<<

ight Th e R Hook A report by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for ­­

This is not an official publication of the House of Commons or the House of Lords. It has not been approved by either House or its committees. All-Party Parliamentary Groups are informal groups of Members of both Houses with a common interest in particular issues. The views expressed in this report are those of the Group. This Report was funded by Boxing. Foreword Contents As someone that has been involved in It is something I have seen many times in boxing, at all levels, since the age of 12, I gyms at home and abroad, where young have had the opportunity to witness the people’s lives have been changed for the huge range of benefits that the sport can better through their connection with deliver to people and communities. the sport and the values it has helped to FOREWORD – NICOLA ADAMS 3 engender within them. Since joining the GB From a personal point of view, it has Boxing squad in 2010, I have been invited FOREWORD – CHARLOTTE LESLIE MP 4 provided me with a livelihood doing to speak to groups of MPs, appeared at something I love and the chance to party conferences, and even spent time with Introduction 5 follow my dreams. the Prime Minister at a boxing project in the favelas of Rio. I have had the good fortune to pursue a Part 1 Boxing: Telling it like it is career at the elite end of the sport and On each of these occasions it has become win a medal at the , but apparent to me that there is now a widely PREJUDICE AND LACK OF INFORMATION 6 NICOLA ADAMS the vast majority of my time in boxing has held consensus amongst many politicians BOXING IN BRITAIN – THE REAL PICTURE 7 2012 OLYMPIC GOLD been spent in grassroots clubs where I have and policy makers that boxing has the ability MEDALLIST AND “AMBASSADOR FOR witnessed the amazing impact the sport can to influence society in a way that reaches FROM THE INFORMAL TO THE FORMALLY STRUCTURED 8 FIGHT FOR PEACE” have on people’s lives. far beyond sport. THE BENEFITS OF BOXING 9 As the case studies in this report show, This report from the APPG adds weight to ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR AND GANG CULTURE 9 boxing has the power to transform lives. this view. It makes a compelling case for EDUCATION 11 It has an almost unmatched capability boxing and provides a host of evidence to to engage some of the most disaffected highlight the specific benefits it delivers and HEALTH AND WELLBEING 14 young people and help to combat a massive the value this creates in terms of improved POLICING AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE 15 range of social problems, covering crime, health, educational achievements and educational underachievement, health and crime reduction. fitness and community cohesion. Part 2 So what can we do? It shows that boxing delivers benefits across From the work I have done in my role as the policy landscape and I wholeheartedly GATHERING THE DATA 18 an Ambassador for Fight for Peace, I have support the Report’s view that investment seen for myself that boxing, a programme in the sport and boxing projects boxing PAYING THE BILLS 19 run by Street Games, which aims to should not be regarded solely as the remit CLEVERER COMMISSIONING 21 increase participation in sport amongst of the Department for Culture Media women from disadvantaged communities, and Sport (DCMS). SPORT AT THE CENTRE OF GOVERNMENT 22 I have seen for myself that boxing is one of the most effective sports in helping to For someone like me who is passionate capture the attention of young people from about the sport, it is great to see that Conclusion 23 difficult backgrounds. boxing is getting the recognition it deserves. I sincerely hope that all of ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 23 The sport possesses a unique combination of the recommendations in this report are attributes that enable it to get the attention acted upon and that local authorities and of young people and impact positively on government departments across Britain their character and behaviour. will take a closer look at how they can harness the sport to benefit the people and communities they serve.

2 Boxing: The Right Hook | A report by the All Party Parliamentary Group for Boxing­­ Boxing: The Right Hook | A report by the All Party Parliamentary Group for Boxing­­ 3 Foreword Introduction

In the summer of 2011, was ablaze. Following the London Riots, and the glorious IF YOU VISIT ALMOST ANY BOXING You will hear how boxing slowly turned Our national track record is poor. In 2011, Young people were tearing our streets flip-side of young people’s energy, the CLUB, YOU WILL PROBABLY NOT BE their life around – then when you meet over a quarter of all ASBOs were issued to apart in scenes many thought we would London Olympics, the All Party Parliamentary ABLE TO LEAVE WITHOUT HEARING AN that young person, they will be articulate, people aged between 10 and 17,1 and over never see in a first world country, let alone Group on Boxing were determined to look EXTRAORDINARY STORY ABOUT HOW A positive, and telling you about the three quarters of those in that age group our great capital. at how we can harness the power of sport, YOUNG MAN (OR WOMAN) CAME TO opportunities that have opened up for who have completed a custodial sentence and boxing in particular, to unleash the THE CLUB AT A TIME WHEN THEIR LIFE them, and how they owe it all to boxing are reconvicted within a year of being One year later, in the summer of 2012, energy and ability of our young people to WAS FALLING APART, WHEN ALL THE and their boxing club. released.2 As well as the tragic waste of lives London was ablaze again. The Olympic propel them, and our nation, to be the very PROBLEMS THAT GOVERNMENTS TRY and talent, the financial costs of this are Torch shone over our city, and our best they can be. SO HARD TO SOLVE WERE DESTROYING These stories of incredible journeys – stories high. Each young person who continues to (varyingly!) young people propelled our THEIR FUTURE: VIOLENCE, DRUGS, CRIME, that most state interventions would die to veer off the straight and narrow to become country to a position on the international We owe special thanks to all those who ABUSE, A CHAOTIC FAMILY, DEPRESSION, be able to tell – appear to be two a penny a young offender or prisoner can cost the sporting medal tables that most of us came to give evidence to this report, which UNEMPLOYMENT AND TRUANCY. in boxing clubs. And compared to many state of the order of £35,000 per annum3. thought we would never see, against the has expanded in scope as more evidence THEN YOU WILL HEAR THAT BOXING state interventions, they are dead cheap, backdrop of our great capital. and material has come to light, even as this CHANGED ALL THAT... and often free to the taxpayer. So this report This report also analyses why boxing and report was being written. I would personally begins with a crucial question: are these sport might be having such an impact on The difference? The difference for some like to thank Lord Pendry for his wisdom prolific anecdotes, almost too good to be mental health, physical health and life CHARLOTTE LESLIE MP of those young people between throwing and all he has done over the years for true, actually a true reflection of reality? chances, before tackling the most important CHAIR OF THE ALL PARTY PARLIAMENTARY bricks through shop windows in a sport and boxing. But we would most like thing: what we can do about it. GROUP FOR BOXING frenzy of angered meaninglessness, and to thank those young people themselves This report aims to convert such anecdotal between daily striving to be the very best who have been so inspirational and knowledge into a more objective account, Unlike many reports on sport, this is version of themselves they can be, can be shared their life-changing experience and using evidence from a range of individuals not primarily directed at the Minister illustrated in a boxing club. Talk to some insights with us. experienced in engaging and supporting with responsibility for sport. It is of our Olympians, and some of our superb young people at risk of rocketing off the directed at anyone with an interest in Olympic boxers in particular, and they tracks. This report also looks at what boxing tackling educational disadvantage, anti- will tell you how, in a parallel universe, it and sport, more widely, can learn from social behaviour, mental health issues, could have been them on those London existing initiatives and organisations. unemployment, welfare and benefit costs, streets in 2011, were it not for boxing and national economic productivity. It aims and the transformations that can happen Then if boxing (and more generally, sport) to demonstrate that, if we are really to in a boxing club. really is so effective at turning lives around, start to tackle these issues, we must take this report asks why are we not using a far more evidence-based, intelligent and In many ways, this is personal. I was an it more – why are we pumping millions prejudice-free view of how to do it. We angry young person, with aggressively- of pounds into state schemes which see simply can no longer afford to see boxing cut short hair and far too much energy, results that appear to be so much less through a red-mist of disapproval – the harbouring an inexplicable desire to tear effective than what the average boxing club, human waste of such prejudice is simply down any kind of authority. I was very lucky: operating on £25k per year, and dealing too high. Neither can we afford to continue I had amazing family support. My mum was with 60 children at a time, can produce? to dismiss sport and physical activity as a a legend, and instead of trying to box me in nice optional extra. Sport is fundamental to to other peoples’ expectations, she took me a healthy, productive society and, as such, boxing. It was in Spaniorum Farm Gym near is a concern of nearly every government Bristol that I began to see what boxing can department, not just the last letter of DCMS. do; how it can provide an outlet for energy and frustration; how it can teach self- discipline and self-respect; and how it can provide a non-judgemental environment, with strict boundaries, which provides an identity that rivals membership of any gang.

This passion for providing the opportunity for young people to flourish through sport, 1 Home Office, Anti-social behaviour order statistics – England and Wales 2011. http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/science-research-statistics/research-statistics/crime-research/asbo-stats-england- and boxing in particular, is shared across wales-2011/. Last accessed 22 January 2013. party political divides, and across the House 2 Independent Commission on Youth Crime and Anti-social Behaviour (2010), Time for a fresh start, London: The Police Foundation of Commons and the House of Lords. 3 Ministry of Justice, Prison and Probation Trust performance statistics 2011/12. https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/251272/prison-costs-summary-12-13.pdf

