Empire and Matchroom Lead Change at Parliament

Bringing Community Boxing to Parliament

This week marked an important milestone for Empire Fighting Chance as we joined Matchroom and five long-standing partner boxing clubs for a series of discussions in Parliament. Hosted alongside Chris Webb, Vice Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Boxing, the session brought together leaders from across the sport to highlight the vital role that community boxing clubs play across the UK.

Celebrating the Power of Community Boxing

The group came together to celebrate the collective achievements of the network of clubs and to spotlight the growing recognition of boxing as a powerful tool for social change. Empire and our partner clubs presented the progress of our Boxing for Good programmes, sharing real stories of impact and the difference these initiatives are making in communities.

With 61 partner boxing clubs and counting, the group was not only representing the work happening in their own communities, but the incredible work being delivered across the UK.

Presenting the National Impact Data

A key moment of the day was the presentation of our first national impact dataset. This evidence base, supported by social return on investment analysis, demonstrated not only the reach of our programmes but also the measurable value they deliver for young people, families and wider society.

For many in the room, it reinforced what those working in community boxing already know: the sport is uniquely placed to engage, support and empower people who are often missed by traditional services.

Building Momentum for the Future

Looking ahead, the group reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for boxing as a proven mechanism for positive change. With growing momentum and a stronger evidence base than ever, we are excited to continue shaping national conversations about the role of sport in community development.

Looking Ahead: A Summer Event

As part of this ongoing work, we are planning to host a summer event that will bring together partners, policymakers and supporters to further showcase the impact of community boxing programmes. This will be an opportunity to share new insights, celebrate success stories and strengthen the case for continued investment in the sector.

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