When Ed Woollard had his arm raised aloft by the referee in the Welsh Novices' boxing championships in Swansea it was fitting reward for his dedication to training and perseverance at Merlin’s Bridge Amateur Boxing Club.
 
Sharing Ed's delight were his parents, Liz and Steve, who had his coveted Welsh vest, awarded to all winners straight after their success, framed for him as a Christmas present with a difference.
 

Supportive coach Graham was delighted

 
Also thrilled was his coach, Graham Brockway, who had been in Ed's corner and had helped him stay calm and very focussed - and Ed would be very quick to single out Graham for the way that he has helped Ed throughout his time at the Merlin’s Bridge ABC gym.
 
"Graham has never tried to hurry me into the ring during my time at the club," Ed told us, "and during the times I just wanted to go along and train to keep fit, it was fine with him.
 
"But once I told him I wanted to give boxing a try, no-one could have been more helpful or supportive."
 

Looking back nine years

 
In fact, Ed's first experience in the ring came as long ago as 2006, when he was only 18, and had two bouts, the first an exhibition contest so that he could get used to the rigours of the ring.

“That bout took place in a home show at The Pavilion on Withybush Aerodrome,” Ed told us, “and I was amazed at how quickly the three rounds flew by. I didn't really have a glove laid on me and I was very positive about carrying on.
 
"Then I had my first competitive bout on a show in Swansea and I was far more nervous than I ever thought possible - and by the end of the first round I was totally drained of energy and it felt like my feet were embedded in wet cement.
 
"How I managed to finish the three rounds I just don't know, although I was still disappointed at losing on a split decision (by two judges to one) - but relieved to have got through it relatively unscathed!"
 

Off to pastures new

 
But further progress was halted as Ed decided to take a break as he went to Thailand and Australia with great friends Gethin Roberts and Lee Palmer, where he was only able to go to a gym occasionally because of the high cost.
 
"We were really enjoying the experience of new cultures," Ed told us, "but then came the terrible news that Gethin's dad Derek, a great character on the local football scene, had passed away.
 
"Gethin and Lee returned home immediately but I couldn't afford the new air fare at the time and so after the crazy, beautiful place that is Thailand I worked in the construction industry in Sydney to accumulate some cash - and there were times I was certainly out of my comfort zone."
 

Back home – and a warm welcome back to boxing

 
When Ed eventually returned to this country he decided that he was ready for another challenge and decided that he would like to give amateur boxing another chance - so he popped along to Merlin’s Bridge ABC and was delighted to receive such a warm welcome from head coach Graham Brockway and his assistants Kim Baker and Mark Jenkins.
 
That was in January 2015 and Ed set himself the target of getting fit for the club's own show in Letterston during February.
 

Hard work in training

 
It was hard going at first because Ed had to increase his training regime so that it included skipping or shadow boxing as a means of warming up before the dreaded 'Ton Up Board' which demands the boxers do ten sets of ten exercises like press ups, squat thrusts, sit ups and burpees.
 
"These are followed by sprinting on the spot, light bag work, heavy pad works and practice on the pads held by one of the coaches," said Ed, "and then we have sparring in the ring to finish up the main part of the session, followed by a few core exercises to warm down.

"It might seem torture, especially since I train five times a week, but such is the enthusiasm that Graham puts into us that I even go for an early morning run on any days off from work I have!"
 

Delight and disappointment on his return to action

 
His return to action at Letterston saw Ed gain a unanimous points' verdict over an opponent from Swansea, but there was disappointment in his next bout, at The Pavilion, when he suffered a split-decision defeat that was greeted with disbelief and then derision from the partisan home crowd.

"It was a bit of a body blow," admitted Ed, "because I thought I had boxed well but in hindsight perhaps I should have shown a little more aggression to catch the judges' eyes a little more.
 

Looking forward – with support from mum

 
"But I learned a great deal about myself that evening because it just made me all the more determined to improve in future bouts and with Graham I decided it was the right time to enter the Welsh Novice Championships.
 
"I weighed 74kgs at the time and wanted to enter the 67kgs category so it meant more training - and my mother was brilliant in preparing me the right food to allow me to lose weight but keep my core strength."
 

Looking sharp throughout championships

 
Ed's plan paid off in full because by the time he turned up for his quarter final bout he was looking sharp and gained a unanimous points' decision - and a week later he was back at the same Swansea venue to win his semi-final, toughest bout ever, on a split 2-1 verdict of the judges.
 
Another seven days saw Ed back for the final and this time he ensured a positive verdict from all three judges to take the title - and the chance to celebrate a terrific performance!
 

Looking forward

 
And now Ed is looking for further tests in the ring which include another appearance on the home show in the near future, followed later in the year by the chance of claiming another Welsh vest.
 
"I really enjoy being involved at Merlin’s Bridge because there is a great camaraderie where everyone is expected to achieve their best and receive every encouragement to do just that.
 
"The boxing ring is a lonely place if you are not fit and we need self-discipline to succeed," Ed told us, "and no-one could give more of his time than Graham Brockway.”
 

And finally . . .

 
It seems the admiration is mutual because Mr Brockway told us,
"I am very proud of Ed's achievements because I know how hard he has had to work. He is a shining example to our youngsters on how to conduct yourself in the gym and in the ring - and how commitment brings success."
 
We could pay Ed Woollard no greater compliment and we can only join his coach in wishing him every success because he is a shining example of the good that amateur boxing does in local sport.