South Yorkshire boxing club pays visit to Empire

Ian and Alex from the club popped down for some strategic support after recently receiving some major funding from the National Lottery.

This funding will allow the club to continue to support young people all across South Yorkshire, and increase the impact they are having. Already working across seven schools in their area, they aim to go further and work with even more, taking the Box champions programme as far and wide as they can. 

Across the two-day visit to Empire, the staff here supported the team with their offer, programme delivery and planning over the next two years.

This strategy will see them broaden their reach, deepen their impact, and increase the support they can offer.

Ian Huddlestone, CEO of Dinnington Community Boxing, who was in Bristol said: “Working with Empire over the last two years has made a massive impact. We have been working on the Box Champions model which has increased out offer in local schools. We have been down to Bristol several times now and it has really helped with our planning, and the development of our charity organisation.

We are also really excited about the new partnership with Matchroom, and how this can support us to link in with local politicians. Our MP has been really supportive in our area, so building a collective across different clubs and MPs will really strengthen our hand.”

His colleague Alex Palfreyman , who is Project Co-ordinator at DC Boxing, has personally seen the transformative nature of boxing in his own life, and the subsequent impact it has had on his local community.

He said: “I absolutely believe that non-contact boxing can have a huge impact on the lives of young people. It benefitted me after a work accident, and now I support others.

For a long time boxing has undersold itself, it’s a fantastic amateur, Olympic and professional sport but it’s so much more than that. It’s such a crucial and critical part of the community and we don’t shout about it enough. So this platform and partnership between Empire and DC Boxing, and now Matchroom, gives boxing the limelight it deserves.”

Aaron Morten, Development Manager at Empire, oversees and manages the boxing clubs that are a part of our UK network. He was particularly pleased to start the new year with one of our most valued members.

He said : “It was great to have Ian and Alex at the gym for a couple of days. Coming to Bristol is a good opportunity for them take themselves away from their busy day to day activities and get some space to think.

We used the time to strategically plan the next 12 months. We have shared the Empire model with DC which they have taken and adapted to best suit them and the needs in their community.

What they have achieved in the past two years has been amazing. I really enjoy working with them, they are hugely ambitious and deliver some truly impactful work.

I cant wait to see where they are at come the end of the year.”

We look forward to welcoming more current and new boxing club partners to Empire in 2025. More details on our work with boxing clubs across the UK can be found here.

And if you want to become involved then drop an email to Aaron here.