Royal Navy boxing stalwart Q Shillingford has taken on the responsibility of coaching the squad full-time for the next three years in an attempt to take the sport to the next level.

He is determined to see sailors and marines take some of the honours at the Commonwealth Games in Australia in March 2006.

The petty officer also wants to form the first female boxing squad in the three Services.

Q has coached the Navy fighters before, but on a part-time basis; now he can devote 100 per cent of his time to the sport for the next three years.

The last three years Q spent guiding boxers in a part-time capacity ended with the squad on a high, with each fighter rated in the top ten of their weight category. Five of them earned international vests, and two reached ABA national finals.

Beyond nurturing the team, Q wants to promote grass-roots boxing in the Navy, and part of that initiative will see HMS Nelson’s gym open to community projects and sailors and Royal Marines who want to get fit, once the RN team has finished its training at 4pm.

Monday evenings will see local 12-16 year-olds from disadvantaged backgrounds trying their luck in the ring.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, the gym will be opened to all-comers, and Wednesday evenings will be dedicated to female boxers.

“Navy boxers and coaches will be on hand to give advice and help to anyone wishing to use boxing as a way of losing weight, toning up and building up self-confidence – and preparing for the fitness test,” said Q.

“The staff of Nelson gym have been very supportive of Naval boxing, as has the boxing coaching administrator in ensuring there is a club in every Naval base, as well as qualified coaches.

“The coaches within the Service are very professional and dedicated to the sport.”

Not content with giving support to Senior Service boxers, Q also found himself on national TV in Dominica in the Caribbean during the summer, promoting the sport on the island.

The first step towards the Commonwealth Games will be ‘talent spotting’ at the Portsmouth Area championships today (tickets available from HMS Nelson’s OOW).

Anyone interested in becoming a boxing official should call CPO Jaz Jarry on 9375 67710, while potential boxers should call Steve Penberthy on 9380 26718 or Q on 9380 24290.