4 Boxing: The Right Hook | A report by the All Party Parliamentary Group for Boxing­­ Boxing: The Right Hook | A report by the All Party Parliamentary Group for Boxing­­ 5 PART 1 Boxing: Telling it like it is Reported injury rate per 1000 hours of Fatalities rate per 100,000 participants participation in training or competition7 Prejudice and lack of information 15.2 13.6 COMMUNITY COMMUNITY IN PERFORMING SOCIAL OUTREACH In addition to misunderstanding the nature Either through prejudice or misinformation, HORSERACING SCUBA DIVING FIELD HOCKEY BASKETBALL THROUGH SPORT, AN ORGANISATION of boxing there is also a propensity to the tendency to portray boxing as LIKE THE PREMIER LEAGUE WHICH USES overestimate the risks attached to it. The ‘dangerous’ has obfuscated the greater FOOTBALL AS A TOOL HAS A HEAD conflation of , and the harm of non- participation. The relative risks 12.1-27.2 START ON BOXING. MANY PEOPLE FEEL multiple usages it has, with professional attached to those who engage in boxing AMATEUR 11.3 THAT THEY CANNOT APPROVE OF A boxing is the overwhelming reason for and those from similar backgrounds who AUSTRALIAN COMMUNITY SPORT WHICH HAS AT ITS ESSENCE prejudice against the sport. Although might want to, but do not will be looked SKY DIVING MOTORCYCLE RACING FOOTBALL NETBALL THE AIM TO ANOTHER PERSON. boxing’s amateur and professional domains at in more detail later in the report. There HOWEVER, TO UNDERSTAND BOXING do overlap, they are very different sports. is also a wide misunderstanding of the OR ANY MARTIAL ART IN THIS NARROW realities of boxing and ; SENSE IS TO MISUNDERSTAND NOT In spite of this, there have been attempts who participates in the sport and why; 7.1 6.2 ONLY NATURE OF BOXING BUT ALSO ITS by the BMA to abolish boxing as a whole, what percentage of those boxing go on to WIDER APPLICATIONS. IN THE CONTEXT not on the basis of mortality but on what compete at amateur level; what percentage PROFESSIONAL PROFESSIONAL HANG GLIDING RUGBY OF THIS REPORT, THE TERM ‘BOXING’ they see as the connection between boxing go on to compete at a professional level; COLLEGE FOOTBALL SOCCER REFERS BOTH TO TRADITIONAL AMATEUR and brain damage. Although recognising and the differences between the amateur CLUBS AS WELL AS PROJECTS THAT later that traumatic brain injuries in and professional sport. UTILISE THE SPORT AS PART OF A WIDER amateur boxing were “far less clear cut”4, 4.4 1.0 SOCIAL MISSION. the BMA still proposed a total eradication But it is when any risks of boxing are put PROFESSIONAL of the sport. However, in 2007, the BMJ into context against the other activities MOUNTAINEERING BOXING BOXING AMATEUR BOXING published a systematic review of all research that many would-be or could-be boxers are associating amateur boxing with ‘chronic otherwise partaking in, that the picture of traumatic brain encephalopathy’, which the net benefits of boxing becomes clearer. contradicted this stance. It stipulated, Boxing in Britain - the real picture “although the quality of evidence supporting or refuting the hypothesis was MILLIONS WITNESSED THE BOXERS OF its composition. This is notable in the rise the art of boxing, which has enabled its poor, the association between amateur TEAM GB ENJOY UNPRECEDENTED in female participation from October 2011 adoption within broader fitness regime. 1.2 boxing and chronic traumatic brain injury SUCCESS AT LONDON 2012, BUT THE to October 2013, from 23,300 to 39,400. million people participate in ‘’, a is not strong”5. EXTENT TO WHICH BOXING ALREADY Nicola Adams’s gold medal at London 2012 training exercise based on the concepts used PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN BRITISH LIFE shows how far female boxing has come in in boxing, every week. In comparison to sports such as American MAY COME AS A SURPRISE. ACCORDING such a short space of time. football and rugby, boxing is much safer. TO SPORT ENGLAND, 164,300 PEOPLE FROM THE INFORMAL TO THE Research conducted into brain related AGED 14 YRS+ PARTICIPATE IN A BOXING Although Boxing is primarily viewed as an FORMALLY STRUCTURED injuries in American football found “that RELATED ACTIVITY AT LEAST ONCE A elite sport, a result of conflating amateur a total of 497 brain injury-related fatalities WEEK, OF WHICH 39,400 ARE FEMALE8. and professional discussed earlier, in reality It is important to distinguish between occurred among American football players it is a grass roots activity that cannot be different settings and impacts of individual during the period from 1945 through 1999. Boxing has seen an exponential rise in detached from community it serves. groups. As alluded to in the The causes of death were brain injuries in its use in schools. As of 2009, 10%9 of Boxing (formerly the Amateur Boxing opening, the reflex to dismiss boxing as 69% of the cases, cervical spine injuries in schools offered it as a part of their sports Association), which was founded in 1880 simply a dangerous sport is based on 16%, and other injuries in 15%”6. Amateur curriculum; this can be either contact or to represent the sport, estimates there are a misconception. Moreover, it shows a boxing, on the other hand, was in 1996 non-contact. The extent of this feat is all the around 19000 members of staff, largely misunderstanding of the wider ranging ranked by the National Safety Council as greater when one considers that boxing was voluntary, serving 904 clubs across the UK. social contexts boxing clubs inhabit, and the safest contact sport in America. Shorter only reintroduced to the curriculum in 2007, Moreover, although the ‘ring’ symbolises the goals they attempt to fulfil. This report bouts, headgear requirement and medical following its ban in 1962. What is perhaps everything about boxing, only 25% of divides settings (apart from those boxing checks all contribute to the much greater more remarkable is the distribution of the those who box go onto compete in the activities offered as a discrete package safety of amateur boxing. sexes in the makeup of the sport. Since ring. Boxing is predominantly a sport of within another statutory setting, e.g. boxing England Boxing of England lifted its 116- technique, discipline and control, and less classes at school) into three broad groups. year ban in 1996 on female participation, about fighting than is publically it is a sport that has become fairly equal in perceived. It is this technical aspect, 4 British Medical Association, 1993, The Boxing Debate. 7 British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2006, A prospective cohort study of injury in amateur and . http://www.sportengland.org/media/226709/1x30_sport_14-_ 5 Loosemore, M. 2007, ‘Amateur boxing and risk of chronic traumatic brain injury: systematic review of observational factsheet_APS7_final.pdf studies’, BMJ Research 8 http://www.sportengland.org/media/226709/1x30_sport_14-_factsheet_APS7_final.pdf 6 Cantu, R.C & Mueller, F.O. 2003, ‘Brain injury-related fatalities in American football, 1945-1999’, Neurosurgery. 52(4) 9 Evidence on physical education and sport in schools’, June 2013, Department for Education

6 Boxing: The Right Hook | A report by the All Party Parliamentary Group for Boxing­­ Boxing: The Right Hook | A report by the All Party Parliamentary Group for Boxing­­ 7 The Benefits of Boxing

i) HELPING SOLVE ANTI-SOCIAL Where boxing succeeds where many other and sociable environment of the gym. When BEHAVIOUR AND GANG CULTURE interventions fail is in engaging some of the it comes to engaging many of the hardest most hard to reach individuals who consider to reach young people, boxing can indeed BOXING HAS A REPUTATION FROM other initiatives to be below them. be the right hook. HOLLYWOOD E.G. ROCKY, TO THE STREETS OF NEARLY EVERY LOCAL TOWN, FOR One of the attendees at Pedro Boxing Club Abdul Guthmy, aged 18, also attends Pedro PROVIDING A WAY OUT FOR YOUNG is Celal Ozturk. Aged 17, Celal lives with ABC. In December 2011 he was pictured PEOPLE VEERING DRAMATICALLY OFF THE his parents who speak little English due to in the Evening Standard as one of the “12 STRAIGHT AND NARROW, INTO DRUGS, originating from Turkey, and has a younger Most Wanted” from the London Riots. CRIME AND GANGS. THERE IS MUCH sister and brother which he says he helps Abdul was born in Kenya and moved to TRUTH TO THIS STEREOTYPE. BOXING CAN take care of. He talks about what it’s like England when he was just a year old. It was BE ESPECIALLY HELPFUL FOR THE HARDEST growing up in the area around the club, and at the age of 13 when Abdul first started TO REACH CHILDREN: THOSE WITH describes how there are groups and gangs getting into trouble. With two older brothers SIGNIFICANT BEHAVIOURAL CHALLENGES, hanging around the streets ‘cussing’ each making a living dealing drugs and Abdul CHAOTIC LIVES, AND THOSE WHOM THE other, using drugs and looking for fights. being bullied for being small at school, he SYSTEM HAS ALL BUT GIVEN UP ON. Celal says this is where he thinks he would turned to being part of a gang and fighting have ended up if his father hadn’t bought to stick up for himself. A few weeks after him to the club: he joined Pedro ABC, the August 2011 riots broke out. Abdul found himself caught up in “When I came here first I had just it with his friends on Mare Street. argued with the coach as I was so angry I couldn’t box. This is when From the moment Abdul entered the boxing I realised boxing and fighting aren’t gym for the first time, he said he felt like the same. Boxing is controlled that was where he was supposed to be. and takes discipline, and I wasn’t.” However, Abdul still found himself choosing to mix with the wrong crowds, something Joining Pedro Boxing Club has helped him he says was due to a lack of positive role learn to manage his temper and rise above models in his life. With the help of James things if he feels he’s being provoked. The Cook, Abdul has changed his life which club leader, James Cook MBE, talks about has seen him change his friendship group, how Celal has progressed as a young stay at college and win the North East SEMI-FORMAL – THE SIMPLE CLUB “PLUS” FORMAL – BOXING AS A FACILITATOR person as well as a boxer. James is confident Championship Boxing Trophy. “James has The Boxing Landscape Celal isn’t getting into trouble outside of been fantastic”, he says. “He is my boxing FITZROY LODGE ABC, LAMBETH FIGHT FOR PEACE ACADEMY, NEWHAM INFORMAL INTERVENTION sessions because he stays after training, coach, my mentor and my friend. Boxing has www.fitzroylodge.co.uk www.fightforpeace.net – THE SIMPLE CLUB plays pool and talks about any problems or had a massive impact on my life.” He talks An amateur boxing club which runs taster Combines boxing and martial arts with PEDRO ABC, HACKNEY challenges he’s having. of attending university, which he thanks the sessions and competitive training for men education, youth support services (mentoring), coaches at Pedro for, making him see he www.pedroclub.com and women. Partnered with a charitable employability advice, youth leadership and The founder of the Boxing Academy, which needs more than just boxing to achieve. Pedro Amateur Boxing Club is part of Pedro organisation called Carney’s Community, which personal development to support young people Youth Club (Est. 1929), one of the oldest actively engages young people to reduce living in communities that suffer from crime engages and develops students who have youth clubs in London, sits at the centre of offending and antisocial behaviour, Fitzroy and violence to realise their potential. Actively been excluded from mainstream education Pedro Boxing Club is a great example of a Hackney’s postcode wars. Whilst it may not Lodge offers something more formal than seeks hardest to reach individuals. All project and other settings such as Pupil Referral club in one of the most challenging areas formally use boxing as an intervention for at the average boxing club, but still engages activities are free of charge for all young people Units, said that he had found other sports of the country, making a real difference to risk young people, it does, like so many clubs, many young people in the same way as aged between 11 and 25. were been far less effective than boxing young people who would otherwise be in do a vital job in engaging gang members and most other clubs. Annual running costs: £670,000. in engaging those at the extreme end of serious danger of being sucked into a life of other young people. Annual running costs: £20,000. Income: Supporters include Big Lottery, Laureus anti-social behaviour. This appears to be gangs and drugs. Income: Supported by members Sport for Good Foundation, Sport Relief, Credit because boxing offers a powerful and subscriptions and donations. Suisse and the Mayor of London. unique combination: a gritty, anti-authority Young people growing up in the estate

