Boxing club project to use sport as therapy

Carl Dickins, from Wallop Boxing Club, Dan Bailey, from The Fort and Joe Lockley, from Bright Star Boxing, are all taking part in the project (left to right)

Four boxing clubs have come together to deliver a programme for schoolchildren that encourages them to make positive life choices, and improve their mental health.

Led by Brightstar Boxing, based in Shifnal, the 12-week Believe project will run in primary and secondary schools in the West Midlands.

Also delivering the programme is The Fort Boxing, in Whitchurch, Box Clever, based in Solihull, and Redditch's Wallop Boxing Club.

"It's really exciting news for the different schools in the different areas," said Dan Bailey, head coach at The Fort.

'Boxing is their safe space'

The Believe project has been backed by the Inclusive Communities Fund, a legacy scheme from the 2022 Commonwealth Games, and will see coaches mentor children alongside boxing sessions.

It is also designed to help the young people control their emotional triggers, build positive relationships, and establish role models.

Mr Bailey, who opened The Fort after boxing in the Army and for England, said he had seen the activity help children open up.

"Within three months, not even that, you build that connection. It's their safe place, you can see positive changes," he said.

"When people are just sitting there, they kind of freeze and they go into their shell.

"When you’re moving round, doing an activity, getting those endorphins going, you start talking about positive things, positive changes."