Photograph of the RGS Boxing Team c.1930s. William Cuthbertson (ON 1928-35) is pictured third from the left on the back row. He joined RGS as a teacher in 1947 and coached the boxing team. [RGS Archives, Sports 8 Album]
Boxing
It may be difficult to imagine today, but boxing was once a compulsory part of sporting life at RGS, especially during the mid-20th century.
Boxing at RGS had origins in the 1890s at our Rye Hill site.
A Boxing Club was established in 1929. Under the leadership of dedicated teachers like Donald Meaken (RGS 1924-65), Bill Cuthbertson (ON 1928-35 and staff 47-74), and later Michael Anthony ‘Tony’ Griffiths MBE (RGS 1969-02 and 05-06), boxing was regarded not only as a physical challenge but also as a way to build self-discipline and confidence in boys of all sizes and abilities. Matches were carefully matched by weight and skill to ensure safety, and the annual Removes’ boxing finals were a major highlight, drawing large crowds of enthusiastic students. The RGS Boxing team toured London regularly, competing against other schools and military colleges, often achieving strong results while emphasizing skill over brute force.
Photograph of an RGS v Ampleforth College boxing match, Novo magazine April 1954. RGS Archives [ref: RGS/NOV/259]
Over time, however, the landscape of school boxing changed dramatically as fewer schools maintained boxing programmes and logistical challenges made continuing the sport difficult. Despite efforts to arrange bouts with clubs like the West End Boys’ Club, boxing eventually disappeared from RGS around 1979.
Rules booklet for the RGS Boxing Club, c.1930s. Walton Telfer Papers. RGS Archives [ref: RGS/ONS/3]
Boxing Team, 1930-31. From Novo Magazine, July 1931. RGS Archives [ref: RGS/NOV/191]
Photograph of the RGS Boxing Team 1931. RGS Archives [ref: Sports 8 Album]