How your kids can punch above their weight in Sheffield this Summer
The Summer Camp at Sheffield City Boxing Club has proved successful ever since it was introduced before the Covid lockdown.
Sheffield City Boxing club is throwing open its doors to kids for the summer holidays - and charging as little as £4 for coaching, nutritious food and three hours of fun.
Children predominantly from Sharrow as well as from as far away as Barnsley will be queuing up from August 4 for the twice-weekly sessions.
The Summer Camp has proved successful ever since it was introduced before the Covid lockdown.
And only those who can afford to pay are asked to do so.
Owner Brendan Warburton works with Sheffield Council on its Healthy Holidays programme, which is government funded.
"This means we can deliver a positive activity and provide a healthy meal free of charge for children who are claiming free school meals" he said.
"There is a small charge for other children who turn up on the day.
"Since we’ve been running the camps; they’ve become increasingly popular with up to 60 children turning up to every session."
Brendan said it was a "real team effort from the club to keep that many youngsters, some with special needs, engaged for three hours...but we’re good at it!
"We have around seven qualified coaches who adapt the sessions accordingly, we talk about the benefits of healthy eating and the benefits of keeping fit and doing a sport like boxing.
"We explain how it can improve confidence, build resilience and the importance of being respectful.
"We keep the sessions fun and they are all non-contact with a few medals given out at the end to our champions of the day, but it’s not just boxing for three hours."
Before dinner is served at the Old Sharrow Junior School base - with the food typically provided by The Potato Oven on London Road - the coaches organise activities at the nearby Mount Pleasant Park.
Brendan added: "The funding is vital for some families and it’s great to know that during the school holidays their children can eat healthily and keep fit and active.
"The sessions run every Tuesday and Thursday (10am to 1pm)) throughout August and the Easter holidays.
"Places can be booked online or over the phone.
"We don’t turn anyone away so there are places for people if they just turn up."
*Non-contact boxing provides young children with a fun, structured way to develop fitness, coordination and confidence without the risks associated with sparring or competition.
Through activities such as footwork drills, pad work, skipping and agility exercises, children improve their balance, speed and overall physical health while learning discipline, respect, resilience and the importance of listening to coaches.
Sheffield City also encourages teamwork and friendship in a supportive environment, helping youngsters build self-esteem, set goals and channel their energy positively.