Schools Aba Tel: 01984 632537
21 Five Bells, Watchet, Somerset TA23 0HZ

The formation of the London Schools ABA in 1922 marked the first real attempt to secure the welfare of the school boxer.  School Associations followed in some of the larger cities and towns – Birmingham, Liverpool, Leeds, and Brighton – but they were not in association with each other.

On July 19th 1946 a largely attended meeting decided to form a Schools Amateur Boxing Association and in December 1946 the first national finals took place at the Dome in Brighton. By 1953 the Schools Championships had become so popular that the nationwide entry totalled 53,000 boys with spectators (children, teachers, relatives and fans) almost filling the vast Wembley Arena.

From the early 1960's challenges to the sport of boxing emanated from many quarters. Basing their arguments on the medical conditions suffered by some boxers in the professional ranks, who had quite literally fought for their supper following the second world war, the less demanding amateur code suffered due to ill informed comparisons and was subsequently removed from the school curriculum.
Throughout the 70's, 80's and 90's amateur boxing continued to flourish with boxers, now training at established boxing clubs, being chosen to represent their school in the SABA Championships where victory in the national final was viewed as the pinnacle of a junior boxers career.
SABA continued to run their annual championships which produced many noted champions including Richie Woodhall, Amir Khan and James Degale, but the abandonment of boxing as an accepted competitive school sport required a complete re-think and SABA rose to the challenge. After a concerted campaign SABA were solely responsible for gaining recognition for the sport of boxing as an assessed activity at AS and A level in Physical Education.
With the breakdown of discipline, the onset of child obesity and a need for a credible exciting alternative to highly favoured but tired sports, SABA set about redefining the scoring methods and regulations governing schools amateur boxing. The result is a structured programme with Bronze, Silver and Gold awards designed to meet the needs of school age boxers that includes ‘Non Contact Boxing’ a focused and enjoyable introduction to training, 'SABA Skillspars' a new and innovative approach that removes hostile aggression and focuses on the technical aspects of the noble art and ‘Contact Boxing’ for those who wish to progress to open competition.