Boxing clubs can support mental health

ENGLAND BOXING clubs can access a new programme that uses the sport to help young people overcome behavioural issues and mental health problems.

The programme has been pioneered by Empire Fighting Chance, the charity developed by the Empire Amateur Boxing Club in Bristol, which over its history has adopted an impressive approach to addressing school exclusion as well as anti-social and criminal behaviour among young people.

Now clubs affiliated to England Boxing can receive free support and a training package delivered by the Empire Fighting Chance team. This will consist of a two-day in-person training course on how to deliver and sell these programmes and record information required to secure additional funding. Support will be ongoing, including refresher in-person training, remote help and advice, regional manager support visits, sales assistance and data collection guidance along with all supporting course materials.

“With the huge impact that the Covid-19 pandemic has had, there has never been a more important time for us to help young people through the challenges they face,” said Charlie Ford, head of community development at England Boxing.

“As hubs of their local communities, boxing clubs are in a unique place to help with this, and the expertise provided by Empire Fighting Chance will equip them with specific knowledge of how to do that.

“We would urge clubs to take up this opportunity as, together, we can make a substantial and long-lasting difference by helping to shape what young people do out of the ring, as well as in it.”

To express an interest in joining the initial group of clubs who will receive support from Empire Fighting Chance, do complete an expression of interest form that can be found here by Friday September 24. Selected clubs will be contacted in the week commencing October 4.

“We are hugely excited by this new partnership with England Boxing,” Martin Bisp and Jamie Sanigar, co-founders of Empire Fighting Chance, stated. “We have innovated and developed our programmes for the past 15 years, transitioning from an amateur boxing club to a sustainable charity.

“We are proud to now share our work with amateur boxing clubs across England, with a vision of improving the social impact that boxing can offer their communities.

“Boxing can, and does, change lives, but now we have an opportunity to take it to the next level and improve the support to those young people most in need.”