Midlands boxing coaching leading inclusive sessions

A determined Midlands boxing coach is proving that her physical disability is no barrier.

Wendy Hurst, of Warley ABC, secured her England Boxing level one coaching lanyard last month at Tamworth Boxing Club.

She was part of the Fight Like A Girl programme that enabled 10 new female coaches to attend a women-only coaching course.

And she is now putting her gym’s attendees – which include England Boxing National Schools Championships 2019 finalist Tayla Spooner – through their paces.

“I just love it – it’s so much fun – and it’s like a family down at the club, with everyone willing to help you,” she said.

“People say boxing is a lone sport, but everyone is trying to do exactly the same thing. I’d like to see boxing become more inclusive as a whole in the future.

“Physical access is progressing in leaps and bounds at the clubs, and Warley’s willingness to listen to my opinions on how to improve further makes me quite proud.

“We want to open the sport up to other members of the community regardless of disability. Offering boxing for the disabled is an inexact science as everybody will have different needs and capabilities, but I’m sure it is possible.

“A long time ago somebody said I had to lower my expectations in life. That person was very wrong.”

Earlier this summer, Wendy attended the Accessible Community Games in Sutton Coldfield, where she helped to showcase boxing at Warley.

She has also assisted in the development of the programme that sees the club deliver inclusive activities in the local community.

Head Coach John Nash added: “We had a phone call a few months go from Wendy asking us if we did disabled boxing. I told her we didn’t but that there was no reason why we couldn’t.

“So we invited her down and she has gone from strength to strength. She’s gets her points over very, very well. She has shown that there is no reason why anyone can’t become a coach.”

Find out more about Warley ABC and their club activities via their Facebook page.