Attendees per year: 170, plus 120 at Carney’s Attendees per year: Over 800. image, the authoritative presence of where the club is located live in fear of

Community sessions. Staff and volunteers: 14 full time staff, 17 coaches who have themselves often come travelling beyond two streets due to serious Staff and volunteers: 27 coaches and youth workers, and 23 volunteers. from a similar background, the appeal of anxiety of being stabbed or beaten up. There volunteers; no paid staff. combat sport, the inherent focus on control, is pressure to join gangs, hang about on discipline and hard work, and the inclusive the streets, and many of the older kids are

8 Boxing: The Right Hook | A report by the All Party Parliamentary Group for Boxing­­ Boxing: The Right Hook | A report by the All Party Parliamentary Group for Boxing­­ 9 II I II unemployed and making a living by selling are bored, and six out of ten say there isn’t felt part of a group or a family, with 4 He s like the dad I never had. drugs. With a lack of provision for young enough to do in their area; in this context someone looking out for them. This is The influence of positive role models. Fight for Change, London people, Pedro is standing alone in offering any sport can potentially play a powerful a positive alternative to the ‘family’ a Coaches and senior members play an a positive alternative to the problems role in diverting young people away from gang can offer. As a sport, boxing often extremely important role both in terms IN 2009, FIGHT FOR CHANGE (FFC) WAS and anti-social behaviour is rife, but faced in the area. errant behaviour10. Boxing clubs may reduce appeals to those who have been bullied SET UP BY REBECCA DONNELLY. THE IDEA nonetheless will enable the organisation of setting expectations of behaviour STEMMED FROM REBECCA’S EXPERIENCE through its work to raise aspirations and crime and anti-social behaviour simply by and victimised, including girls who have and by offering support and advice “The Pedro Club is engaging with the offering young people something to do. It suffered sexual or physical abuse, as WORKING IN THE YOUTH AND VOLUNTARY provide pathways to achievement. as mentors. These senior figures are SECTOR AND HER YEARS AS A BOXER. young people who are seriously at risk of is notable that seven out of ten teenagers well as those with tougher personalities seen as credible authority figures, not Fight for Change has found the benefits being sucked into the various gangs in the believe that anti-social behaviour occurs or issues with aggression. only due to their physical presence With the help of local boxing club coaches of boxing and boxing-related activities to area, most of which are led by men in their because due to boredom, and that a fifth but also because they often have and volunteers the FFC community boxing be wide ranging: thirties who recruit kids as young as ten.” of school pupils aged 11-15 who had taken 2 IIPeople respect you if you go similar backgrounds to those they are programme was launched and attracted an says PCSO James Severs, of Kings Park Safer drugs gave their reason as “I had nothing assortment of young men and women. This • It engages disadvantaged individuals II training. For many, these are the only Neighbourhood Team. “I am aware the club better to do.” We also acknowledge that to the boxing club. included tagged criminals on pre-release, and communities. positive male role models they have gang members referred by the local Youth struggles with capacity due to volunteer sport is not the only option when it comes Winning the respect of peers. Young encountered in their life. • It helps young people turn commitment but it is important to keep the to engagement; for some young people Offending Team, young people from the local their lives around. people find it easier to become involved community, youth groups and many more. club alive in this area.” drama, art or music may be more appealing. • It teaches respect, discipline, healthy living, in boxing compared to other youth- II I These members were put through their paces A study by the Australian Institute of focused interventions because it is 5 I ve learned how to walk twice a week by our coaches and volunteers. physical and mental wellbeing. II Similarly, Fight for Peace (FFP) has been Criminology conducted in 2003 highlighted often perceived as a suitably anti- away from a FIght. This soon grew and working with statutory empirically validated as a cost-effective way that “providing an activity where previously establishment sport which carries a and voluntary sector partners, FFC now However, the FFC programme provides Personal development. Like any sport, of altering anti-social behaviour. More than there has been none is more important than provide a programme of non-contact and added opportunities for participants particular ‘street cred’. Once involved boxing rewards commitment and 1,300 young people have accessed FFP since the type of activity provided.”11 fitness-related activities from our Fight For to gain appropriate qualifications that in the sport, successful competition in hard work. As an individual sport, January 2012, compared to 442 in 2010. Change Academy based at The Black Prince will qualify them for employment and the ring allows individuals to win the boxing teaches self-motivation and is educational opportunities. The project, which was previously backed But there is also evidence that, in varying Community Hub Sports Complex, as well as its respect of their contenders as well as particularly dependent on discipline hub site in Merton and Croydon. The location by Big Lottery Fund, aims to engage with degrees depending on the nature of the their peers and seniors. By doing so, and control – attributes which all help is ideally situated to where youth crime http://fight4change.org.uk/ 2,400 young people over the next three setting, there is a positive input from the individuals are less inclined to seek individuals to conduct themselves more years. The success of the project is clear from activity of boxing that benefits participants. acceptance and demonstrate prowess positively outside the boxing gym. For its statistics - in 2012, 94 per cent of FFP How boxing makes an impact is in behaviour through participation in gangs, and many, the attention of a coach is the education learners were not in education, change. More comprehensive interventions ii) EDUCATION IMPROVEMENT instead are influenced by a positive first time anyone has taken any notice employment or training (NEET) at the time of go further than offering a distraction peer-pressure from other members of or given any care to their personal recruitment and 93 per cent progressed on to from boredom by proactively seeking to UNLIKE BOXING, RUGBY HAS NEVER FACED the club, in an ethos that expects a development, and boxing the first time further education, training or employment. change behaviour and offer practical and THE PROHIBITIVE MEASURES TO CURB Dame Sharon Hollows, Principal of Charter certain level of discipline and behaviour. they have ever experienced delayed emotional support to participants. During YOUTH PARTICIPATION. IN FACT, IN MANY Academy said: “The introduction of gratification in the virtuous circle of SCHOOLS ACROSS THE UK, RUGBY IS A non-contact boxing to the Charter Academy Moreover, in a systematic review of in evidence sessions, five key themes emerged II I 3 It s a way to let go of discipline, effort and then reward. COMPULSORY PART OF THE PHYSICAL has been fantastic and the sport has had a 2012, young people receiving intensive from both coaches and boxers, and those II mentoring support reported that as a studying the impact of boxing. The most my frustration. EDUCATION CURRICULUM. THIS IS IN SPITE very positive impact on our students.” Of these characteristics, the most important OF RUGBY’S OBVIOUS AND DOCUMENTED result of attending FFP they are less likely powerful exponents of these five points A chance to let off steam. Combat seems to be the role of coaches and seniors DANGERS – ACCORDING TO A STUDY, “On a practical level it has improved levels of to commit a crime and be a member of a were the boxers themselves, who were able sports can appeal to those seeking in establishing a constructive environment “ONE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL IN AUSTRALIA fitness and helped students to learn about gang (71%); will now think before they act to give an insight into how they saw boxing, adrenaline and motivated by a sense based on hard work, respect and discipline. REPORTED 125 RUGBY-RELATED CERVICAL a healthy diet. It has also had a noticeable (77%); feel calmer (71%) and feel more their club, and the effect it had on them. of risk. Through boxing, individuals The inquiry was repeatedly told that setting SPINE INJURIES TO CHILDREN UNDER-15 impact on students’ confidence across a confident and ambitious (94%). Research are able to channel their aggression clear expectations of behaviour is an YEARS OF AGE OVER A 3-YEAR PERIOD”12. range of subjects, helped to bridge social by Ecorys in 2012 estimated that across the II I II positively in a structured environment, 1 It s like a family to me. important factor, and we heard a number and academic gaps within the school and 800 participants in 2011, FFP resulted in 175 thereby letting off steam and exorcising of anecdotes about coaches and seniors In 1962, boxing was banned in schools, led to the development of friendships crimes being avoided, delivering £1,059,471 A safe, sociable and inclusive frustration and negative experiences. ringing round the homes of their younger but it was reintroduced in 2007. Although between students who otherwise may not worth of savings to society. environment. In communities affected Training in the gym also offers a members during the 2011 riots to ensure progress was slow to begin with, the have mixed. It has been a new experience by crime and anti-social behaviour, diversionary activity. Not only does they weren’t getting into trouble, or to benefits of boxing are beginning to be felt for the students but both the boys and girls There is also the fact that boxing, like boxing clubs can offer a secure the sport occupy idle minds, and determine why they had missed a training and quantified in a number of settings are enjoying learning it along with other key any other sport, is simply a diversionary environment in which young people can possibly idle fists, in the evening, but, session. Through these actions, senior with schools. As of 2009, 10% of schools skills such as working with others, problem activity. In 2009, the Audit Commission integrate with peers and socialise with as one coach put it, his participants figures are demonstrating their commitment offered boxing as part of their curriculum, solving, research, discussion and improving cited research which revealed that seven individuals from different geographical are too tired after a training session to to the wellbeing and development of their and headteachers who have introduced their own learning.” out of ten teenagers believe that anti-social areas and cultural backgrounds. For contemplate making trouble. behaviour occurs because young people many, it is the first time they have mentees, as well as setting clear rules and boxing into their school, report significant boundaries, and this undoubtedly has a improvements in both behaviour and positive impact on a young person with an academic achievement. 10 Audit Commission (2009), ‘Tired of Hanging Around, Using Sport and Leisure Activities to Prevent Anti-social Behaviour by Young People’, London: Audit Commission unstable or chaotic home life. 11 Morris, L; J. Sallybanks; K. Willis and T. Makkai (2003), ‘Sport, physical activity and anti-social behaviour in youth’, Trends and issues in crime and criminal justice, no. 249. Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology. www.aic.gov.au/publications/current%20series/tandi/241-260/tandi249/view%20paper.html. Last accessed 22 January 2013 12 Browne,GJ. ‘Cervical spinal injury in children’s community rugby football’, BJSM, 2006, 40:68-71

