The Harrow Club – Debate Boxing
Encouraging young people to work out and speak out
Question: What do you get when you cross boxing training with competitive debating?
Answer: The latest innovation from youth charity the Harrow Club – ‘Debate Boxing’!
Our grant will help fund this specialist youth programme, which takes the physical workout and discipline of boxing training and sparring and combines it with the mental workout of competitive team debating.
Established in 1883, the Harrow Club runs youth clubs and projects in West London. Their aim is to empower young people to complete their education and strive for a positive future. As well as offering a range of activities, including sports, music, dance and drama, young people are given support and encouragement to overcome challenges and pursue their goals.
Debate boxing is the Harrow Club’s latest programme. It has been developed over the past four years in collaboration with Debate Mate and London Sports Trust. So far, around 100 young people have taken part.
Our grant of £23,112 to the Harrow Club means another 50 young people, aged 11 to 13, will benefit from the programme in 2021.
- Debate Boxing has been developed over the last four years. So far, around 100 young people have taken part.
- Our grant of £23,112 to the Harrow Club will help fund 50 places on the programme for 11 to 13 year olds who are struggling with the transition to secondary school.
- Key skills developed from Debate Boxing include: discipline, teamwork, research skills, planning, public speaking, and fitness techniques.
Developing fitness, skills and confidence
From four non-selective state schools in Kensington and Chelsea, pupils taking part will be those who are at risk of exclusion. Debate Boxing aims to build their confidence and interpersonal skills as well as their future aspirations.
Specific skills developed during Debate Boxing include: time keeping, target setting, teamwork, research skills, planning, public speaking, and workout and boxing techniques. Staff are there to provide inspiration and extra support to anyone who needs it.
Usually, the first taster sessions happen in school and then training and competitions take place in the community. Part of the programme can also be delivered online if it’s necessary to stop face to face delivery because of COVID-19 restrictions.
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