Women’s Coach Development Programme spotlight: Emily Harding (Birkenhead Venture ABC)

Birkenhead Venture coach, Harding, hopes to push female participation in the sport while improving her ability as a boxing coach and making herself more confident.

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How did you first get involved in boxing?

From the age of eight until 11, I competed in Muay Thai boxing before changing to boxing outright. This was due to playing football at the academy level, therefore I couldn’t use my legs to fight anymore.

I boxed for five years and then, at age 18, I started coaching. I’ve always had a passion to introduce and teach our great sport to people, and I very quickly realised how much I enjoy coaching and I’ve never looked back.

How pleased are you to be involved in a programme that is actively bidding to push women’s and girls’ boxing forward?

I am extremely pleased to be a part of this programme. Female boxing was not as popular as it should have been when I boxed, so to help push female participation forward is really important to me. I am super excited to be a part of this journey.

What do you hope to get out of the WCDP that can improve you as a coach?

I hope to progress my coaching skills and tackle any flaws I have to become the best coach I can be for my boxers and coaching team. I am also looking forward to meeting more coaches and being under the guidance of England Boxing, which will take my coaching knowledge to a higher level.

How much will attending the WCDP help you in your club environment?

Attending the WCDP will help me in my club environment, enabling me to suggest new things that I learn through the programme, which will benefit our boxers’ progress. I’ll also feel more confident proposing my ideas and putting them into action.

Who are your biggest boxing inspirations?

My biggest boxing inspiration is my best friend, Chloe Watson. She is two years older than me and has always acted as an older sister, guiding me in and out of the boxing gym since I was 11 years old. She is a 2x national champion and has fought for Team GB around the world and won multiple competitions. She has also competed in the Commonwealth Games and has now turned professional. She has been a huge inspiration to me since a young age and she still is.

Find out more about the WCDP

Click here for more details.