Powerday boosts future champions with annual boxing bursaries

The next generation of boxers received a significant boost this week as Powerday, London’s leading independent waste management company, announced its series of bursaries for 2024/25 through its charitable arm, The Powerday Foundation.

With the Olympic Games on the horizon, 10 aspiring boxers from clubs in London were awarded 12-month grants to help them achieve their dreams of competing at a professional level.

Now in its 9th year, this scheme – the only commercial bursary of its kind – was created to support ambitious amateur boxers.

Since 2015, it has helped more than 80 youngsters achieve their potential at regional, national, and international levels, including Matchroom’s own, Giorgio Visioli and Jimmy Sains, as well as Olympic Bronze Medalist, Caroline Dubois – and World Junior Silver Medalist, Damar Thomas.

This year, ten recipients were presented with their bursaries by former WBA Super-Middleweight World Champion, George Groves.

Over the next 12 months, the funding will enable these elite young boxers to continue their training, purchase top-quality equipment and travel to key national and international championships.

The 2024 Powerday Boxing Bursary winners are:

• Billy Dean Smith (Repton Boxing Club)
• Demi Rose Greenidge (Islington Boxing Club)
• Dorian Scamardella (Islington Boxing Club)
• Finny Baker (Rainham Boxing Club)
• George Ralph (Rainham Boxing Club)
• George Francis (Repton Boxing Club)
• Humza Malik (Repton Boxing Club)
• Jamie Barrett (Powerday Hooks Boxing Club)
• Lily Dolling (Harrow Boxing Club)
• Tommy Catanach (Newham Boxing Club)

Speaking to assembled media, Powerday CEO, Edward Crossan, was keen to express the importance of supporting the next generation to achieve their full potential.

“As a London-based, family-owned company, we are committed to making a positive difference in the lives of people living in the capital. Our bursary is a key part of our community engagement, playing an invaluable role in helping young Londoners realise their potential,” said Crossan.

“While the top end of the sport is now well-funded, particularly for athletes within high-performance programmes, our bursary scheme aims to bridge the gap between regional and international standards and funding,” he continued.

“Boxing clubs provide local communities with many positive messages and lessons. We look forward to working with this year’s bursary winners and hope they will reach the levels of excellence and high performance that our previous award winners have achieved.”

Chairman of London Boxing, Lenny Hagland, was also in attendance and could hardly hide his delight as ten more boxers from the capital received such generous support from Powerday.

“While there is strong support at the top of high performance in British sport, small margins can make a significant difference to young aspiring boxers. The Powerday Foundation Boxing Bursary offers essential funding to those needing further support to fulfill their potential and achieve international standards,” stated Hagland.

“We thank Mick and Edward Crossan of Powerday for this unique investment in our young athletes and their continued support through the Powerday Foundation and Development Programme, which underpins the club system in the hardest-to-reach and most marginalised estates across London.”