Training Cave celebrates and empowers women for International Women’s Day
March 19, 2023 | by Chris Boyd
Training Cave Boxing Gym ran an Invincible Women’s Conference at their boxing club on Saturday 11th March, to celebrate and empower women as part of International Women’s Day 2023.
The event saw 20 women attend including Labour MP for Batley and Spen, Kim Leadbeater, amateur boxers Beth Walsh, Julie-Anne Ellis and Evie Smales and professional boxers Sylvia Doligala and Jasmina Zapotoczna.
Audrie Woodhouse, a new member of the board of directors at Training Cave and a Voice, Presentation and Performance Coach, was the key speaker and driver of the event.
The club, based in the Yorkshire region, invited women from the Kirklees community to join them for a thought-provoking and active session, which celebrated women and encouraged them to realise their own strength through coaching and fitness.
The event was funded by the Third Sector Leaders Kirklees (TSL), and the National Lottery, and combined talks on topics such as confidence, empowerment and values with boxing exercises and skills workshops.
Jack Sunderland, head coach at Training Cave, was thrilled with the event.
“What a day! I’m feeling really inspired. If somebody had told my old boxing coaches that one day we would run a women’s only event in our boxing gym they’d have looked at me daft. Well, we’ve had over 20 women turn up to our Invincible Woman Event.
“It was pointed out to me that of the ladies in the room, there was my own coach, the local MP, policewomen, a number of amateur boxers, two professional boxers, my wife and many more women that are leading the way in life.
“This has been another day in Training Cave’s life where I have witnessed the power of sport and exercise.”
Sunderland was also grateful to those who took part and drove the event.
“I want to say a big thank you to all who attended. Many ladies took themselves out of their comfort zones and smashed it.
“Thank you to our MP Kim Leadbeater, for opening and taking part in the event and thank you to our director, Audrie Woodhouse, for being the main driver behind this session taking place.”
Kim Leadbeater MP added, “What an excellent afternoon at Training Cave in Birstall for their International Women’s Day event.
“A gym full of fantastic women and girls enjoyed a thought-provoking session on empowerment & values from Audrie Woodhouse, followed by some great boxing drills and sparring led by inspirational coach and Training Cave director Jack Sunderland.
“The day boasted fitness, fun, friendship and some very talented female boxers. Many thanks for the invitation and the opportunity to participate and talk about my passion for physical activity, health and the power of sport.”
Laura Sargeant, Women and Girls Officer at England Boxing, added, “The event looked amazing.
“Any event that reaches out to support women in their communities through boxing will help inspire and empower them and the next generation. Boxing can transform lives and I would love to attend and support any other events they have in the future.”
One attendee added, “An amazing day which was finished off with a fantastic boxing display by four truly inspiring young females.
“They demonstrated how powerful the female form is when the mind and body work as one.”
To find out more about the Training Cave, click here.