No stopping This Girl Can Box in 2024

This Girl Can Box continued to grow throughout 2024, producing a packed calendar of events committed to the organisation’s vision of encouraging female participation in boxing.

This Girl Can Box (TGCB) formulated several exciting opportunities for women to box at events both domestically and abroad, each providing a platform for participation, education, and development.

Three events were particularly noteworthy and came in the form of the Golden Girls competition in Sweden, a London Women and Girls event and a domestic ‘Spotlight Show’.

With a firm belief in ‘build it and they will come’, TGCB founder Terri Kelly put together a subsidised and affordable package to help TGCB-affiliated women travel over to Sweden for the prestigious annual Golden Girls competition this past February.

Kelly, alongside the organisation’s lead coaches, then selected boxers into multiple age category squads and hosted some training sessions to build their relationships. TGCB didn’t just show commitment to opportunities for boxers, though, as they also took along several female officials to support the event.

Speaking about the Sweden trip, in which This Girl Can Box won the best team trophy, Kelly said, “They (officials) were able to develop and improve their officiating over a three-day tournament and we even took a doctor along.

“I’m also honoured that the clubs and parents trusted us to take away their boxers, many of which were travelling abroad for the very first time.”

“It was an incredible experience and it’s one we hope, subject to funding, to repeat in 2025.”

Following success in Sweden there was no room for respite, as TGCB put together a show in the South London suburb of Earlsfield, in conjunction with London Boxing and sponsored by Sport England and the Powerday Foundation.

The show was produced as part of the London Women and Girls project and centred on increasing female participation in the sport and garnered attendance by Sky, BBC News and professional boxing outfit Matchroom.

Boxers Ellie Scotney and Shannon Ryan also attended, providing inspiration and encouragement to the women and girls competing before handing out medals and prizes.

The final big push this year came earlier this month, as This Girl Can Box put on an international ‘spotlight show’ to encourage sustained participation, whilst also shining a light on everyday societal issues affecting women.

The spotlight of this show focused on the London-based charity Angelou, which helps women and girls affected by domestic violence and abuse. The in-ring action took place on Saturday 2^nd November and produced a great display of amateur boxing featuring 12 superb bouts between a TCGB team and competitors from Norway and Germany.

Whilst TGCB ran out overall winners by a 9-3 score, the real victory came outside of the ring, with awareness raised about issues affecting women.

The event allowed for a two-pronged approach as, on Friday, TGCB hosted a community engagement session aimed at encouraging women to introduce sport into their daily lifestyles.

“We very much wanted the session to be a catalyst for participation and growth”, said Kelly.

“On Friday afternoon, the visiting team led a training session for both recreation and competitive boxers. We followed this up with a Q&A about international boxing and the growing participation of women in boxing overseas, which was attended by young residents and regular gym members.

“Everyone involved was keen to discuss different attitudes and approaches to sport, as well as what it takes for girls to develop as high-level athletes. We were keen to engage and empower young women to take up sport and incorporate it in their everyday lives to develop more sustained inclusion.”

This Girl Can Box is supported by Haringey Boxing Club, and more information and how to get involved can be found by clicking here.

Imagery courtesy of Danny Barnes.