How does a boxing coach manage a weekend of competition? What are the practicalities? How do we create an environment for the boxers to perform at their best? We all have our different approaches, in this video I talk you through my approach to a weekend of competition at the Midlands Box Cup.
I took a team of boxers to a box cup. This is a multi-fight competition that takes place over a couple of days. We attended the Midlands Box Cup in June 2024. I learned a bunch of lessons, the boxers had an experience to remember for a long time to come.
In this video I talk you through the experience.
Thoughts and questions welcome.
Fran
PS – Here’s the link to Simon’s boxing equipment channel
by 
Mr Sands.
Thank you for sharing about the weekend comp. I found it very touching, actually. Your commitment to the kids you work with shines through. I particularly loved your comment “coaching is about giving”, and your attitude of “what can I give?”, as opposed to “what can I get?”.
You’ve made comments in past videos about the area of Liverpool that your club is in, and the social issues faced by the people in the surrounding area. I know that, in my home town of Dublin, and in other places all over the world, historically, boxing clubs like yours have often provided kids from working class, often poor or deprived backgrounds with a focus, – an anchor. A place where, if they’re lucky, they’ll have great mentors like you and your fellow coaches. For many, that may be the only place they can get that kind of connection, guidance and support. You and I both know, it’s about a lot more than teaching how to throw a good jab.
Yet again, Fran, you have my greatest respect, as do your fellow coaches. I hope you know that you and people like you make a big difference. You make a difference in the lives of the kids you help, their families and friends, – in your community.
Thanks for what you do, Fran. I have no doubt the many, many kids you and your colleagues have helped are so much the better for all the work, support, and, yes, love you give them.
Best regards,
Karl
Hey Karl
Thanks mate, that’s really kind.
I mentioned in the video that kids haven’t changed, it’s the environment that has changes and in some key ways not for the better.
30 years ago there were 4 youth clubs PLUS the boxing club within 20 minutes walking distance of my home. Now, there is just the boxing club.
As a society we can’t have it both ways, we can’t criticise kids on one hand and not do our part. We have a responsibility to try and create an environment that helps kids be challenged and challenge themselves. I believe that the work that boxing coaches in clubs like ours (not just in Liverpool and Dublin but all over the World) help provide that challenge. If we sit around and wait for governments to do it, we’ll be waiting a long time.
Keep well mate, and keep up the hard work 🥊
Thanks for sharing the experience, really valuable video for an aspiring coach. Remember going to a few of these myself as a novice amateur here in Canada when I first started out. A great experience really, and awesome memories!
Glad you liked it Dan. Was a great weekend and as you say the boxers were on a real high afterwards. Nice for you to reminisce too