How Boxing Brought Us Together

“We walked in as strangers, now we walk together as friends.” This is the powerful story of local Havant women brought together by physical activity. Sally shares how one Boxing course changed her life.

As a child, I was in the Brownies and Guides, and I enjoyed riding my bike. But I never really connected with traditional sports – I just didn’t feel like they were for me.

Later in life, with two grown-up children and now two beautiful grandchildren, I had a bit more time in the evenings and wanted to do something for myself. I’d started walking but wanted something more. I wasn’t in a great place at the time – things were difficult at home and work – and I just needed a release.

That’s when I saw an advert for a local women’s boxing course. My first thought? “I can’t do that.” I’d never been in a gym before, let alone a boxing gym. Everyone else would know exactly what they were doing, and I’d be the odd one out. I was so incredibly wrong.

It was a six-week beginner course, so I knew everyone would be starting from the same place. It was just £10 for the block – I told myself if I didn’t like it, I could afford to lose a tenner. And if I did enjoy it, it would be a bargain. The fact it was all women made it feel a bit less intimidating too.

Walking into that first session was nerve-wracking. But once I got through the door, everything changed. There were women of all shapes, sizes and ages, and we were all there for our own reasons. There was no judgment. From day one, we supported each other.

I remember one session we were asked to do 10 sit-ups. I was struggling. A woman next to me, Shelly – who I’d maybe only said hello to once or twice before – slowed down just so we could do them together. She refused to carry on without me. That’s what it’s like – everyone wants to see each other do well.

The coach, Zoe, played a huge part in creating that sort of environment. She made you feel like you had a friend from the very start. You never felt silly or like you didn’t belong in her presence. Zoe encourages you to do the best you can but never sets an expectation that you feel you can’t reach. I think I can speak for everyone when I say that she was a huge reason we came back. The world needs more Zoes.

I remember after that first session feeling absolutely shattered – but also lighter, like I’d let something go. I’d found something that gave me confidence again.

Over time, I got fitter and healthier. I’ve lost weight and feel physically stronger. And you can see throughout the room that everyone has grown in confidence.

At first, we didn’t know what had brought the others into the room. But we were all there, gloves on, letting off steam and doing something for ourselves. Hitting the bag helped – not just physically but mentally too. Slowly but surely, these beautiful and treasured friendships started to grow.

We’ve gone line dancing in fancy dress, we go walking together, we’re even talking about doing the Three Peaks Challenge. We’ve celebrated birthdays, done karaoke, and took a cold dip in the sea on New Year’s Day for charity. Boxing might have brought us together, but now it’s just one part of what we do.

If someone hasn’t been to a session for a while, we check in on them. One of the women recently had an operation, and we’ve said if she needs anything, we’re there. It’s turned into a real community. We walked in as a group of strangers and now we walk together as a group of friends.

I went to a few of the Sunday sessions. There, they have half an hour of sparring which I watched. The whole idea of hitting somebody or being hit is completely alien to me. I never even had a playground scrap!

But eventually I bought a gum shield which Zoe helped me mould and a few weeks ago, I stepped into the ring. I’ve now done two two-minute rounds – something I never thought I’d say.

What started as a six-week course just to try something new has turned into 18 months of weekly sessions, new friendships, and experiences I never imagined myself having.

My grandson obviously heard me talking about boxing and saw my boxing gloves were lying about, now he wants to come along to the parent and child sessions that are run from the same venue.

If you’re thinking about trying something new but you’re unsure, just give it a go. It’s not always easy walking into a room on your own so bring someone with you if you need to, even if they just sit and watch. You don’t know where it might lead. I never thought I would go into the sea in the middle of winter, never dreamed of doing that. With some friends – who I didn’t even know 18 months ago – I was able to try. That can happen to you too.