Club case study: Mercia striving to teach discipline and skills in safe space

Since its formation last year, Mercia Boxing Club have expanded their work greatly – and has plans to widen their reach still further in the future.

About the club

Mercia Boxing Club was founded by Don and Emma Howes in 2021 and, after teaching their own children to box from an early age, and Don having boxed himself, they saw the benefits of teaching young people to box.

Don and Emma decided to reach out and provide boxing classes to the wider community within and around Tamworth.

They have sought to provide the very best coaching for the members of the club; and this has been proven in several wins during competitive amateur bouts.

What they do

Mercia Boxing Club strive to provide a space for children and young people to learn the discipline and skills involved with boxing.

Boxing is well recognised as being excellent in helping children focus and learn values that can help them through mental health issues and become physically fitter in the process.

Getting children into boxing has also helped to create a safe community within and outside of the club.

Providing children with a space to go after school in the evenings, or on the weekends, has not only benefited their boxing skills, but their social lives too, providing purpose and goals to work towards.

The club’s goals

Mercia Boxing club are keen to expand its classes to a wider range of people within the community.

The aim is to expand from solely teaching children aged 11 to 17 to a more diverse group of people such as women only, adults and elderly fitness classes.

In turn that will help the club achieve its goal of being a proactive member of the community, allowing people to interact and enjoy spending time with others and learning about other individuals within our society.

Alongside this, Mercia are also keen to create successful competitive athletes that can challenge on the national amateur stage.

Raising money via crowdfunding

Mercia’s current boxing ring set-up is only temporary, meaning it requires setting up every time they want to use it.

That’s why they have teamed up with Sport England’s Places and Spaces Programme – which has provided £7,500 of funding – in a bid to raise £15,000 that can help them improve their facilities and but more equipment.

Part of the club’s vision is to be as inclusive as possible and extra funding would enable them to purchase equipment such as, gloves and head guards for boxers who may be disadvantaged, as well as provide subsidised classes for members who need it.

Commonwealth Games 2022 – united with Birmingham

With Birmingham being just a short trip down the motorway from Tamworth, the club are about welcoming the Commonwealth Games 2022 to their local area.

They hope that when amateur boxing is broadcast to a wider audience it will inspire young people and children to get involved in boxing, whether they aspire to compete internationally or simply want to get fitter or off the street.

As part of the big occasion, the club plan to host a boxing fun day alongside the Commonwealth Games to get the whole community involved.

Pledging your support

If you can help Mercia reach their fundraising total, please click here.

Find out more

To learn more about the club please go to their website, Facebook page or Instagram page.