National Volunteers Week 2026: Meet Louise Gibbs

Behind every successful boxing event is a team of dedicated volunteers working tirelessly behind the scenes, ensuring competitions run smoothly and fairly. Few embody that commitment more than Louise Gibbs.

A respected official, supervisor, and regional secretary, Louise plays a vital role within the sport. From overseeing events across the Midlands to organising bout lists for National Championships, her work helps provide opportunities for boxers at every level to compete safely and fairly. While many spectators see the action that takes place inside the ring, Louise is one of the many volunteers whose efforts behind the scenes make those moments possible.

As part of National Volunteers’ Week, we spoke to Louise about her journey in boxing, the responsibilities that come with her various roles, and why she continues to dedicate so much of her time to supporting the sport she loves…

Louise, how did you first get involved in the sport?

My son used to box and I started to stay in his gym during his sessions when there were red route protests (on stratford road, Birmingham) going on, that’s where I got involved in doing different things. I eventually was asked if I would also work with the female side of boxing as back then, there was a movement and it was being run by the Police Community Clubs.

I did that for a while, then one thing led to another and I became an Official which was followed by taking on the Midlands Regional Secretary Role, which I’ve been doing now for over ten years.

Alongside this, I’ve been an Official for 20 years, it was judging to begin with and then asked to do the supervising side of it and then it slowly progressed. I’ve worked on the Championships over the years too, I knew former Board Member, Micky Norford, from working on the different events and so when it came to setting up the England Boxing Championships Subcommittee, I was asked to join because of my experience both at a regional and national level.

What do you enjoy the most about being in boxing?

I enjoy the supervising side of it and working in the background. I’m not one for the limelight. I don’t mind doing the organisational bits, it’s worked well for me over the years as initially it was flexible around my personal/family life.

What’s one of the biggest challenges you’d had to face?

Juggling all of the different hats really! Once a Championships start, you’re collating information for the numerous rounds of the event. I’m involved from the regional stages on day one from then onwards, so it’s dealing with that and then the tasks that come with being regional secretary too. I don’t think some of the coaches realise my role is voluntary and you do need days off at times.

What makes volunteering so integral to the sport?

The sport wouldn’t be able to run without them. The grassroots volunteers that work in the clubs (coaches who take the boxers – here, there or everywhere, officials etc) – if we didn’t have them, a lot of these environments wouldn’t be able to function. 

Have there been any last minute changes in your role? How do you handle this?

I try not to lose my temper in stressful situations as it doesn’t tend to get you anywhere, obviously I’ve had moments when I do get frustrated at things but then I just walk away from the situation and come back when I can tackle it in a calm way.

What motivates you to keep going?

I enjoy what I do and that’s what it comes down to really. There are moments where it does get stressful at times, juggling everything but I can work around it and I’ve learnt to deal with the stressful side of the job.

I also like how flexible it can be, I’m someone that suffers with Arthritis and had knee operations and have managed to work around it all.

What advice would you give someone who is thinking about volunteering themselves?

I would tell them to get involved and enjoy it, make the most of what you can. That’s what I did and look where it’s led me.