10 Boxing: The Right Hook | A report by the All Party Parliamentary Group for Boxing­­ Boxing: The Right Hook | A report by the All Party Parliamentary Group for Boxing­­ 11 There is a common preconception which The Boxing Academy is not an isolated Boxing and Education sees academic achievement and sport The Boxing Academy from school. Carlos enjoyed the boxing example of boxing’s success in this area. as an ‘either / or’ equation. Children are training and discovered that it helped him to The base-line annual cost of sending a pupil CHARTER ACADEMY, PORTSMOUTH Islington is one of London’s most popular, either academically inclined, or not so, THE BOXING ACADEMY HAS PROVIDED focus. The guidance of the coaches helped to a pupil referral unit is £8,000; this does FULL-TIME EDUCATION IN NORTH AND him to change his attitude: “Boxing teaches THE CHARTER ACADEMY IN PORTSMOUTH successful and inclusive boxing clubs and and spend more time on the sports field. not consider regional, local differences in EAST LONDON SINCE 2007 FOR OVER you discipline… you get your energy out HAS BEEN ONE OF THE SCHOOLS AT THE trains a number of national champions, but However, anecdote, and increasingly supplementing pupils. The actual figure 150 STUDENTS WHO WOULD OTHERWISE there, so when you go into lessons you are FOREFRONT OF BOXING IN EDUCATION. also has a track record of good work in its evidence are showing that children who do can be, and in many cases is, much higher. local community. The project beat 1000 other HAVE BEEN PERMANENTLY EXCLUDED more chilled out. Of course boxing teaches more physical activity and sport at school FROM SCHOOL, AND HELPED THEM you to fight better, but it also teaches you Compare this to the average annual -cost of Charter Academy is a secondary school in London clubs to win Sport England’s inaugural have better behaviour, and, perform better PROGRESS TO FURTHER EDUCATION, to avoid fighting.” Carlos completed the sending a pupil through the Fight for Peace Portsmouth for 11-16 year olds. It opened in Satellite Club of the Year award. TRAINING OR EMPLOYMENT. Academy course with GCSEs in English programme; just over £800. September 2009 and introduced non-contact academically. As a paper into the benefits and Maths, and a Merit in BTEC Level 2 boxing into the school through an initial trial Nicola Haines, head teacher at Mount Carmel, of education stated, there is “evidence from During school term times, the Academy runs a Sport. He went to college to study a Level 3 with the Boxing Awards Programme. Boxing said: “It is important to encourage young this large-scale population study confirms This works out at nearly 90% of the cost as daily timetable from 9:30am until 2.45pm for Diploma in Sports. Awards is modular non-contact programme, people in terms of their well-being, health, the long-term positive impact of moderate- PRU and with greater results. Furthermore, students aged between 13 and 16. Each class delivered by qualified boxing tutors and fitness and confidence. In particular, my to-vigorous physical activity on academic when looking at the wider social impact of has seven students, and each class (or ‘pod’) Reproduced with the permission of is designed to promote health and fitness thanks to Anthony Wright, who has been an 13 FPP the Sport Scores calculated that, like attainment in adolescence” . has its own mentor who is a boxer. Parents and contribute to increased self esteem and excellent coach.” the Boxing Academy are given daily feedback on attendance, and the Boxing Academy, “Fight for Peace has confidence. The trial was a success and boxing www.theboxingacademy.co.uk There is a wealth of evidence that suggest receive a weekly conduct report. A system delivered at least £2,504,457 of additional is now offered in a number of ways at Charter RYE TOWN COLLEGE that boxing can provide a nexus between an of reward and recognition is in place, with social benefit over the past 12 months. With Academy including: OVER 30 YOUNG PEOPLE, MANY OF the top student for each week receiving a the cost of the project running at £580,000, WHOM WERE INDIFFERENT TO SPORT, excluded pupil and the re-establishment of cash prize of £10. Over 90% of attendees this delivers a benefit to cost ratio of £4.32 • Breakfast Club Boxing Sessions TOOK UP BOXING AS A RESULT OF A their education. Moreover, it is clear that this have graduated onto further education, 16 PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN A BOXING CLUB AND is not only more economical but producer for every £1 invested” . • On the PE Curriculum training or employment. ITS LOCAL COLLEGE. greater results for those pupils. The report • Twice-weekly after school club The Government says that schools are now Teenage Kicks qualifies this further in it One student, Carlos, joined when he was 14 • On the curriculum as part of the With support from Sussex County Sport research into the success of places such as following a number of fixed-term exclusions free to use their budgets on whichever ASDAN CoPE (Certificate of Personal Partnership and England Boxing, Rye College the Boxing Academy. It noted that pupils interventions they think most effective. Effectiveness) Qualification partnered with Rye Town Boxing Club to set of the Boxing Academy “are more likely This presents an opportunity for sport in up boxing sessions attracting both boys and to achieve qualifications than their peers general, and boxing in particular, to make girls from the school and local community. its case directly to education providers The school is one of the first in the UK to Within three weeks, over 30 young people in Pupil Referral Units, and less likely to and professional bodies, in terms of what include boxing in the curriculum as part of had enrolled at the after-school boxing reoffend. What’s more, the Boxing Academy the of the GCSE-equivalent ASDAN CoPE sessions, with six going on to join Rye costs half as much to run as a traditional it can offer in behavioural and academic Qualification, and in 2010, sixteen Year 11 Town Boxing Club. Pupil Referral Unit, despite achieving better improvement. The lack of a central students passed the GCSE-equivalent ASDAN results”14. In addition to this, The Laureus determining body and a more fragmented CoPE (Certificate of Personal Effectiveness) Mr Farlow, PE teacher at Rye College, said: “It Sport for Good Foundation calculated audience to which boxing and sport must using boxing-related tasks to gain credits has been a huge success with pupils making pitch suggest that there is likely to be towards the qualification. that every £1 invested in the Academy the most of the after-school club. generated £3 of value for society15. The some variation in take-up. However, the opportunities provided by schools’ new Reprinted with permission of Charter Academy “It has allowed other students who are not Academy has been widely recognized for freedoms should be seized proactively. http://www.charteracademy.org.uk/ too keen on the usual ‘invasion games’ to these achievements. In July 2011 the Boxing access another sport, and more importantly, at Academy received an award from the Centre MOUNT CARMEL CATHOLIC COLLEGE no cost to them. for Social Justice for its innovative work in FOR GIRLS addressing the causes of poverty, turning MOUNT CARMEL CATHOLIC COLLEGE FOR “We have received loads of great feedback lives around and reversing social breakdown. GIRLS ISN’T THE MOST OBVIOUS SETTING FOR from parents, staff and pupils about BOXING, BUT WITH HELP FROM COACHES AT the club, facility and coaches, which is ISLINGTON BOXING CLUB, THE SCHOOL NOW great advertisement for our school, Rye It noted that pupils of the Boxing Academy “are more likely to achieve HAS A THRIVING CLUB OF ITS OWN. Town Boxing Club, Active Sussex and qualifications than their peers in Pupil Referral Units, and less likely to the town of Rye.” reoffend. What’s more, the Boxing Academy costs half as much to run as a Sport England’s Satellite Club scheme enables traditional Pupil Referral Unit, despite achieving better results” boxing clubs to link up with other community organisations and support them to encourage more young people to take up sport. Such was the popularity of the project at Mount Carmel, the school decided to set up its own club, with support from the coaches and volunteers at Islington. 13 Booth JN, et al. 2014, Br J Sports Med; 48 14 Teenage Kicks: The Value of Sport in Tackling Youth Crime’ 15 Teenage Kicks: The Value of Sport in Tackling Youth Crime’ 16 Sport Scores: the costs and benefits of sport for crime reduction

