Youth boxing gym celebrates major funding boost

David Robinson (l), Alex Palfreyman and Ian Huddleston (r) from DC Boxing run classes in local schools

An "irreplaceable" community boxing club for young people in South Yorkshire has welcomed a National Lottery funding boost helping it to continue.

Dinnington Community Boxing Club in Rotherham has provided classes for more than 5,500 students since it started in 2019, including alternative provision sessions for children at risk of being excluded from school.

After a successful bid for money from the National Lottery's Reaching Communities fund in 2022, the club announced it will now receive £336,000 over two years to secure team salary and rent.

Jake Richards, MP for Rother Valley, said community groups such as the boxing club in Dinnington "are the best of us".

Founders Ian Huddleston and David Robinson said the club was established to meet local demand for sporting activities and help address concerns about antisocial behaviour.

It now runs sessions in local schools and has two gyms based at Dinnington High School and Maltby Academy.

Lucas, 12, is one of the students attending boxing classes at the club

Mr Huddleston said their achievement was measured by the impact on those taking part.

"Our aim is to get young people back to where they need to be, whether that means improving their physical or mental wellbeing, their confidence, or just opening up," he said.

"They might see something in boxing and want to do it, or they might not, but it might give them that little piece of what they need to be successful in life."

Phil Davis, executive head teacher at Dinnington High School, said the club offered "belonging and togetherness" for students.

"I think it's fair to say the traditional curriculum, for some of our young people, is not the go-to - it's not the thing that infuses and motivates them," he said.

"DC Boxing gives them an opportunity to thrive and succeed at something beyond the classroom."

'Relieves my anger'

Lucas, 12, said boxing during school hours helped him to concentrate in classes because it "gets my brain going".

Fion, 13, said it helped her to deal with feelings of frustration and anger.

"It relieves all my anger and for the rest of the day I'm OK," she said.

She said the club was teaching them to avoid confrontations outside of the gym.

"It could get us hurt and they really care about us," she said.

The club has two gyms at Dinnington High School and Maltby Academy

Richards, a Labour MP, said: "DC Boxing plays an irreplaceable role in our community, giving young people a safe space off the streets to exercise and develop."

He emphasised the importance of deterring antisocial behaviour against the backdrop of rioting in Rotherham earlier this year.

"DC Boxing held a number of events to show unity and solidarity in the face of violence," he said.

"Community groups like this are the best of us and I look forward to seeing the club thrive in the future."

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