The Role of Amateur Gyms in the Community: A Lifeline or a Liability?
By Billie Sloane
In the heart of countless towns and cities across the UK, amateur boxing gyms provide more than just a place to train—they act as pillars of support, discipline, and community. With more than 1,500 amateur boxing clubs scattered throughout the UK, these gyms offer spaces where young people can learn discipline, respect, and resilience. Yet, despite the enormous value they bring, these gyms often struggle to stay afloat, and Chris Webb MP recently raised the issue in the House of Commons, calling for greater government support.
Webb questioned why these gyms—many of which play a critical role in preventing crime and nurturing youth—are left to survive without public funding. Are these gyms businesses that should fend for themselves, or are they vital community assets that deserve public support?
In the heart of countless towns and cities across the UK, amateur boxing gyms provide more than just a place to train—they act as pillars of support, discipline, and community. With more than 1,500 amateur boxing clubs scattered throughout the UK, these gyms offer spaces where young people can learn discipline, respect, and resilience. Yet, despite the enormous value they bring, these gyms often struggle to stay afloat, and Chris Webb MP recently raised the issue in the House of Commons, calling for greater government support.
Webb questioned why these gyms—many of which play a critical role in preventing crime and nurturing youth—are left to survive without public funding. Are these gyms businesses that should fend for themselves, or are they vital community assets that deserve public support?
Community Anchor or Community Risk?
Amateur gyms have a reputation for transforming lives, particularly in underprivileged areas where opportunities are scarce and crime rates run high. For many young people, these gyms provide more than physical training—they offer purpose, mentorship, and a sense of belonging. Coaches, often volunteering their time, step in as role models and sometimes even family figures for kids who lack support at home. These gyms encourage youth to stay in school, respect their community, and even contribute through small chores or cleaning tasks in exchange for classes and memberships.
In an IFL interview Steve Bunce reveals:
"These kids don’t just come here to box—they come here to find family, to learn discipline, to see what respect looks like in action. Boxing is just the vehicle; it’s the life lessons that change them.”
Some trainers even attend parent-teacher meetings on behalf of gym members, acting as advocates for young people who might not have a supportive adult at home. For these kids, boxing gyms are more than a recreational activity—they’re a lifeline.
Impact if Amateur Gyms Shut Down: A Lost Lifeline
But what would happen if these gyms disappeared? The prospect is concerning, especially when considering the impact of initiatives like “Gloves Up, Knives Down,” which encourages youth to turn their backs on knife crime and find purpose in boxing. Knife crime among young people in the UK has surged in recent years, with London alone seeing a 28% increase in the past decade. In neighborhoods where violence is a constant threat, boxing gyms offer an alternative path, redirecting young people’s energies into something positive.
A coach from the Gloves Up, Knives Down program put it plainly in a recent interview:
"If these gyms shut down, we’re giving up on these kids. They’re going to turn to the streets because we took away their safe place."
It’s not just about boxing—it’s about redirecting aggression and frustration into something that builds confidence and community pride. Without these gyms, youth in high-risk areas would lose spaces that actively work to keep them off the streets and out of trouble. Closing these gyms could mean an increase in anti-social behavior, gang involvement, and a loss of positive role models for young people who need them most.
More Than Just Boxing: Educational and Community Support
Many amateur gyms go above and beyond physical training by incentivizing education and positive behavior. Some gyms encourage kids to stay in school, avoid trouble, and treat their communities with respect in exchange for classes or memberships. These aren’t just token efforts—they’re real, structured incentives. Trainers know that for some of these kids, the gym is the only place where they feel seen and valued, and they use that connection to inspire a sense of responsibility.
Coach Jimmy Tibbs once shared:
"We’ve got lads who come in every day after school, doing their homework at the gym. We make sure they’re putting in the effort in school just as much as in training, or they know they’ll lose out here."
These gyms understand that boxing alone won’t change lives. They build programs that instill values of hard work, respect, and accountability, often taking on responsibilities that extend well beyond what a typical sports facility would provide.
Some of these community gyms even participate in initiatives like “Rock Steady Boxing,” offering classes for adults with Parkinson’s disease. This program, designed to improve motor skills and quality of life for those with the condition, demonstrates that these gyms serve not only youth but the broader community. Rock Steady Boxing’s success in gyms across the UK showcases the multi-dimensional role these facilities play. Far from just a place to box, they’re hubs of support for people of all ages and backgrounds.
