England Boxing to boost community engagement using Sport England’s Birmingham 2022 legacy investment
August 9, 2022 | by Matt Halfpenny
England Boxing will be helping more local people and communities to get active off the back of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games – thanks to funding and support from Sport England and the National Lottery.
The £300,000 from Sport England’s Innovation and Digital Fund is part of the body’s £35m investment around Birmingham 2022 and will enable the employment of eight young apprentices that will work across England Boxing’s regions, starting from next week.
The apprentices will help to harness the excitement and interest in the sport generated by the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games by delivering community-based engagement events in partnership with England Boxing-affiliated clubs, opening up pathways for sustained participation in the sport.
Those selected are all aged between 16 and 25 and are passionate about boxing and its power a force for good.
Sport England’s has an overall goal of using Birmingham 2022’s Games to help build a legacy of more active and connected communities not just in the Midlands, but up and down the country, and also help level up access to sport and physical activity.
England Boxing’s Club and Community Manager, Avoen Perryman said: “The apprentices’ involvement with the sport over the next 15 months is going to make a such a hugely positive impact on disadvantaged communities across the country.
“Off the back of a home Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, it will leave a true legacy both in the young people themselves and in the projects they will deliver.”
Tim Hollingsworth, CEO of Sport England said: “The Commonwealth Games have been an incredible platform for the power of sport. It’s brought so many people together – not just in the West Midlands, but all over the country.
“The Games are also an opportunity to create a lasting impact at community level. Legacy comes from hard work and creating the right opportunities and conditions so that people can lead more active lives – now and in the future.
“That’s why our £35million investment into Birmingham 2022 is targeting support to where it is most needed, tackling deep-rooted inequalities to create inclusive opportunities for people to get active and connect in their communities – regardless of their ability, background or bank balance. We want the legacy of #B2022 to be one of a more active and better-connected nation.”
Find out more about Sport England’s Birmingham 2022’s legacy investment by clicking here.
