GEORDIE Jon-Lewis Dickinson has scooped two prestigious boxing awards. Dickinson was voted the Tyneside Senior Boxer of the Year at the Tyneside Ex-Boxers Association annual awards night after winning the ABA national cruiserweight title – and his own club Birtley made it a double when he received their Chairman’s Cup. The Ex-Boxers also honoured two of Dickinson’s Birtley team-mates. Billy Dean Dolan was named Best Junior for lifting the national Golden Belt title and going on to win the Tri-Nations competition in Edinburgh. Martin Ward was recognised as Best Gateshead Senior for a terrific first year at that level, when he became an ABA quarter-finalist. Dolan also completed a double at his club night, taking the Hedley Cup for best junior. Head coach Ronnie Rowe, who also went full-time during the last year, said: “When you consider Dolan is only 15, Ward 19 and Dickinson 20, you can see Birtley has a great present and a very promising future. “We won four national titles and the club is bombing along at both junior and senior level.” The other awards presented at Birtley’s club night were: JUNIORS – Steven Moore Shield: Tom Coleman. Tom Morgan Shield: Tommy Ward. Benjamin Greenfield Trophy for Junior Team Captain: Callum Graham. Most Improved Boxer: Luke Major. SENIORS – Baldwin Cup: Richie Boyle. Jack McLean Shield: Paul Wheatley. Henderson Cup for Senior Team Captain: Craig Dixon. Best Performance of the Year: Thomas Whitfield. Club Person of the Year: Travis Randell. The extent of Birtley’s success was further underlined by junior Tommy Ward, who never lost a fight and won a national title, and senior Craig Dixon, who won nine of his 10 bouts in the year as well as being recognised internationally. However, Birtley reward fighters for all levels of achievement and Thomas Whitfield took the Best Performance trophy for winning his comeback fight after breaking his jaw in the ABA Championships. Birtley are running a six-week holiday scheme for kids with their gym open daily from 10am until 3pm. They are also running an ABA kids gloves award scheme. | 