Government Support: A Case for Recognition
Chris Webb MP’s call for government support isn’t just about keeping these gyms open; it’s about recognizing them as community projects with tangible benefits. These gyms aren’t traditional businesses—they’re community support systems that offer alternatives to youth crime, promote education, and reduce anti-social behavior. Webb argued that these facilities provide value comparable to youth centers and community programs, and the stats seem to back him up.
Studies show that structured sports programs in underprivileged areas can lead to significant reductions in crime and anti-social behavior. For every pound invested in such programs, there’s a return in the form of reduced policing costs, lower crime rates, and improved community cohesion. But despite this, amateur gyms operate with minimal support, often relying on donations, small membership fees, and the personal commitment of their trainers and staff.
Speaking to IFL TV, Webb said “I have witnessed firsthand in my hometown of Blackpool how boxing effectively engages children and young people from deprived or marginalized backgrounds. Local boxing gyms break down barriers to entry, reaching and connecting with young people where public services have often fallen short.
I am leading the charge in Parliament to shine a light on the transformative impact of amateur boxing clubs and the urgent need for national support to ensure they continue to thrive in our communities.”
For Webb, the argument is clear: amateur gyms should receive the same kind of public funding that other community projects do. If these spaces are providing benefits that extend beyond the boxing ring, they deserve the same level of support and recognition.
The Other Side: Is Boxing the Right Path?
But there’s another side to this argument that can’t be ignored. Critics argue that while boxing may offer discipline, it’s a sport rooted in physical aggression. By encouraging young people—particularly those from vulnerable backgrounds—to participate in a violent sport, are we inadvertently fostering a mindset that values aggression over peaceful resolution?
Some worry that amateur boxing gyms, despite their positive intentions, are steering young people toward a path where physical strength and combat are glorified. They argue that while boxing gyms keep kids off the streets, they don’t address the root causes of youth delinquency, such as poverty, lack of opportunity, and trauma. Instead of addressing these underlying issues, are these gyms merely distracting kids from bigger problems waiting outside the gym doors?
As one critic questioned in a recent debate:
"Are we helping kids build character, or are we teaching them that the answer to frustration is a pair of boxing gloves?"
Furthermore, health concerns around boxing—particularly head trauma—remain a legitimate worry. While amateur boxing has strict regulations, the potential for injury is ever-present. Should we be encouraging youth to engage in a sport with inherent risks, or should we steer them toward safer outlets?
Community or Business? The Financial Reality of Amateur Gyms
Another complicating factor is the financial reality of amateur gyms. Without public funding, many operate on the thinnest of margins. Although they charge modest fees, these gyms are far from profit-driven enterprises. In most cases, the fees barely cover rent and utilities, and coaches frequently volunteer their time. The line between business and community project becomes blurry, but the impact these gyms have is clear: they’re not just places to work out—they’re hubs of support and mentorship.
If these gyms are struggling to survive, isn’t it the government’s responsibility to support them as it would any other community initiative? Critics say that as long as gyms charge fees, they should be considered businesses. But in reality, these fees are often symbolic, a way to cover costs rather than generate profit. For many in the boxing community, the value these gyms provide far exceeds any financial contribution from members.
A Tough Decision: Lifeline or Liability?
Amateur boxing gyms are more than training facilities—they’re lifelines in areas where hope and opportunity are often in short supply. Through initiatives like “Gloves Up, Knives Down” and educational incentives, these gyms actively work to steer young people away from crime and give them a sense of purpose. They provide a support network for youth who might otherwise lack guidance, serving as makeshift families, safe spaces, and even classrooms for those most in need. And with programs like Rock Steady Boxing, these gyms extend their reach to others in the community, proving that they’re not just for aspiring boxers but for anyone in search of a supportive environment.
But should the government step in to help these spaces survive? If they’re preventing crime and promoting discipline, perhaps they deserve to be seen as essential community assets. On the other hand, is it wise to channel youth into a sport that, at its core, teaches them to fight? These are difficult questions, and the answers aren’t clear-cut.
Maybe it’s time for the government to recognize these gyms for what they are: more than just places to throw a punch. They’re lifelines, safety nets, and pathways to a brighter future. Because if these gyms were to shut down, we’d be left with more than empty buildings—we’d be left with young people who have one less place to turn for help, support, and hope.
Take Action: Call for Support for Your Local Gyms
If you believe amateur gyms play a valuable role in your community, now is the time to act. Speak to your local councillors and MPs and urge them to support public funding for these essential spaces. It’s up to us to ensure these gyms don’t disappear. Your voice can help protect the programs and mentors that mean so much to so many, ensuring that boxing gyms remain open and accessible for future generations.