12 Boxing: The Right Hook | A report by the All Party Parliamentary Group for Boxing­­ Boxing: The Right Hook | A report by the All Party Parliamentary Group for Boxing­­ 13 iii) HEALTH AND WELLBEING be having developmentally appropriate fears and not be overwhelmed by them, psychological needs met in their home, and it can be generalised to other feared Empire Fighting Chance, Bristol THE PHYSICAL HEALTH BENEFITS OF school or social context. Primarily, the situations outside the gym (for example at DOING SPORT ARE WELL DOCUMENTED, boxing centre provides a safe and consistent job interviews or when dealing with difficult http://www.empirefightingchance.org/ “I have rapid cycling bi-polar disorder with BOXING FOR ME HAS BEEN TRANSFORMATIVE. SO THIS INQUIRY WAS NOT PRIMARILY container in which young people can begin relationships). Boxing with others also bouts of anxiety.” FOCUSED ON WHAT BOXING CAN DO to develop their identity within a positive develops interpersonal skills such as turn- THE CHARITY EMPIRE FIGHTING CHANCE WAS “I can remember being three stones FOR HEALTH, THOUGH THE BENEFITS peer environment. In contrast to the street taking and communication, and provides OFFICIALLY INCORPORATED AT THE END OF “Depression robs the individual of any overweight (technically obese) and trying very OCTOBER 2013. IT FORMALISES AND BUILDS appreciation of the future, of possibilities hard to complete ten press-ups all the while ARE CONSIDERABLE. (or school) environment, the gym allows training in self-mastery and confidence. ON SEVEN YEARS OF EXPERIENCE OF RUNNING and changes in circumstance. Perceiving that being encouraged by Lee Haskins (a European each child to find their own unique pace AND MANAGING COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT you are having a bad year begins to narrow Champion). That is the way it has always The impact boxing can have on mental and skills with a structure that provides Lastly, working with the physical body gives PROGRAMMES BY THE EMPIRE AMATEUR down to a bad month, week and then day – been - no posturing, posing or aggression health is far less well documented, but is appropriate challenge and guidance. Young the young people the chance to see directly BOXING CLUB IN BRISTOL. every day. Apathy builds; there are often no from any other member in the gym. I find the striking. There is an established link between people can be pushed just outside of their the effects of their own efforts. By this we aspirations beyond the next meal. The ability to other boxers (both professional and amateur) the social challenges of the type described comfort zone in order to explore their true mean they can see, week by week, changes The charity delivers a number of activities both plan ahead or set ambitions beyond short term really kind, courteous and humble. They above and mental health problems – potential and be allowed to fail and try in the body as they grow fitter, changes in independently and through partnerships with goals becomes almost impossible.” don't drink, they train hard and genuinely depression, for example, is considerably again without punishment or derision. The speed, power and accuracy as they master other agencies. It uses the reputation of the encourage all abilities just to work up a sweat boxing club to engage people, and then offer a “Being treated for depression involves and enjoy training. The gym is the real deal - more common amongst those who are consistent and disciplined environment of techniques and improve. Psychologically, holistic, fully integrated approach to tackle the receiving medication to initially stabilise your pictures of past and present champions adorn struggling financially – and boxing clubs the boxing gym provides enough stability to this is a direct observation of how they complex set of problems that are experienced condition so that an assessment can be made. the walls - I've also met a few when they are now starting to deal with both. The allow the young person to be flexible in their have acted to change themselves and their in the local community, including mental Beyond initial diagnosis a holding pattern is have come to train.” link between boxing and the mind is now exploration of identity at an often critical experience. For individuals who might health problems, as well as gangs and poor established, neither getting worse or better being put into practice in innovative and period (late adolescence and the transition feel hopeless, isolated and “done to” this employment and education opportunities. but always taking medicines. The medication “There are some key ingredients to boxing that progressive interventions in mental health. into adulthood). chance to see how they can act to change led to increased weight gain, a passionless make it an ideal springboard for getting back and improve their experience is an essential Specific activities include mentoring, education existence devoid of highs and lows, and a into good health.” Dr Tamara Russell, Director of the Secondly, the boxing training provides step to any further self-development support, job and skills training, leadership remaining apathy.” development, personal development, therapy Mindfulness Centre of Excellence, has a chance for young people to face and steps (such as engaging with training and gang interventions. “Unhappy with being out of work, unfit with worked extensively with Fight for Change, experience their fears in a contained way. and/or employment). seemingly no chance of changing circumstance, and has broken down the positive link This may be experienced in their first visits to One participant, who suffered from severe I decided to give boxing a try. I'd previously had between boxing and the mind into the gym (worries and doubts about whether In Bristol, this link is being put into practice mental and physical health problems, describes some personal training at another gym and three key areas. they can do the boxing or fit in), right up as boxing is being used as part of a wider his experiences: knew that I needed to get out of the house.” to moments when they face their fears in approach to tackle social and psychological Firstly, the boxing environment, gym and the ring. This training provides a chance issues. Empire Fighting Chance takes a coaches provide a psychologically rich to experience fear in the body, and work holistic approach to the issue. experience for young people who may not through it, seeing that it is possible to face iv) POLICING AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE concluded that £113 million could be saved each year if one in ten young offenders IT IS NOT A COINCIDENCE THAT A SPORT received effective support to divert them THAT IS STILL FROWNED UPON BY SOME away from criminal activity. The 2009 report Boxing and the mind ASPECTS OF THE ESTABLISHMENT ENTAILS stated that a young person who exhibits RISK, AND IS BASED ON PHYSICAL behavioural problems from a young age and RESILIENCE AND FIGHTING SEEMS is dealt with through the criminal justice Attention, focus and concentration Motor co-ordination and UNIQUELY ABLE TO BREAK THROUGH system would cost the taxpayer around are required when boxing - these bodily awareness help with TO THOSE INVOLVED IN CRIME AND £207,000 by the age of 16. Amateur boxing develop lobe regions related to both cognition and emotion ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR. AS FORMER clubs which help individuals to break this attention and inhibition. regulation - boxing training primes somatosensory GANG MEMBER, WHO WENT ONTO vicious cycle of offending cost very little in cortex and primary and REPRESENT ENGLAND AS BOXER IN THE comparison: Fitzroy Lodge ABC (see above) secondary motor areas. , JOVAN YOUNG costs approximately £20,000 a year to run. Reading and interpreting others’ PUT IT: “BOXING IS THE ONLY THING bodily postures an intentions are an THAT’S ACCEPTABLE FROM THE GANG’S Some police forces have made full use of essential building block for social POINT OF VIEW. WHEN I GOT INVOLVED IN what many would say is boxing’s unique cognitive skills. The superior temporal BOXING, THE GANG MEMBERS SAID TO ME outreach potential. 60 police community sulcus codes for bodily posture and Timing and co-ordination of feeds information into the frontal movement trains the cerebellum ‘LEAVE US BEHIND, JOVAN. GO AND GET A clubs operate across England and Wales. lobe to help us make inferences about - also implicated in the temporal FUTURE FOR YOURSELF’”. Today these clubs provide much-needed others intentions - a vital skill for ordering of thoughts. smooth social interactions. leisure activities, including boxing, for an The cost savings that can be delivered by estimated 4,000-5,000 disadvantaged interventions that engage young people young people in inner cities and other through sport struck the panel. In Tired of deprived areas. One such club is Yate ABC. Hanging Around, the Audit Commission

14 Boxing: The Right Hook | A report by the All Party Parliamentary Group for Boxing­­ Boxing: The Right Hook | A report by the All Party Parliamentary Group for Boxing­­ 15 However, to effect demonstrable, lasting Given the instinctive reactions against would be a huge missed opportunity to behaviour change in an individual requires boxing that were outlined earlier, it is easy better protect society from re-offending by Yate ABC ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR IN ABBOTSWOOD, YATE CALLS a more formalised approach. As explained to understand the opposition that many violent criminals. YATE ABC NEAR BRISTOL IS A BOXING CLUB previously, organisations like Fight for Peace would have towards allowing boxing in THAT HAS MADE A REMARKABLE SOCIAL 30 12 MONTH AVERAGE and the Boxing Academy are different to the criminal justice system. Much of this is Indeed, boxing does already play a role, IMPACT IN A DIFFICULT ENVIRONMENT. THE the average traditional boxing club, and use understandable. However, for the reasons albeit a patchy one, in our prisons and ABBOTSWOOD AREA OF YATE, WHERE THE the sport as part of a formal wider mission we have outlined earlier, boxing can be an young offenders’ institutions (YOIs), and this BOXING CLUB IN BASED, WAS HIGHLIGHTED 25 BY LOCAL POLICE AS AN ANTI-SOCIAL to support and develop young people. More incredibly powerful tool for turning lives can provide a useful, practical and sensible BEHAVIOUR HOTSPOT IN DECEMBER 2007 20 than this, boxing is starting to be used as a around, and to keep boxing of any form model to harness the power of boxing in AND A DISPERSAL ZONE (A DESIGNATED AREA part of the rehabilitative process. away from some of the hardest to reach a safe way to help reduce reoffending and THAT POLICE CAN DIRECT INDIVIDUALS TO and most disengaged people in society improve prisons’ behaviour. 15 LEAVE) WAS ESTABLISHED. IN JUNE 2008, WHEN THE DISPERSAL ZONE EXPIRED, A BOXING CLUB WAS SET UP IN THE AREA IN 10 CONJUNCTION WITH LOCAL POLICE FROM Boxing in prisons THE COMMUNITY TO COMBAT THE LEVEL OF 5 ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR STILL FURTHER AND THE FIRST EXAMPLE OF BOXING’S ROLE IN THE local boxing clubs and state institutions – Broad their sentences. Additionally, the Ministry of GIVE YOUNG PEOPLE IN YATE A ROUTE OFF PRISON SYSTEM WAS AT ASHFIELD PRISON Plain also ran some sessions with HMP Bristol – Justice has placed a further requirement that all THE STREETS AND OUT OF PETTY CRIME. 0 AND YOI IN THE WEST COUNTRY, WHICH and they provide a strong model that could be participating prisoners must have no violence 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 RAN A BOXING ACADEMY FOR ITS YOUNG rolled out more widely. related offences. Despite these restrictions, the As the graph below shows, the establishment OFFENDERS FROM 2005 UNTIL THE PRISON’S programme has seen a number of prisoners SEP SEP SEP JUN JUN JUN JUN JUN CLOSURE IN MARCH 2013. THE ASHFIELD More recently, HMP Doncaster has also used successfully complete the course, going on to DEC DEC DEC DEC of a boxing club in June 2008 coincides with a DEC SEPT SEPT MAR MAR MAR MAR MAR gradual but significant decline in the number PROGRAMME ENGAGED 18 PEOPLE AT A TIME boxing as part of its rehabilitation programme. become actively involved with their local boxing of antisocial behaviour calls received by AND OFFERED A 3 MONTH, NON-CONTACT The prison, in conjuncture with the Policy clubs, and not reoffending. One prisoner in the local police. and the fact that the police were involved in focuses, like so many, on fitness, discipline and BOXING PROGRAMME FOCUSING ON HEALTH Community Clubs of Great Britain (PCCGB), particular used the programme to work with setting up the club, would suggest that it did self-confidence. The relationship between the AND FITNESS, RUN BY LOCAL BOXING CLUBS, runs the Contender Plus programme, which, young people through the delivery of courses Even allowing for seasonal “spikes” in calls, have a meaningful impact on anti-social crime junior boxers and the coaches is strong and INCLUDING BROAD PLAIN ABC. rather than teaching prisoners to box, focuses focusing on gang violence and knife crime. the twelve month rolling advantage shows in the local area. lends a more pastoral angle to the work of on boxing coaching and training others. Over a steady downward trend in the volume of the club. Despite limited resources, Yate ABC Stewart Stacey, the Head of Physical Education an 8 week period, the prisoners involved in the However, both PCCGB and HMP Doncaster calls since the presence of the Dispersal Zone Yate ABC is not a well-off club. Its facilities are is a great example of boxing making a real at Ashfield, recalls that there was not a single programme complete their Level 1 Coaches have had concerns that the boxing project (December 2007 to June 2008) and of a very basic and its only income is from boxers’ difference both to individuals and to a local incident of violence at a boxing academy Award (and associated First Aid and Child is not targeting those prisoners that it could boxing club thereafter. Although we cannot subs and occasional tournaments; all of the community – the relationship between the club session and there were very strict criteria Safeguarding qualifications) , and, upon their best benefit, and so it has been temporarily necessarily attribute the decline entirely to the coaches are volunteers. The club has twenty and the local police has made a lasting and for young offenders to join the programme release, they are placed into an England Boxing suspended due to a lack of suitable candidates. boxing club, the relatively small area measured regular seniors and twenty regular juniors and positive impact. – any participant had to demonstrate first affiliated boxing club in their local community, Both organisations feel that the Ministry of class standards of behaviour, which resulted where they will assist and coach young people. Justice’s requirement that no prisoners with in an improving standard of behaviour violence-related offences can take part is a across the board. Again, the criteria for entry to the programme huge missed opportunity, since it is those with Other clubs do not have a formal connection to the local police, but still do great work in tackling antisocial behaviour. In South , are very strict – prisoners must meet a variety violence and aggression problems that stand mosques are involved in vital work with boxing in local communities. As with the example of Yate ABC, Ashfield of criteria linked to their offences and their most to benefit from boxing. shows once again the powerful combination of behaviour, and all must be nearing the end of

