Barrys Parnell's record as a trainer of boxing champions is a hard one to beat. He trained and mentored 72 Queensland and 27 Australian boxing champions and was rated by many as one of the best ever lightweight amateur boxers of his era.
Barry James Parnell was born on the 1st June 1942 in Brisbane, and went to school at Enoggera State School.
He started boxing aged 10, winning his first championship in 1952. As an amateur he fought a total of 73 fights and won 69 of them, against quality opposition.
In 1966, he formed the Scarborough Boxing Club in a Scarborough converted bird aviary. The club's boxers won four South East Queensland titles and one Golden Glove title, in their first year of competition.
At 26, Barry was appointed trainer for the Australian Championships and held that position for over a decade
In 1970, Barry opened a new club called the Redcliffe Police Youth Boxing Club. New boxers, Mal Challenor, Benny Pike, Des Sykes and Chris Murray joined the club. They competed in the Australian Championships in 1974, winning three gold and one silver medal.
Redcliffe local, Mal Challenor was Australia's first heavyweight to represent Australia at the Commonwealth Games in 1974 in Christchurch.
In 1982 Barry was the assistant manager to the Australian Team at the Commonwealth Games held in Brisbane.
In 1983 Barry opened a new club called The Redcliffe and District Boxing Club. By the end of 1988, Barry's Boxing club had a huge reputation, with 1165 state, national and accumulated 175 gold, 4 silver and bronze medals as well. Both Benny Pyke and Darren Obah had competed in the Olympic Games with Pyke also fighting in two Commonwealth Games as well.
He was appointed Australian Team Trainer in the 1980's.
He retired from boxing in 1998 and passed away in 2008 aged 66.
Redcliffe Citys Boxing facebook page is at:
Barry Parnell is listed on the wall of the Redcliffe Wall of Fame:
A collection of portrait and information honouring the achievements of individuals who have influenced and shaped Redcliffe. The collection is in the Jetty Arcade at 139-141 Redcliffe Parade.
For a complete list of people who appear on the wall click on the following blog post: