Pat Benson Boxing Club is the “perfect environment” to engage ethnically diverse young people on the fringes of criminality due to its mixture of mystique, discipline, diversity, nurture and support.
That’s the view of Paddy Benson (grandson of the eponymous Pat) who manages the club in the diverse but underprivileged Digbeth area of Birmingham. The club is a Levelling the Playing Field specialist partner and its work aligns perfectly with our common goals.
“Boxing is a vital stop-gap between people being on the verge of crime and going down that path quite significantly – it really does act as a deterrent,” says Paddy. “The way it does that is to give young people a sense of identity, belonging and purpose.”
Those benefits are particularly powerful for young people who may have grown up without strong parental guidance, role models, educational attainment or sense of self-worth. Gangs may otherwise be a temptation for these individuals because of the sense of belonging and identity they can offer, but boxing clearly provides a far safer and more positive alternative.
“Boxing provides those things in quite a glamorous way,” says Paddy. “Our young people are proud to walk down the street with their Pat Benson Boxing Club tracksuit on. It gives them pride to showcase that they’re part of something positive.
“You always want what you’ve never had, so I think, perhaps subconsciously, they are drawn towards an environment where they get nurturing, structure, discipline, purpose and identity. They’re not stupid; they understand what they’re lacking in life and they find all those things in a boxing gym. The sport and the environment are like cement binding young people together.”
Two other factors add to the boxing club’s appeal for young people – diversity and discipline.
“Football is area-based and segregates people in terms of their postcodes so it becomes a bit ‘us v them,’” Paddy explains. “Boxing is different. The ethnic mix is completely unique. I’ve never seen another sport like it for the integration of backgrounds, cultures and ethnicities. People are comfortable in this environment because they know any bigotry or racist behaviour will not be tolerated.”
That zero-tolerance culture is just a small part of the ethos of discipline that pervades the boxing club. It's also an environment where everyone supports each other’s progress, creating a team atmosphere despite it being an individual sport.
“It’s bloody hard to make it in boxing,” says Paddy. “It takes nine to 12 months to be ready for a fight. Egos have to be left at the door and it’s only about how hard you work. There are high levels of respect for those who make it.
“There’s a level of mystique and a natural respect and mutual understanding within a boxing environment. It filters out individuals who aren’t going to show that level of respect for themselves.
“You have to have discipline straight away. It’s a word associated with boxing all the time. They quickly learn the level of behaviour and the standards we set in the organisation that are required to improve. Those standards start at the door in terms of respect to staff and one another. They ensure any negative external issues do not enter the building.”
The club uses boxing as the hook to engage young people not just in the sport, but to progress them on to mental health support services, apprenticeships, education and employment. Without having been attracted by boxing in the first place, these are opportunities they might never have accessed.
“That network of connections to refer young people on to is what sets us apart from most boxing clubs in the country,” states Paddy. “We can’t solve every problem that comes through the door, so being able to refer young people on to trusted partners is vital.
“Young people may not appreciate it at the time, but 10 years later they understand the work that was done because of where it’s taken them in life. It’s not just about hitting pads, it’s about getting them on the right path.”