Leyburn Road Mosque, Sheffield Whilst strict criteria are absolutely necessary huge benefit if rolled out more widely, in There is no doubt that extending the facility FIFTEEN MOSQUES IN SOUTH YORKSHIRE supported by Wajid Naseer, a youth leader at and there were concerns that not enough was for programmes such as those at Doncaster more prisons and to more prisoners. to learn to box to violent offenders would INTRODUCED BOXING AS AN ACTIVITY TO the mosque, One Nation Community Centre being done to alleviate the situation. and Ashfield, it could certainly be argued that court some controversy. However, the causes PEOPLE AGED BETWEEN 11 AND 30 THIS is open all day long and also runs sessions “In July 2012 official figures suggested that the ban on violent offenders is not making However, currently, only non-violent of this controversy would be based on YEAR, AS A RESULT OF A PROJECT SUPPORTED for women only. By providing a diversion for 125 anti-social behaviour orders had been best use of the potential of the programme offenders are permitted to do boxing in popular perceptions of boxing, not on the BY ENGLAND BOXING AND SPORTIVATE. young people in the local community, the club handed out in this area alone. A year later has had a huge impact and is set to affiliate to that number had declined to 66. The gym is to turn lives around and reduce reoffending prison or the YOI. Whilst the reasons for this evidence of the effect of the sport on those Aimed at young people attending mosque after England Boxing this season. a positive step in the right direction. Boxing – indeed, if those offenders that have taken are entirely understandable, evidence from inclined towards violence, such as have been school or at weekends, the project has seen provides a great diversion for young people and part are so low risk, then the chance of their this report suggests that in depriving those investigated in this report. Society may have over 2000 people in the region engaged in Wajid said: "Anti-social behaviour was gives them an opportunity to use their energy reoffending was probably minimal anyway. who have anger and violence issues from the to make a choice between doing the initially boxing. Supported by coaches from local clubs, a concern for local residents, who were in a more positive manner.” outlet of channelling that aggression through counter-intuitive, controversial thing which the mosques run sessions on site, with one witnessing some youngsters taking drugs or Boxing has huge potential to make a positive the skill and discipline of boxing, society itself could make our streets safer and turn around Sheffield mosque taking things a step further hanging around on street corners and forming One Nation has recently been selected to difference to offenders (probably the most may be missing a major opportunity, not only individuals’ lives, or continue in doing the by forming its own boxing club. gangs. Police time was being wasted as officers pilot a project funded by Sported aimed at difficult members of society to reach), but in rehabilitating individuals, but in making popular thing, which may be ‘safe’ politically, Set up by former pro boxer Issrar Asif and were forced to focus on nuisance behaviour, empowering volunteers within clubs. this is currently being massively unexploited them less likely to re-offend and making but make our streets, and the lives of those – properly managed programmes, like those our country safer. who live in them, less safe. run at Ashfield and Doncaster, could be of

16 Boxing: The Right Hook | A report by the All Party Parliamentary Group for Boxing­­ Boxing: The Right Hook | A report by the All Party Parliamentary Group for Boxing­­ 17 PART 2 So what can we do?

WE HAVE HIGHLIGHTED THE EVIDENCE The Centre for Social Justice argues that preventing anti-social behaviour, “councils, England Boxing should work together with like Fight for Peace is recorded by measures AND SUGGESTED REASONS WHY, BOXING “the history of public policy shows that children’s trusts and crime and disorder funding bodies to promote the widespread relating to the personal development of SO WHAT SHOULD WE DO? SHOULD BE REGARDED AS AN EFFECTIVE government policy towards sport and reduction partnerships lack the performance use of tools like this in order to strengthen the participants as well as the numbers • England Boxing should work with APPROACH TO COMBAT CRIME AND disadvantaged youth has long assumed that data to make intelligent commissioning the evidence base for boxing as a tool for completing education and training courses. partners across sport to find the most ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR AMONG YOUNG sport can have a beneficial effect and that it decisions about new or repeat schemes.”20 reducing crime and anti-social behaviour and As the cases in this report indicate, the effective mechanisms for the most PEOPLE, AND IMPROVE EDUCATION can serve as a context for youth work.”18 improving education and health outcomes. existing evidence base shows there is good ‘frictionless’ data-gathering. AND HEALTH OUTCOMES. THANKS TO A poll conducted in 2011 also revealed In the light of the benefits that boxing can reason to be very confident about the • England Boxing should then actively PROJECTS LIKE THE PREMIER LEAGUE’S that more people (38%) believe the provide, the inquiry also looked at how the Those the inquiry spoke to emphasised effectiveness of projects that use boxing. work with clubs to support them in using data-gathering systems. ‘KICKZ’ PROGRAMME, THE CONTENTION Government’s main priority for sport funding sport could be better used so as to deliver that the form of measurement used to THAT SPORT MORE GENERALLY HAS AN should be to maximise its contribution to better outcomes in public policy, and what monitor impact will be partly dependent • England Boxing should also work towards organising a central repository IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY IN YOUTH cutting crime and improving education, it would need to do to gain the traction of on the approach taken by the organisation 17 19 for this data, for use in assessing the POLICY IS ALREADY WIDELY ACCEPTED. than for any other area. However, in 2009 more established projects such as those run in question. While the impact of a club like impact of the sport as a whole, and of the Audit Commission concluded that, by The Premier League. Yate ABC can be judged by the fall in crime individual clubs. while sport has an important role to play in figures, the success of a larger organisation

1. Gathering the data 2. Paying the Bills THERE IS EVER GROWING EVIDENCE data about their work. There is a need to TO SUPPLEMENT THE VAST WEALTH empower these individuals to demonstrate ANOTHER REASON MANY CLUBS ARE NOT therefore the last thing needed is their Contributors to this inquiry also OF ANECDOTE THAT BOXING, LIKE ALL their impact to enable them to access INVESTING TIME, MONEY AND EFFORT IN time being devoured by form-filling in the highlighted problems with the SPORT, IS A VERY EFFECTIVE MECHANISM funding more easily. DATA-GATHERING ACTIVITIES IS BECAUSE pursuit of external support. Furthermore, external funding environment which IN TURNING AROUND LIVES. BUT ITS THEY ARE QUITE SIMPLY STRUGGLING TO the point was made during the inquiry that serve to further limit the ability of POTENTIAL IS NOT BEING TAKEN UP AND To demonstrate impact requires information, PAY THE BILLS. AT A TIME OF CUTBACKS, the majority of boxing coaches are likely volunteers to access funding easily. EXPLOITED. THIS IS BECAUSE OF ACTIVELY and collecting relevant data is becoming Upshot is an online monitoring and MANY LOCAL AUTHORITIES ARE RAISING to have been attracted to sport precisely As the case of Broad Plain ABC NEGATIVE PERCEPTIONS ABOUT WHAT less onerous through the development evaluation system developed by the THE RENT ON PREMISES, AND WITH RISING because it did not involve paperwork. illustrates, the funding landscape THE SPORT IS, AND THE EFFECTS IT HAS of technology. In this era of smart Football Foundation. The software was FUEL BILLS, CLUBS WHICH ARE NOT ABLE Indeed, many come from disadvantaged is difficult to navigate and unduly created with the aim of allowing data to TO CHARGE THEIR MEMBERS A HIGH backgrounds themselves and do not always burdensome for clubs that rely on ON THOSE WHO PARTICIPATE IN COMBAT phones and tablets, it is increasingly be captured without imposing a significant FEE CAN STRUGGLE. have the skills to write complex bids or write volunteers. From the point of view SPORTS; BUT IT IS ALSO ABOUT SIMPLE easy to replace burdensome paperwork burden on the coaches and volunteers LACK OF AWARENESS OF THE IMPACT OF with much more accessible methods of delivering programmes. up supporting evidence and calculations. To of an amateur club, there is a need THE SPORT ON LIVES. capturing information. This is a tragedy. When the average club address this lack of resource and knowledge, for greater clarity and consistency WORKING HARD TO DELIVER The software offers a range of tools can cost just £25k per year to run, can all amateur clubs should have access to help across funding streams both in terms This can only be remedied through better YOUR‘Upshot’, COMMUNITY which has been developed PROJECTS? to support the administration of train around 60 people, and save the State and support in the form of a development of the objectives of funding as well gathering of data, better evaluation and by the Football Foundation as a user- community projects: the inordinate costs of a young person officer. There are clubs whose leaders as the measurements used to assess transmission of that data in a format WEfriendly CAN monitoring HELP and YOUevaluation PROVE tool, IT! • Management: Users can keep going onto the criminal justice system, routinely struggle to complete paperwork impact. Organisations which offer track of participants, organise tasks amenable to politicians, the public sector, Upshotis just is anone online example management of a system system designed this is a priceless resource that we need and identify funding opportunities: having a funding should be sympathetic and keep a diary. and commissioners of services. The data thatto helps go justyou manage,this. monitor and to better exploit. person on the end of a phone who can offer to the predicament of volunteer- currently does not exist because in general, evidence your community projects. • Monitoring: A dashboard allows advice and direction would be a huge boost led organisations, for example by boxing clubs (as other sports clubs) are targets to be automatically monitored While generating evidence about the in these circumstances. engaging in person rather than relying and statistical reports to be generated bad at gathering it. Many boxing coaches impact of boxing is important, so too is on written applications. easily and quickly. went into boxing to get away from paper- √ Measures outcomes the provision of practical support when it The example of the Club Funding Officer

