Other Sport / boxing
Boxing to break down barriers
Brows furrowed in concentration, youngsters from different neighbourhoods across Bristol are throwing punches at each other.
There is little communication beyond the odd grunt of effort and thud of padded boxing gloves as the teens spar against each other, light on their feet and primed ready to dodge out of the way.
Here in a wooden-floored room in the belly of Bridge Learning Campus in Whitchurch, the small group of students are taking part in a pilot project that aims to promote integration among people from different backgrounds and break down barriers through sport.
is needed now More than ever
It is hoped that channelling interest and energy into boxing will encourage positive outcomes, while preventing hate crime and prejudice from building among younger generations by focusing on a common interest.
PC Westerlink and Bradley Parsons
Connor Bevan and teacher, Wayne May
“It’s a good way to get your anger out and good for fitness because the training is really hard work,” says year eight student Sion, from Cotham School, pausing for a breath.
“It’s the thrill and also getting all your anger out of the way,” agrees Connor Bevan, from Bridge Learning Campus, who has boxed before and is patiently going through techniques with his sparring partner.
Jake Swinscoe and Mitchell Leaman
Overseeing the session is Harvey Hemsley, a boxing coach from Empire Fighting Chance.
“Boxing brings everyone together and makes a difference,” he says. “There is far more to learn than people first realise and it’s hard work and a skill to learn.”
Gesturing round the room full of students, intently focused on their sport, Hemsley adds: “This is their second session of three hours and no one is showing any signs of being bored.
“It is a sport that can appeal to anyone. My sessions run the same whether you’re Mike Tyson or my nan – they all get something out of it.”
PC Paul Westerlink, the school beat manager at Bridge Learning Campus, has led the pilot project, involving five schools – including Merchants’ Academy, Bedminster Down and City Academy – and says he hopes it will be possible to get the right funding in place for it to continue long term.
“Boxing is a disciplined sport, it’s exciting and helps build restraint,” he says. “It’s certainly had good engagement from the kids, who all said they have really enjoyed it.
“At the beginning, there were some nerves about mixing with others from different areas, but on the whole, it has brought them together and there’s been laughs and smiles all round.”
Mike Emery, a teacher at Cotham School, said the initiative is great in that it helps instil discipline in a constructive way that channels students’ energy into sport rather than bad behaviour.
Some of the group taking part in the boxing project
Read more: ‘We want the league to be as inclusive and social as possible’
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