At ten years of age Kyle O'Sullivan is continuing the family tradition of being a good footballer but is also doing exactly the same in amateur boxing as an exciting young prospect with Merlins Bridge ABC.
 
Kyle has already had four exhibition bouts before he reached the minimum age to take up the sport in earnest and was more recently involved in his first two official bouts to get his boxing career well and truly under way.
 

High praise from coach Graham

 
He is coached by Graham Brockway, who is full of praise for his young charge:
"Kyle travels to Merlins Bridge from Goodwick with his father Wayne, who is now waiting to attend a course which will earn him his trainer's licence so that he can put his wealth of experience as a double Welsh champion to good use, whilst Kyle's older brother Alex (14)  is hugely regarded as a current Welsh champ and one of the best boxers in the UK at his age, who has won most of his 18 bouts and has added some serious punching power to his undoubted ring craft over recent months.
 
"All three attend the gym three evenings a week and Kyle enjoys every minute of his time there - and is so keen that on other occasions, when Alex is running three miles, Kyle has his own one-mile course that has been specially chosen by dad around the streets near the family home."
 

Family matters start with mum Moira . . .

 
Looking after the three men in her life is Kyle's mum Moira, who is ever-ready to act as unofficial chauffeur and organises everything that needs doing so that they can get on with their sport.
"Mum is great," said Kyle, and the other two nod in agreement!
 
It is also worth recording the fact that Kyle's uncle Chris was also a Welsh Champion as well as being a well-known football player and manager with Haverfordwest County and Goodwick United, whilst Wayne's cousin Kevin also used to box and his son Mikey (10) has also started out in the ring, but with Cardigan ABC.
 

. . . And covers three generations!

 
"It is great that Mikey also loves boxing," Wayne told us, "and sometimes he comes down to Merlins Bridge so that he can spar with Kyle and the pair have really become good pals with this shared sporting interest.”
 
There is also a third generation of O'Sullivans involved because Kyle's grandfather Terry and great uncle Dacka were also useful pugilists in their time, and both are great supporters for Kyle, which he really loves.
 

Other sports . . .

 
Outside of his boxing, Kyle is a very keen all-round sportsman and as well as being a useful swimmer takes part in school sports at Ysgol Casmael in Puncheston, representing the school football team, which won an inter-school competition in Wolfscastle, as a tough-tackling defender.
 
Kyle used to play at the back for Goodwick United junior sides but when the Phoenix Park club didn't have enough players in his age group he was invited to play for Prendergast Villa, who are coached by John Priestley and Chris Morris.
"I really like playing there," said Kyle, "and before the season started we won a tournament at Pennar Robins.
 

. . . Including football success

 
"I was also picked for trials with the Haverfordwest County Academy squad and I'm looking forward to that, although it makes for more travel for mum and dad!"
 
But not content with that little lot, Kyle is also a member of the Swansea City Development Squad centred on the facilities at Tasker Milward Astroturf, with Ceri Phillips as coach, and we play against all the other Swansea City development squads.
 
They recently took on the main Swansea City Development Squad at the Swans' training session at Fairwood and although they lost 5-2 it was Kyle's considered opinion that it had been a good game!
 

Early start – and setting his first show alight!

 
Back on the boxing front, Kyle initially started out by  nagging dad to let him go to watch Alex train and at eight years of age was allowed to start training under the watchful eye of coach Brockway, who told us,
"Kyle took to it from the start and he has improved out of all recognition because he not only has the family talent but listens to all the advice we give him – he is like a sponge soaking it up!”
 
Kyle’s first exhibition bout took place during a club show in Letterston Village Hall as he took on Adrian Lawrence (Cardigan ABC) during the interval, where seats ringside are traditionally empty – but such was the entertainment provided by two eager youngsters that fans flocked back to watch and had it been a full bout it would surely have vied for ‘Best Bout of the Night’ trophies!
 

Gaining experience now

 
He has also been back to Letterston a second time and again produced a terrific performance and both boxers received their trophies since there is no choosing a winner at that level, and twice in Swansea for exhibition bouts at the Parkhouse Hotel.
 
Then it was on to his first full contest, which took place on a Cardigan ABC show at Crymych Leisure Centre against an English opponent called James Golding, from top club Pinewood Stars.
He lost narrowly on points but, said dad Wayne, he took it well and has since worked even harder in the gym.
 
“My second fight was in Neath against Emmanuel Sederenko (Premier ABC, Swansea), Kyle told us, “and he was given a standing count in the third round before I was announced as unanimous winner on points.
 
“I was really chuffed and that’s my favourite trophy so far,” he added with a typical chuckle!
 

And finally . . .

 
Now Kyle has two more bouts in prospect, hopefully this month if he is matched up with a suitable opponent at the Premier ABC show and then at Merlins Bridge’s home show in Letterston, in June.
 
“He can’t wait for them to come,” said Wayne, “and we are just happy that he is doing lots to be a fit young feller and with huge gloves, gumshield and head guard. Moira and I never push him – we just want him to enjoy his sport as much as I have.”
 
Just chat to Kyle Sullivan for a short while, as we did, and it is easy to see his enthusiasm and commitment, but also his modest approach to all he does in sport – and we wish him lots more sporting enjoyment, in and out of the ring!