• Evaluation: Users can create and √ Creates reports TS ‘HOW TO MEASURE comes to using that evidence to apply for initiative in demonstrates how heavy activities, some suggest there is a OUTCOMES’ √ Records participation EVENT analyse surveys, store evidence, √ Collects quality data funding. It was made clear to the inquiry valuable external support can be. We propensity for boxers to find administration generate maps of participants and √ Saves time and is that volunteers need a lot more help and recommend that England Boxing should and paperwork particularly difficult, and easy-to-use produce written summaries of evidence. the aim of the club is boxing, not data √ Can be paper-free guidance in this respect than they currently seek to extend this support by ensuring √ Provides support Upshot has been developed for √ Is low cost receive. The role of coaches is one of the every club has access to a regional officer. gathering. Moreover, the major limitation use by delivery and funding bodies facing clubs is that volunteers and paid both within and outside of the sport most important aspects of boxing, and coaches typically lack the time, expertise and sector. It is currently used by over 100 financial resources to collect and interpret organisations, including local authorities, universities and charities. To find out more about how Upshot can help you, or for a free 17 For a detailed summary of the research see: Sport and Recreationdemonstration, (2012) please Game call of 020 Life 7842 pp. 8899111-132. or visit www.upshot.org.uk www.upshot.org.uk 18 Centre for Social Justice (2011) More Than A Game, p. 25. 19 CSJ/YouGov, cited in Centre for Social Justice (2011) Morewww.upshot.org.uk Than A Game, p. 40. @UpshotSystem 20 Audit Commission (2009) Tired of Hanging Around, p. 3.

18 Boxing: The Right Hook | A report by the All Party Parliamentary Group for Boxing­­ Boxing: The Right Hook | A report by the All Party Parliamentary Group for Boxing­­ 19 3. cleverer commissioning Club Funding Officers

By Daniel Allen, England Boxing This needn’t be the end of the story, however. Club Funding Officers have already made a THE FUNDING ENVIRONMENT ALSO Club Support Officer In the East Midlands a number of boxing clubs difference in Leicester. The support offered OFFERS OPPORTUNITIES AS WELL AS have benefitted from the support of Club by a Club Funding Officer when it comes to BOXING CLUBS ARE TRADITIONALLY RUN Funding Officers – volunteers specialising in writing bids, interpreting eligibility criteria and CHALLENGES, AND THE PUBLIC SECTOR BY A COMMITTEE OF VOLUNTEERS, WHO finding and writing bids for external funding obtaining relevant information from clubs HAS A CRUCIAL ROLE TO PLAY IN THE WAY DEDICATE THEIR SPARE TIME TO DEALING with the support of a regional England Boxing has made a real difference. During the two- THAT IT PROMOTES THE POSITIVE ROLE WITH THE DAY-TO-DAY TASKS REQUIRED officer. As a regional officer for England Boxing, month pilot of the scheme, five out of the THAT A SPORT LIKE BOXING CAN PLAY IN TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG I’ve been able to establish a network consisting eight participating clubs were awarded funds EDUCATION, HEALTH, AND COMMUNITY PEOPLE TO TAKE UP THE SPORT. IN THE of clubs, local authority representatives, a totalling £7000 from Sported and the Central SAFETY. FOR EXAMPLE, THE DEPARTMENT VAST MAJORITY OF CASES, VOLUNTEERS voluntary agency, the university and local Social and Recreational Trust. This success has FOR EDUCATION’S REFORM OF THE TEND TO HAVE A PERSONAL CONNECTION colleges in order to find suitable candidates built confidence within the network and the ALTERNATIVE PROVISION MARKET PRESENTS TO THE CLUB, EITHER AS MEMBERS OF THE for this new role. The initiative is particularly intention is to expand the scheme even further, COMMUNITY OR AS RELATIVES OF MEMBERS. suited to students, who are constantly assessed and I’m pleased to say we have been inundated AN OPPORTUNITY FOR BOXING PROVIDERS WHILE THESE INDIVIDUALS ARE THEREFORE on their writing, research and critical analysis by applications. For continued effectiveness, it’s TO BE COMMISSIONED BY SCHOOLS TO USUALLY PASSIONATE, COMMITTED AND skills. Gaining a placement with a boxing crucial that boxing clubs buy into the idea and WORK WITH PUPILS WHO ARE AT RISK OF LOYAL, IT DOESN’T NECESSARILY MEAN club gives them a valuable opportunity to offer their Club Funding Officer incentives, such LEAVING THE EDUCATION SYSTEM – THE THAT THEY HAVE ALL THE QUALIFICATIONS apply their knowledge in a practical setting, as free membership and training opportunities. EXAMPLES OF THE BOXING ACADEMY OR EXPERTISE REQUIRED DEVELOP THE as well as boost their CV and employability. The coordinating role of the national governing AND FIGHT FOR PEACE SUGGEST THAT CLUB. WITH THE MAJORITY OF VOLUNTEERS In return, boxing clubs benefit from the body is also key, to ensure that all officers have BOXING CAN MAKE A VERY EFFECTIVE ALREADY STRETCHED TO FULL CAPACITY, AND contribution of a proactive individual who is the support they need. CONTRIBUTION TO THE EDUCATION Justice25, and the Department for Culture, now, sufficient data exists, and a sufficient OFTEN WITHOUT EXPERIENCE IN COMPLETING willing and able to go the extra mile to access 26 FUNDING APPLICATIONS, THE RESULT IS THAT much-needed funding. SYSTEM AND NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN Media and Sport , all of which have number of users of boxing as a public CLUBS OFTEN FAIL TO FULFIL THEIR POTENTIAL. THE EDUCATION WORLD TOWARDS an obvious stake in sport policy, show a service exist to be able to make a case to the A ROYAL COLLEGE OF TEACHING lukewarm attitude to the benefits of boxing, public sector for commissioning purposes. SHOULD FURTHER THE PROMOTION OF with some positive statements about boxing Boxing, and sport as a whole, must become EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE. but little, if any, initiative to back them up. a lot better at presenting its case, and what Broad Plain ABC On one level, this is not surprising, given it can offer, to public service commissioners, Further opportunities lie in youth justice and the Government’s welcome commitment and professionals within those services. THE RIVERSIDE YOUTH PROJECT IS complicated and insecure. Dennis paints a further paperwork to be filled in to prove the offender rehabilitation, as well as in this to devolution of power to individual bodies A VOLUNTARY ORGANISATION AND bleak picture of the difficulties of applying for worth of the money on the ground – this often Government’s expressed desire to open up (schools, Clinical Commissioning Groups, Specifically, the blanket ban on violent REGISTERED CHARITY BASED IN BRISTOL THAT and acquiring funding, particularly for a small necessitates lots of number crunching and procurement and commissioning of services police forces etc.), but a negative knock-on offenders taking part in boxing programmes ENCOURAGES YOUNG PEOPLE TO REACH organisation such as Riverside. He spends many recording of statistics before any funds will be – the Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012, effect of such decision making structures is a huge missed opportunity and THEIR POTENTIAL BY INVOLVING THEM IN hours applying for different pots of funding, released to the club. On numerous occasions SPORT AND EDUCATION PROJECTS. IT WAS large and small – a process he describes as over the last few years, delays like this have for example, requires public authorities is that, too often, there is not a forum for should be reassessed. SET UP BY DENNIS STINCHCOMBE MBE IN “a tedious and time consuming job” in that prevented Riverside from being able to pay “to have regard to economic, social and sharing best practice. 1984 AND PROVIDES THE OPPORTUNITY every application requires filling in reams of their staff. This situation is further complicated environmental well-being in connection with TO GET INVOLVED WITH ACTIVITIES SUCH paperwork and most end up being unsuccessful by the fact that each funding stream requires public services contracts”21. Arguably, there At Haringey Boxing Club, its founder and SO WHAT SHOULD WE DO? AS FOOTBALL, BASKETBALL, AND BOXING. anyway. Smaller projects like this one are different information, so organisers like Dennis has never been a better time for boxing and club secretary, Gerry Willmott, is a serving • England Boxing and other sporting THE BROAD PLAIN POLICE ABC, WHICH at a huge disadvantage compared to larger spend even more hours on paperwork rather sport to engage with government bodies – it police officer. Since 1999, the local youth bodies, as well as interested MPs, OPERATES AS PART OF THE PROJECT, IS THE charities, which can employ paid fundraisers than doing what they want to do: running is now up to both sides to make it happen. offending team has been sending young should make the case to date for boxing WESTERN COUNTIES CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE and bid writers to organise and co-ordinate successful clubs. people who are on bail to the club, if and sport straight to public sector IN BOXING, WITH OVER ONE HUNDRED their applications. This is not a luxury that Broad commissioners and professional bodies YOUNG BOXERS AT ALL LEVELS, SOME OF Plain enjoys, and Dennis says that the club The funding landscape is difficult enough given This does not mean to say that there are not they express an interest in boxing. Whilst significant limitations to the engagement it is undoubtedly positive to see such e.g. medical Royal Colleges, Police WHOM HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO BOX is forced to live month-to-month and is just the current economic situation – Riverside has and Crime Commissioners, Clinical between sport provision and the public relationships forged between clubs and local ABROAD. UNDER DENNIS’S LEADERSHIP, THE keeping its head above water. this year lost £68,000 due to funding changes Commissioning Groups etc. CLUB HAS RECEIVED NATIONAL RECOGNITION and £10,000 for youth work from Bristol City sector, and there is certainly much more police and probation services, the legitimacy FOR THE POSITIVE IMPACT IT IS HAVING ON The funding problem doesn’t just stop at the Council. These funds were specifically used to that the Government can do to promote of clubs helping young offenders for free is • The Ministry of Justice and the National Offender Management Service should YOUNG PEOPLE FROM INNER-CITY AREAS time spent filling in applications. Dennis also target the most at risk young people in central the benefits of sport and achieve real results questionable, especially when they represent OF BRISTOL WHO MIGHT OTHERWISE LACK highlights the demanding requirements put Bristol, many of them truants, in care, or work with prisons, young offenders across the board in achieving better health much better value for money than many institutions, and England Boxing to DIRECTION AND FOCUS. upon the club on the rare occasions that a bid involved in crime and gangs. The difficulties of outcomes, safer communities, lower crime, traditional interventions anyway. is successful. Clubs like Broad Plain have to applying for, acquiring and sustaining funding encourage a wider rollout of non-contact Despite the club’s undoubted success, however, deal with huge delays in actually receiving the mean that successful boxing clubs like Broad and greater discipline in schools and prisons. boxing programmes for offenders. A the funding outlook for the future is both funds, as funding organisations often require Plain face a constant battle to survive. Parliamentary questions to the Home Although there is still some way to go to limited pilot scheme offering non-contact Office22, the Department of Health23, the enable smaller organisations to compete on boxing programmes to violent offenders Department for Education24, the Ministry of an equal footing with large providers, even should be initiated. This pilot should be rigorously monitored, and, if it proves to 21 Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012 - http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2012/3/enacted be demonstrably successful, rolled out SO WHAT SHOULD WE DO? gradually across criminal justice system. 22 PQ 169159 - http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmhansrd/cm130913/text/130913w0002.htm#13091339000696 • England Boxing should provide regional club funding managers to guide clubs to get funds. 23 PQ 169160 - http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmhansrd/cm130913/text/130913w0001.htm#13091339000633 • England Boxing and other sporting bodies should work with the voluntary sector to support the creation of a “simplicity kitemark” 24 PQ 169158 - http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmhansrd/cm130913/text/130913w0001.htm#13091339000613 – that is, a recognised and certified level of simplicity for funding applications. 25 PQ 161697 - http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmhansrd/cm130718/text/130718w0003.htm#13071896001128 26 169161 - http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmhansrd/cm130913/text/130913w0001.htm#13091339000484

