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From Bristol to Edmonton: our approach to youth violence prevention goes global
A model developed through our work with young people in Bristol is now being used internationally, as we support a major new youth crime prevention programme in Edmonton, Canada.
We’re incredibly proud to announce that Empire Fighting Chance: The Guardians of Tomorrow is being supported by the Government of Canada as part of a major new investment in youth crime prevention in Edmonton.
The Canadian Government has committed $2.2 million to REACH Edmonton Council for Safe Communities through its Crime Prevention Action Fund to support the initiative, bringing together community organisations across Edmonton to help young people build safer, healthier and more positive futures.
Born on the streets of Bristol, we began using boxing to engage young people affected by violence, adversity and disadvantage. Over more than a decade, we’ve developed an approach that combines boxing, psychology and mentoring to help young people build their confidence and resilience.
Now, that approach is being taken to Edmonton.
Building our partnership in Edmonton
Our work in Canada began in 2025, when a team from Empire travelled to Edmonton to train local organisations in our Box Champions programme.
During the visit, we trained 24 people from eight local organisations and spent time with community groups, civic leaders, police and other partners to understand the challenges facing young people in the city.
The aim was never simply to arrive in Edmonton and deliver a ready-made programme.
Instead, we wanted to build relationships, share what we have learned through our work in Bristol and understand how our approach could support organisations already working with young people in their communities.
The response from our Canadian partners was hugely encouraging.
That initial training has now developed into a much wider partnership through Empire Fighting Chance: The Guardians of Tomorrow, delivered by REACH Edmonton in partnership with community organisations across the city.
As part of the partnership, we will provide training, technical expertise and programme delivery support, helping local organisations embed the Box Champions model into their work with young people.
Using boxing to create opportunities for change
At the heart of our approach is the belief that boxing can be much more than a physical activity.
Our non-contact boxing sessions create a different kind of environment for young people. Through the challenge of boxing, trusted relationships and psychology-informed mentoring, we help young people explore how they respond to pressure, manage difficult emotions and make healthier choices.
The psychology that underpins our model is central to this. Sam Kotadia, our Head of Psychology commented:
“The psychology that we embed into the programme is what transforms boxing from simply a physical activity into a powerful vehicle for change. The non-contact boxing drills enable young people to cultivate and touch-in with their inner resilience. They learn about feeling fear safely, adopting a growth-mindset towards learning, and the benefits of directing their focus onto healthy actions in the moment.”
Supporting young people across Edmonton
The Guardians of Tomorrow programme will support young people and young adults aged 9–30, bringing together a range of physical, psychological and practical support.
For young people aged 9–17, the programme will include non-contact boxing, as well as structured mentoring and coaching based on our model.
For young adults aged 18–30, the Guardians of Tomorrow model will combine martial arts with therapeutic support, including Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
The wider programme will also provide:
- Trauma-informed mentoring and cultural programming
- Access to mental health and psychological services
- Life skills and addiction education
- Employment readiness and skills support
- Opportunities to build confidence and strengthen positive relationships
The programme is designed to help reduce violence, gang involvement and other high-risk behaviours while helping young people build stronger connections to their communities and create positive pathways for their futures.
The project is supported through the Government of Canada's Crime Prevention Action Fund and National Crime Prevention Strategy, with the partnership expected to run through to March 2030, subject to continued funding and agreed milestones.
“This is a hugely proud moment for Empire Fighting Chance and for Bristol. What started as a response to youth violence on the streets of our own city is now being embraced by organisations on the other side of the Atlantic and backed by the Government of Canada.”
Martin Bisp, Co-Founder and Executive Director for Global Partnerships
A new chapter for Empire Fighting Chance
Our ambition has always been to make sure that the lessons we’ve learned in Bristol can benefit young people beyond our own city, as well as bringing any learnings back to the community where it all began.
The partnership in Edmonton represents a major step towards our global ambitions. It shows what can happen when local organisations come together, share expertise and put young people at the centre of their work.
For us, it’s a reminder of just how far an idea can travel.
