Stagecoach is helping a North East boxing school train more young people to Olympic standard by donating a number of free bus passes to coaches.

Top North East boxer Glenn McCrory is working on his Olympic dream by bringing the best of world boxing to the region.

But his coaches, including a number from Cuba, need to travel around the area to train young boxers to achieve Glenn’s ambition to help the youth of Newcastle reach Olympic standard in amateur boxing.

The bus passes mean the coaches have a lot more flexibility and freedom to travel the region and Stagecoach was delighted to offer support to the scheme.

Alberto Gonzalez Caturla and Alberto Perez Basnueva are already training in the gym on Newbiggin Hall.  The pair were part of the Cuban boxing team that won 48 medals in just seven Olympic games.

Alberto Gonzalez contested 152 bouts, losing only 12 until hand injuries cut his career short but he continued his passion for the sport. Nearly 20 years and several national and international champions later, his passion for boxing remains as strong as ever. Several members of the current Cuban team who are chasing world and Olympic titles are former students of Alberto.

Alberto Perez contested 212 bouts losing only eight. He was a member of the Cuban national team for the first ever world championships held in Havana and also competed with the national team worldwide. He is also the trainer responsible for the Cuban medallists of the Montreal and Moscow Olympic games – Andres Aldama, Orlando Martinez and Jose Gomez.

The third coach receiving a bus pass is Mickey Duncan, who competed as a junior boxer during the 1980s when he took part in some 40 contests. Mickey also spent time as a professional boxer, travelling around Europe to compete. He even had a contest with British boxing legend Lloyd Honeghan.

Glenn McCrory, says the bus passes will make the coaches more mobile in the area: “It gives them more freedom and flexibility and is an excellent support to our bid to bring Olympic standard boxing and training to Newcastle."

Robin Knight, Commercial Manager for Stagecoach, adds: “We are pleased to do what we can to support this excellent initiative which benefits young people in Newcastle. What Glenn McCrory is doing is quite remarkable and we are delighted to be able help."