England Boxing wants everyone to feel welcome when taking part in the sport – whether as a boxer, coach, official, volunteer, parent, spectator or in some other capacity – regardless of background, ethnicity, age, gender, beliefs or any disability a person may have.
While amateur boxing is celebrated as an inclusive sport, we as a national governing body recognised that we can and must do more to ensure there is equal opportunity for all.
Review and working group
As a result, in 2020, England Boxing set up a working group to help improve its diversity and inclusiveness, which in turn commissioned a review led by London Club Support Officer Bevis Allen.
The review made seven key recommendations, which you can read by clicking here. You can also read the full report by clicking here.
In June 2021, England Boxing also announced it was establishing a new Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Sub-committee, to be chaired by Michael Norford, which will report in to the board.
Raising a concern
England Boxing does not tolerate discrimination of any kind. If you want to report an incident involving any form of discrimination, please contact, in confidence, the England Boxing Compliance department.
You can do so by emailing safeguarding@englandboxing.org.
Ramadan 2023
Please see the infographic for information on how boxers and clubs can support fellow members who are observing Ramadan, which lasts from the evening of Wednesday 22nd March to the evening of Friday 21st April.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting, prayer, reflection and community.
Cultural calendar dates 2023
This list is not exhaustive and should act as a guide only.
| Date | Event |
| 1-Jan | New Year’s Day |
| 22-Jan | Chinese (Lunar) New Year |
| 27-Jan | Holocaust Memorial Day |
| February | LGBT History Month |
| 8-Mar | International Women’s Day |
| 17-Mar | St Patrick’s Day |
| 22-Mar | Ramadan (30 days) |
| 6-Apr | Passover (8 days) |
| 7-Apr | Good Friday |
| 9-Apr | Easter Sunday |
| 22-Apr | Eid at Fitr (Ramadan ends) |
| 1-May | Deaf Awareness Week |
| 13-May | Mental Health Awareness Week |
| 26-May | Vesak (Buddha Day) |
| 22-Jun | Windrush Day |
| October | Black History Month |
| 11-Nov | Remembrance Day |
| 12-Nov | Diwali |
| 3-Dec | International Day for people with Disabilities |
| 25-Dec | Christmas Day |
Inclusive opportunities
Boxing
Women’s Aspire Programme
The programme was set up to give more opportunities from women and girls across the England Boxing regions to come together at the home of English and British amateur boxing, The Lion’s Den in Sheffield, to help expand and grow the pool of female boxers within the sport, both recreationally and competitively.
Boxers are chosen by each region for the sessions, which are typically three times a year and feature a different theme each time.
For more information email: laura.sargeant@englandboxing.org
England Boxing Community Inclusion Clubs
In autumn 2021, a total of 20 England Boxing Community Inclusion Clubs were established at boxing clubs spread across the country, each focusing on a specialist area.
You can find the full list of them, and where they can be found geographically, by clicking here.
For more information, email: alicia.winbolt@englandboxing.org
Coaching
Women’s Coach Development Programme
Set up in 2021, the Women’s Coach Development Programme aims to improve both the number and standard of women coaches across the country.
The programme features both online sessions and practical sessions at a residential weekend, where ideas, skills and best practice are exchanged.
A WhatsApp group helps bond the group together and those who have passed through the programme are encouraged to help mentor the next generation of coaches.
For more information email: laura.sargeant@englandboxing.org
Officiating
Women’s Official Development Programme
Set up in 2022 on the back of the success of the Women’s Coach Development Programme, the Women’s Officials Development Programme has a similar aim to develop the next generation of women and girls… this time among officials.
Group and one-to-one sessions will be held either virtually or face-to-face throughout the year-long period.
Practical elements will be organised and delivered in partnerships with England Boxing regional associations, in addition to invitations to shadow and/or participating in the England Boxing Women’s Winter Box Cup.
For more information email: amypu.ebedi@gmail.com