20 Boxing: The Right Hook | A report by the All Party Parliamentary Group for Boxing­­ Boxing: The Right Hook | A report by the All Party Parliamentary Group for Boxing­­ 21 4. sport at the centre of government Conclusion

ONE FURTHER PROBLEMATIC AREA An underlying reason why the benefits of SO WHAT SHOULD WE DO? BOXING CAN BE A MECHANISM; ‘THE Evidence increasingly supports anecdote have called on England Boxing to support SEEMS TO BE THE RESPECT IN WHICH THE boxing and other sports have not been • All government departments responsible RIGHT HOOK’ FOR MANY OTHER SOCIAL in showing that boxing can turn lives evidence-gathering and ensure that every MINISTER WITH RESPONSIBILITY FOR SPORT fully exploited in the formation of public for public services should designate INTERVENTIONS. IT IS ALSO MORE and communities around. Features of the amateur club has support in the form of RESIDES IN DCMS RATHER THAN ACROSS policy is because of the governmental one of their ministers as responsible for COST EFFECTIVE THAN MANY CURRENT sport such as the authoritative presence of a regional funding officer. This report has THE OTHER DEPARTMENTS WITH A CLEAR structure, and tendency of departments sport policy insofar as in pertains to that ALTERNATIVES. SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE coaches, the appeal of combat, the inherent underlined the importance of providing INTEREST IN SPORT POLICY. IT MAY VERY to work in isolation – too often are MPs department. The Minister of Sport should ALREADY EXISTS TO BACK THIS CLAIM UP. focus on control, discipline and hard work, user-friendly monitoring and evaluation WELL BE THAT A LACK OF CO-ORDINATION and other interested parties directed to work with them to encourage a more co- and the sociable environment of the gym mechanisms to help volunteers demonstrate OF SPORT POLICY ACROSS GOVERNMENT the Department for Culture, Media and ordinated approach to sports policy. In order to overcome both simple ignorance, all combine to make boxing a powerful their impact, provided evidence of some IS HAMPERING THE WIDER AND MORE Sport, instead of a potentially more relevant • Each relevant department should conduct and historical prejudice, the boxing world tool to engage some of the hardest to mechanisms that currently exist and EFFECTIVE USE OF BOXING AND OTHER department. Sport and physical activity has an audit of its physical activity and must do more to gather evidence of its reach individuals. Boxing is rarely given the highlighted the challenges and opportunities sport policy, detailing the impact of its SPORTS AS DETAILED IN THIS REPORT. a much wider role that is expressed through polices on sport and physical activity, impact. The Government needs to do recognition it deserves, however, and as a that exist within the funding environment JUST AS THE SPORTING COMMUNITY the last letter of DCMS, and this needs to be and the opportunities its policies create more to structurally embed sport in its result clubs can find themselves struggling and in government sports policy. NEEDS TO DO MORE TO ENGAGE reflected across government. for using sport or physical activity as public services and their departments; and to obtain the support they need to continue WITH POLICYMAKERS AND FUNDING an intervention. These audits should professional bodies, commissioners and local making a contribution to their communities. In doing so, this report recognises and ORGANISATIONS, WE BELIEVE THAT THE With a minister responsible for sport be reported to the Minister for Sport authorities need to do more to engage with In response this inquiry has considered some pays tribute to those individuals who GOVERNMENT SHOULD CONSIDER THE in each of the relevant public service and repeated on a regular basis, as boxing and sporting bodies to better exploit of the challenges that exist when it comes make a difference to young people and EVIDENCE PRESENTED IN THIS REPORT departments and the Minister for Sport determined by the Minster. what sport, boxing and physical activity to demonstrating impact and navigating the communities through boxing, and hope AND ACTIVELY CONSIDER HOW AMATEUR acting as a government-wide champion • In the longer term, it would be desirable can do in realising their aims, with cleverer external funding environment. that their admirable work will benefit from BOXING CLUBS, AS WELL AS OTHER for sport, the Government should aim for to have the Government perform a sports commissioning. Politicians, local authorities, increasing support and profile, and a more COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS, CAN BE a -departmental approach to sport impact assessment on all relevant policies, and service commissioners may at times This inquiry has recommended that that energetic and pragmatic approach from so that it can be publically acknowledged MORE READILY ENGAGED AND SUPPORTED and physical activity. However, this is a have to be brave and look at evidence, not local authorities and Members of Parliament government in harnessing the economic and what affect government decisions have IN HELPING TO DELIVER POLICY OBJECTIVES notoriously difficult aim to achieve: many on sport and physical activity. popular or vocal opinion. seek to engage with organisations which social benefit they provide. SUCH AS IMPROVING EDUCATIONAL aspirational reports have pumped out this are engaging with young people, and ATTAINMENT AND FOSTERING SAFER AND recommendation in the past, but it has MORE COHESIVE COMMUNITIES. not happened. This report suggests a less intimidating, and hopefully more realistic, incremental approach. Acknowledgements

THE ALL PARTY PARLIAMENTARY GROUP FOR BOXING WISHES Sangita Patel - Sported TO THANK THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE, WHO PROVIDED ORAL Lord Pendry OR WRITTEN EVIDENCE TO THE INQUIRY: David Pritchard - New Philanthropy Capital Marigold Ride - Fight for Peace Mark Abberley - England Boxing Dr Tamara Russell - Mindfulness Centre of Excellence Norman Abusin - HMP & YOI Doncaster Alice Sampson - University of East London Daniel Allen - England Boxing Stewart Stacey - HMP Ashfield Brian Anderson - HMP Lowdon Grange Dennis Stinchcombe MBE - Riverside Youth Project James Baderman - Fight for Peace Gerry Storey MBE - Holy Family Golden Gloves Boxing Club Martin Bisp - Empire Fighting Chance Paul Thorogood - Football Foundation Harriett Brooks - Access Sport George Turner - Fitzroy Lodge ABC Anna Cain - London Boxing Academy Gerry Willmott MBE - Haringey Boxing Academy Simon Cooper - London Mayor’s Office Michael de Giorgio - Greenhouse The following Members of the All Party Parliamentary Group Rebecca Donnelly - Fight for Change for Boxing served on the inquiry panel: Luke Dowdney MBE - Fight for Peace Jonathan France - Ecorys UK Charlotte Leslie MP (Chair) Jim Hill - Western Counties ABC Lord Addington Andy Hurdle - Department for Education Steve Barclay MP Barry Jones MBE - Police Community Clubs of Great Britain Kate Hoey MP Julian Kern - Avon and Somerset Constabulary Dr Phillip Lee MP James MacDougall - Sport and Recreation Alliance Gerry Sutcliffe MP Simon Marcus - London Boxing Academy Andy Parrott - Premier League Charitable Fund We also wish to offer special thanks to Simon Butler for his support in running the inquiry.

22 Boxing: The Right Hook | A report by the All Party Parliamentary Group for Boxing­­ Boxing: The Right Hook | A report by the All Party Parliamentary Group for Boxing­­ 23