Youth boxing project delivers real change - coach

Epsom Boxing Academy ran the programme with the borough council

Participants in a new youth boxing initiative have shown "unbelievable change," according to their coach.

Epsom Boxing Academy ran the programme with 14 children referred from local schools.

The youngsters received an England Boxing Bronze Award and an AQA Empire Fighting Chance Award in nutrition and health.

Joe Harding, the academy's coach and founder, said: "The results were outstanding. We were extremely proud to be part of such a great project."

Mr Harding said life coaching and mentoring had helped the students improve their self-confidence, personal discipline, and punctuality.

He said: "We were able to provide a safe space and an environment for the young people to express themselves.

"We saw an unbelievable change in the students over the weeks as they developed and demonstrated boxing techniques, learnt about the human body, and about food labels and nutrition."

The project was led by Epsom and Ewell Borough Council.

Councillor Clive Woodbridge, chair of the council's community and wellbeing committee, said he was honoured to have attended last month's graduation ceremony.

He added: "We know that community schemes like this one are a fantastic way to tackle inclusion in sport whilst promoting positive outcomes for young people in our borough."