The Sports Council for Wales has unveiled that they have awarded Penyrheol Amateur Boxing Club in Gorseinon with a National Lottery grant of £35,000 which will go towards the cost of building brand new premises.

The club is trying to raise £105,000 in total towards the construction of a new building as well as facilities and equipment. The premises are projected to be twice the size of the existing clubhouse and will be able to attract and accommodate more members.

Ex-European boxing champion Colin Jones is the head coach at the club. He explains, "This grant will go a long way in turning the club’s dream into a reality and we’re very grateful to the Sports Council for awarding us this grant.

"The club is currently bursting at the seams. At the moment, some members have to be turned away just because there’s no room for them but with the new build, not only will we be able to increase membership but also develop and improve their skills and abilities."

Jones has only this week returned from Lithuania with the GB development boxing squad where four boys competed in an eastern European international tournament which saw Fred Evans of Wales return with a gold medal and will be one to watch at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Current members at the club are mostly male, but through the improved facilities, the club will aim to hold boxercise classes to encourage more women and girls to the club.

Any organisation looking to get more people, more active, more often – either through new activities or by raising current standards are eligible to apply for SCW funding.

Chief of the Sports Council for Wales, Philip Carling said:

"With the funding and support from the Welsh Assembly Government and the National Lottery, the Sports Council for Wales is helping to transform the sporting landscape in Wales. The considerable investment into community sport, facilities, equipment and coaches has impacted on communities throughout the principality and is helping to raise participation rates across the board."