As South and City College Birmingham begins its newest academic year, the education provider has recently launched a new initiative aimed at supporting the mental and physical wellbeing of students & staff. Boxing has arrived at their Bournville campus, as part of their new boxing initiative!
On Thursday 7th September 2023, South and City College Birmingham hosted an exciting launch event for their new Boxing Academy, based currently at Bournville campus. Following a successful enrolment, the new facilities are designed for learners to channel their emotions into a disciplined, physical outlet so they can make steps towards better overall physical and mental wellbeing.
During initial consultation about the concept, Mike Hopkins, Principal at South and City College Birmingham, commented that: “I have to admit that a few years ago I was anti-boxing – but after speaking to former World Boxing Middleweight Champion Wayne Elcock, and world-renowned Boxing Coach Paddy Lynch, and hearing what boxing can do – it opened my mind up.”
Many professional boxers, including visiting speaker and European Super Bantamweight title holder 2020-21 Gamal Yafai, are open about how boxing changed their lives for the better, and what good it can do for students from deprived backgrounds.
Mike continues: “It was listening to these conversations about the impact it can have on the lives of our young people, for those aged fourteen and up, and the positive effect it can have on their behaviour that motivated me to introduce this into our college. We are really trying to make the best use of these new facilities as it opens up new opportunities for our learners and staff alike.”
The college’s state-of-the art Bournville campus in the new Longbridge Town shopping centre will provide exciting new platforms for those interested, and is hoped to become a major asset to young people and adults in the local Longbridge, Northfield and surrounding areas.
As part of the launch event, the college welcomed colleagues from their InBusiness Network to arrange a significant networking event, helping show prospective users and their networks what the initiative is like.
The launch was supported on the night by:
- Former World Boxing Middleweight Champion Wayne Elcock
- World-renowned Boxing Coach Paddy Lynch
- European Super Bantamweight title holder 2020-21 Gamal Yafai
- Former Blues Striker Dele Adebola
- Former World Kickboxing Champion Kash ‘The Flash’ Gill
- Senior Ambassador for South and City College Birmingham, Sports and Radio presenter Tom Ross
The InBusiness Network at South and City College Birmingham hosted an open panel discussing the initiative, what it hopes to achieve, and showcased the new facilities – including a full size boxing ring that had been newly installed within the campus, fitted with punching bags, gloves, protective equipment and more, all of which was provided in support of Wayne Elcock’s Box Clever and his network.
When asked on the night how he would summarise the initiative, Mike Hopkins, Principal at South and City College Birmingham commented that: “With anti-social behaviour being a major issue in the world today, this exciting initiative will focus on the disciplines of Boxing and will provide the opportunity to achieve dreams in real life.”
“To have the support of Tom, Wayne and Paddy, will help take this unique project to another level and greatly benefit our learners to help them achieve their career goals.”
South and City College Birmingham’s newest initiative is now live and available, with plans to expand and introduce a second base at the Bordesley Green campus in the near future.
For more information on college facilities and how to get involved in Boxing, prospective students, parents, and members of the public can visit:
Prospective students and the community can find out more information about the initiative on the college website, alongside information about courses, how to apply, and why you should consider making South and City College Birmingham your right choice.