Sparring and Strategy: WCDP Hosts Hands-On Workshop

The Women’s Coach Development Programme Coaches gathered on Sunday (13th Oct) at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield for a sparring and video analysis workshop.

Both coaches and mentors were invited, and were encouraged to bring along boxers from their own gyms to enhance the learning experience.

Throughout the day, coaches were guided by mentors as they led technical, conditioned, and open sparring sessions. Each group introduced conditions, technical and open where appropriate into the sessions, to make it beneficial from a development perspective for all involved. Open rounds were also recorded for video analysis, allowing for in-depth discussions of tactics, which were then applied in subsequent rounds.

Kate Newton, England Boxing Development and Rathbone ABC Coach, led the day as part of the ongoing commitment to coach development and leadership within the programme.

Programme Lead, Laura Sargeant expressed her pride, saying,: “I am so proud of how much these coaches have progressed over the short period of time that we have been working with them. By placing them in real life boxing scenarios and being able to adapt their coaching to the situations and working with boxers they don’t know has really brought the best out in them.

I feel they now have more confidence in their ability to be able take on any challenges that may come their way. It’s great to see them embracing the tasks and putting themselves out of their comfort zones. They have really bonded as a group, all support each other and hopefully will continue to do so.

Kate did an amazing job planning and delivering the session. It’s great to see that the mentors are continuously striving to be the best version of themselves, stepping up and volunteering to take the lead.” 

Sargeant also extended her gratitude to Sherri and her boxers from White Rose ABC, whose participation helped make the sparring sessions as realistic and beneficial as possible for the coaches.

She went on to praise the mentors—alumni of previous Women’s Coach Development Programmes—for their exceptional dedication. “The mentors have been outstanding, going above and beyond to help their mentees grow. This programme provides them with an ongoing platform to enhance their own knowledge and leadership skills. They are an essential part of the programme, and I want to thank them for their unwavering commitment and support.”