Women’s Coach Development Programme: Coaches take on sparring masterclass

The current Women’s Coach Development Programme group came together yesterday (5^th February 2024) at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield for a sparring masterclass workshop.

The 12-strong cohort each brought two boxers from their gyms to help elevate the experience.

Coaches were tasked with taking technical, conditioned, and open spars, supported by their mentors, with the theme focusing on what a boxer should do before and after punching. Each group introduced conditions into the session, technical and open where appropriate, to make it beneficial from a development perspective for all involved.

England Boxing Development and Holmes Chapel ABC coach Kerry Chalk was lead for the day, as part of England Boxing’s commitment to continually develop coaches and their leadership.

Programme lead Laura Sargeant said, “I am so proud of how much these coaches have progressed over the short period that we have been working with them. Throughout this session, we placed the coaches in real-life boxing scenarios which forced them to adapt their coaching to the situations, and it brought out the best in them.

“I feel they now have more confidence in their ability to be able to take on any challenges that might come their way. They have bonded as a group; they all support each other and will hopefully continue to do so. Kerry also did an amazing job planning and delivering the session.

“The mentors, who are all from previous programmes, have been outstanding and they go above and beyond to help their mentees grow and develop.

“It also provides them with a platform to keep developing and growing their knowledge and leadership skills. They are a vital part of the programme and I would like to thank them all for their commitment and continuous support.”