England Boxing’s new hubs selected as part of Inclusive Boxing Programme

A total of 19 clubs have been chosen to be hubs for England Boxing’s new Inclusive Boxing Programme.

They have been drawn from across England and will be funded to deliver inclusive sessions within their clubs, subject to successfully completing a training day.

In all, 46 clubs initially applied, underlining an increasingly widespread desire from clubs to make themselves accessible to everyone.

Funding to begin inclusive sessions will be sent out early in the New Year.

“Boxing inspires and transforms lives, and it is a sport for all with no barriers, and the Inclusive Boxing Programme is going to showcase this.” said Alicia Winbolt, who is leading on this programme for England Boxing.

“It is great that there will now be clubs up and down the country providing opportunities for people of all ages and abilities, and with varying health conditions.

“I am so excited for the clubs to start these sessions and for us to expand this programme across more and more clubs in the future.”

England Boxing Inclusive hubs

• Waterfront ABC (East Midlands)
• Fusion Boxing Club (East Midlands, pictured above)
• Frank Bruno Boxing Academy (East Midlands)
• Ipswich Boxing Club (Eastern Counties)
• Bedfordshire Elite (Home Counties)
• Hoddesdon Boxing Academy (Home Counties)
• Wildcard Boxing Club (Merseyside and Cheshire)
• Timperley Community Boxing Club (North West Region)
• Sporting Chance (Tyne, Tees and Wear)
• Billingham Boxing Academy (Tyne, Tees and Wear, pictured below)
• Seconds Out Boxing Academy (Tyne, Tees and Wear)
• Newquay Boxing Academy (Western Counties)
• Broadplain Police ABC (Western Counties)
• Truro Boxing Club (Western Counties)
• Magic Boxing Academy (Yorkshire)
• Saif’s Boxing and Fitness (Yorkshire)
• Hunslet Club (Yorkshire)
• West Kingsdown Boxing (Southern Counties)
• City of Hereford Boxing (Midlands)

‘Becoming an inclusive hub is really important to us’

“Becoming an inclusive hub is not only really important to us but a privilege and we are really looking forward to representing England Boxing and expanding the work we currently do,” said Lisa Worth of Billingham Boxing Academy.

“Our current All-Stars class is for children and young people with special educational needs, disabilities and anyone who just needs a little bit of time and extra support.

“The class is so special not just to our young people and parents but also to the coaches. We are so passionate about boxing and being inclusive for all.

“It often only takes a few small changes to make each class fun filled and accessible for each individual. This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of.”

‘Extra knowledge will put us in a better position’

Wayne Bloy, Head Coach at Fusion Boxing Club, added: “The training provided was very useful for us at Fusion, where we aim to expand our provision to the community and be ‘all inclusive’, so the extra knowledge gained will put us in a better position moving forward.”

‘Thanks for giving us our lives back’

“We have delivered a Parkinson’s non-contact boxing group for the last three-and-a-half years and we will, of course, be continuing this programme,” said Dennis Stinchcombe of Broadplains Boxing Club.

“With the support of England Boxing and becoming an inclusive hub, we will now also be able to increase our sessions for people with other neurological conditions that would benefit from our delivery.

“The one overall statement that comes across from all of our participants has been ‘Thanks for giving us our lives back’, helping them gain in Confidence, self-esteem, fitness and, very importantly, social integration with like-affected peers.

“My Coaches and I see that the work we have done with these people has been an absolute privilege and we cannot wait to expand this.”

Find out more

More information about Inclusive Boxing can be found on England Boxing’s new Inclusive Boxing Page by clicking here.