TEENAGE Tamworth boxer Will Chesterfield will depart Tamworth for Sydney this week to take up an offer to play grade cricket for the Gordon Cricket Club.
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After an outstanding season for his local Old Boys Cricket Club in Tamworth and being named Junior Cricketer of the Year, Chesterfield will take up the opportunity to play Sydney grade cricket for a club that is coached by Trevor Chappell ,and one that has included some of Australia's best cricketers such as former Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist.
Chesterfield, a young man with loads of sporting talent, is also pretty handy with the gloves on.
"I have been training at the local PCYC Boxing Gym for the past 12 months, mainly for fitness and wanting to train with close friends who have been boxing for a number of years," Chesterfield said.
Head coach at the PCYC Boxing Club, Paul Saunders, saw a little something special in Chesterfield and asked the talented teenager if he would like to box competitively.
"Being the natural competitive sportsman that he is, Chesterfield eagerly accepted the offer and stepped up his training and became part of the boxing team and has now had two fights for two wins," Saunders said.
"In his latest bout in Newcastle, Will squared off against a 27-year-old opponent from Cessnock in the Junior Welterweight division (63.5 kilos). His opponent came in 3 kilos over the limit on the scales at the official weigh-in.
“I was confident in Will's ability and allowed the fight to go ahead anyway even though his opponent was now a weight division above. In a very tough and hard fought three rounds and after fighting a very smart fight, Will came away with a very well deserved win via a split points decision and remains undefeated."
Will said "it's been fantastic being able to train with some close friends".
"When I had my first fight, it was addictive, and I was looking forward to my next one which couldn't come around quick enough,” he said.
"I love the sportsmanship shown by everyone I have met and especially the two opponents I have fought. You can trade punches with the guy standing across the ring from you for three rounds and then have a hug and become mates straight after. It's seriously like no other sport that I have been involved with."
He heads to Sydney on Friday, having obtained a transfer in his employment with Baiada. He will be living with Brad and Josh Moncaster in Pennant Hills, which is not far from work and also training at a gym run by Rodney Williams.
"He was the trainer for Lucas Brown, the world title holder," Chesterfield said. He's also excited about the cricketing chance with Gordon, who approached him.
"They have a trial this Saturday too," he said. "Hopefully I'll get a run in that." He's been one of the reasons why his Old Boys club has won the last three first grade premierships.
He's had four seasons of first grade despite his tender age and last season was easily his best where he claimed 62 wickets in all first grade, representative matches and on the Emus' tour of New Zealand.
"That was awesome," he said of the Northern NSW Under 21 side's tour of NZ where he claimed 17 wickets.
He also finished with 26 wickets in first grade too.
"Three in a row," he said of the Old Boys' domination in the top grade.
"I had a great time with Old Boys. They are a great bunch."
Sydney, however, poses new challenges on the cricketing and boxing fronts.