Young people in Rother Valley will continue to be supported by Dinnington Community Boxing Club as it receives £336,000 National Lottery funding.

The club came about through the community’s concern that young people had nothing to do in the area.

Since opening in 2019, the club has worked with schools and partners to provide sports activities for young people.

Jake Richards, MP for Rother Valley, said: “This is fantastic news for the local community and means the club can continue their work with young people.”

The club also works with disability groups, women and girls and adult boxers.

In the last year, they’ve had over 8,000 people come through their doors.

The funding, which will last until April 2027, will allow them to keep their staff and their home at Dinnington High School.

They will also be able to hire two youth development coaches so that they have capacity to support more students and young people.

According to Alliance of Sport and Criminal Justice, research shows that boxing combats anti-social behaviour.

Mr Richards said: “The club does valuable work providing alternative provision to young peopleand supporting children’s physical and mental wellbeing.

The club is planning to promote the positive impact boxing has on young people in parliament in the spring as part of a wider network with Empire Fighting Chance.

Ian Huddleston, CEO said: “We hope to develop our alternative provision programme and take our model, which isn’t done anywhere else in the UK, to new academies and schools.”

Featured image (Source – Andrew Musgrave).