A poll taken of knowledgeable sports-minded people in our county about people who make a huge contribution to sport would surely find Graham Brockway featuring as one of the most influential – and that is why he is the recipient of our ‘Star of the Month’ award for April 2017.
 
Because Graham has been involved in amateur and professional boxing, kick boxing and even body building in his four decades of involvement, as well as encouraging male and female participants to develop a sense of well-being and self-discipline, ably assisted by his wife Gill, who would also be deserving of our ‘Star of the Month’ award for all she does with regard to keep fit for ladies!
 

Leading by example

 
Graham is head coach at Merlins Bridge Amateur Boxing Club, where he is held in awe by his young charges because they recognise how well he looks after them, but always with the emphasis from him of giving 100% and showing respect for others.
 
He also runs the ‘Power Shack’ in Snowdrop Lane, in the county town, where members have their own keys and keep the modern keep-fit machinery at any time, day or night.
 

Well beaten – by a cement-mixer

 
He was a talented young boxer with Pembroke ABC under the early guidance of Roy Witts, winning Welsh titles before turning professional – only to have a promising career ruined by a hand injury sustained in a clash with a cement mixer where for once he came out second best!
 
He then turned to training and quickly earned a reputation with Welsh officials of the day as someone who was highly thought of, turning out Welsh junior champions and setting a high standard for the club.
 

Merlins Bridge turn out top talent

 
He then moved to Merlins Bridge where he has continued to turn out boxers of the calibre of Charlene Jones and Micky McDonagh, both of whom sing his praises as they now train regularly with Welsh and British squads in readiness for possible selection for Commonwealth or Olympic Games.
 
But Graham missed the element of personal competition and joined the kick boxing fraternity, where he became world champion at five different weights as he showed just what a battler he is!
 
Graham still trains regularly to stay fit but it is his massive commitment to his young charges, allied to his belief that they must be looked after and kept safe, which marks him out as a special person and we at PembrokeshireSport.co.uk have always tried to support his shows and other activities because he carries a big flag for our county in all he does sports-wise!