Tackling Inequalities Fund: How we have benefited – Ludus Magnus
November 3, 2020 | by Matt Halfpenny
Ludus Magnus Boxing Club in Doncaster is at the heart of the community with over 100 members of all ages and abilities. After the Coronavirus Pandemic left the club threatened with closure, Club Secretary Leanne Gravil explains how the Sport England-funded Tackling Inequalities Fund has revived the club and allowed activity to continue.
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How the club applied for TIF
I contacted England Boxing’s Yorkshire Club Support Officer, Ashleigh Hurrell, after receiving an email, to discuss our eligibility for the fund and the nature of the support needed to reopen the club.
After reviewing the requirements and priorities for funding, the club completed an application form with the help of Ashleigh, to purchase equipment and resources to make the building COVID-safe and to ensure we could offer a safe and secure environment for our members.
What the funding means to the club
We would like to say a massive thank you to England Boxing and Sport England for supporting our club through the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Simply, without the funding, our club would not have remained open (prior To Thursday’s new government lockdown). Receiving the funding made it possible for us to make the building COVID-safe by placing 10 hand sanitising units around the gym.
We purchased shields for staff to wear, anti-bacterial cleaning wipes and sprays, floor mops that are quick-drying for in between the classes and our steam cleaner, which we have used twice a day.
It also allowed for us to open the gym at a reduced capacity due to social distancing regulations. It made it safe for our members to come back after months of being cooped up in the first lock down.
The mental wellbeing and physical fitness of the children and adults has improved massively since they returned, and we have been so grateful.
The club’s influence on the local community
Ludus Magnus offers a wide range of activities for both adults and young people throughout the week. Alongside our female-only and adult boxing classes, we are best known for our ‘Little Gov’nors’ awards scheme for young boxers who train to complete grades 1-12 throughout their time at the gym.
This programme offers young people a safe environment in which to hone their boxing skills, but also helps with their personal development and self-confidence.
A parent of a club member said: “It’s Fantastic for kids of all ages! My son is four years old and eight months ago he was shy and lacked confidence. He’s like a totally different kid now, he loves going and his confidence is through the roof!”
Once they have completed the programme, they can become a volunteer at the club to help and inspire the younger members.
About the Tackling Inequalities Fund
Roman Boxing Gym is one of more than 65 clubs in some of the country’s most deprived communities to which England Boxing has distributed £150,000 from the Tackling Inequalities Fund, funded by Sport England. All clubs given grants had either received no other funding, or were in a critical situation where other funds had been exhausted.
You can find out more by clicking here, or contact the England Boxing Club Support Officer in your region.
Main image pre COVID-19.
