Testimonials
Real stories · Real results
Hear from parents, young people and adults who train with Bolsover Boxing Club. These are real experiences of members who’ve used boxing to build confidence, manage anxiety, improve fitness and step into the ring.
Featured story
From anxiety to confidence in the ring – and in life
Upon commencing senior school my daughter struggled to find the right group of friends and felt as though she didn’t fit in. She started to experience anxiety and at times struggled to go to school. She became frustrated as the anxiety began to control her decisions, stopping her from doing the things she wanted to do.
We booked a private lesson for her at Bolsover Boxing Club. Upon arrival, despite wanting to do the lesson she felt unable to get out of the car. The coaches were amazing, so understanding and supportive. One of the coaches even sat in the car with her and talked through her concerns about attending the boxing gym.
Read the full story
This caring approach helped her to feel at ease and she was able to attend her first lesson. Having had weekly lessons for a while, her confidence began to grow and her anxiety lessened. She then decided to start attending the amateur sessions twice a week, together with her usual weekly lesson.
She found walking in to the gym for the initial few amateur sessions very difficult and at times just sat outside feeling overwhelmed. The same compassionate approach as before was adopted by the club’s coaches. Slowly over the coming months this consistency helped her to work through her emotions and she began to feel able to attend and join in the amateur sessions.
Three years later, the hard work and perseverance from all involved has paid off. My daughter now trains with the club 5–6 times per week. She has competed and won both white collar and amateur bouts. She now regularly volunteers to help out at the club and has become a valued member of the club’s friendly and accepting community.
With the support of the club, she has achieved so much. Not only has her fitness improved and she has learnt how to box but she has also developed the life skills of resilience, determination and self control and she has made some great friendships.
The club has provided her with a safe environment to help her believe in herself. Her confidence and self esteem have increased and once more she is the fun loving, adventure seeking girl we lost for a while to anxiety. She now feels able to enjoy life and attempt anything no matter how daunting.
I am so grateful to Bolsover Boxing Club and its coaches for the role they have played in her recovery and progress.
More from our members
Confidence, discipline & community – in their own words
Every member has a different reason for stepping through the door. Some want to manage anxiety, some want to get fitter, some dream of competing. Here’s what a few of them – and their parents – say about training at Bolsover Boxing Club.
Isaac's Story
Before starting at Bolsover Boxing Club, Isaac was a shy young lad who really struggled with concentration at school. Diagnosed with ADHD and autism, he found lessons challenging and would only speak to his teaching assistant. It took him six months to speak to his Year 2 teacher, and at that time he was behind in all of his subjects.
Read Isaac's full story
Since joining Bolsover Boxing Club, the change in Isaac has been incredible. He now speaks confidently to everyone and always asks how people are. Last year, he won the ALWAYS Award at school, which was such a proud moment for us. Academically, he is now on target in all of his lessons and is even top of his class for times tables at times.
Boxing has not only improved Isaac’s fitness and athleticism, but it has also given him the confidence to take part in other sports. He now enjoys football and swimming alongside boxing. He even hiked the Watkins Path up Snowdon — and he’s always ready for the next challenge!
Isaac looks forward to his 1-2-1 sessions with Gav, who has been a massive inspiration to him. Bolsover Boxing Club has played such a huge role in his development, and we truly can’t thank them enough for the positive impact they’ve had on his life.
Danielle's Story
Danielle was born with a Chromosome micro-deletion at 7Q36.1 and Learning disability. Life unfortunately has not been a bed of roses for her. Especially when Danielle started high school. Things had changed for Danielle. Danielle had stopped being invited to birthday parties, sleepovers and was left out. Although Danielle was the same person, things changed and people did not want to hang out with her. But you know how cruel kids could be.
Read Danielle's full story
Danielle soon found a love for wrestling and loved to watch WWE on TV and going to watch them at Sheffield arena. A few years after leaving college, Danielle started going to the Arc at Clowne and had support from staff there. They soon realised the passion Danielle had for boxing. This was due to every time she attended the gym she always asked to go to the punch bag.
After some time, a staff member started looking around for someone who would take Danielle under their wing and support her in doing something she loved. So, then it begins. Danielle started going for boxing lessons at Bolsover Boxing Club with ex professional boxer Gavin Downs on 1-2-1 sessions with a member of staff from the Arc. Each time Danielle went they told me they could see a change in her. Don't get me wrong, Danielle absolutely loves boxing, but sometimes it could be very hard for her to concentrate and oh yes Danielle could get distracted very easily or even refusing to do some of the warm up, pushing the tank and general saying to Gavin, I can't do that!
But Gavin never gave up or turned his back on Danielle; instead he encouraged her, was very patient and praised her all the time. Danielle likes lots of different types of music from 80s, The Vamps etc and even soundtrack music from films. So, one week Danielle was telling Gavin that she had been watching all Rocky films and that she liked the music and singing away to it. The joy on her face was priceless. So, what happened next, you got it – Gavin put all the songs together and yes, it's called Danielle's music on his computer.
It's such a fantastic setup and everyone is welcoming, especially all the other members who have got to know Danielle over the years. It's so nice when they come over and say we watch Danielle and can't believe how she remembers the different moves even the ones that she has just been showed. It's so welcoming to hear and nice to know they have noticed the potential and the love she has for boxing. Danielle has come a long way over the 4 years and I'm sure if you asked the other members who have seen Danielle they would tell you the same. Danielle wears her boxing t-shirt and hoodie with pride.
Just one last thing to say that if your child has a passion to learn boxing then look no further than Bolsover Boxing Club – you will not be disappointed.
Chester's Story
My son Chester, now age 15, has been part of Bolsover Boxing Club for the past three years, and I can honestly say it has been one of the most positive influences in his life. When he first started, he was looking to build confidence and find something that felt like his own. What he has gained has gone far beyond physical strength and fitness.
Read Chester's full story
Through his training, he has developed emotional strength, resilience, and a deep sense of self-belief that carries into every part of his life. His instructors, Gav and Dennis, have been incredible role models. He has had 1-1 lessons, mostly with Gav but also with Dennis, and both have shown him patience, consistency, and genuine care.
They have created a space where he feels safe to be himself; no pressure to be anyone else, no judgment, just encouragement and steady guidance. What I value most is the autonomy they give him. They do not just tell him what to do; they empower him to take ownership of his progress. That trust has helped him grow not only as a boxer but also as a young person. He has learned discipline, respect, and how to keep going even when something feels hard.
Bolsover Boxing Club is truly more than just a place to train. It is a community, a safe space, and a foundation that helps young people grow into strong, confident individuals. We thank Gav and Dennis for the meaningful impact they have had on Chester over the past three years.
Lucas's Story
Lucas been going to bolsover boxing club for a couple of years now, and his temper has improved massively. He has ADHD and really struggled managing his anger, I was being called into school a number of times during the week because of this and at home often had to have everyone leave the room because of his outbursts, this was also all while on medication.
Read Chester's full story
Because of this I was worried about sending him boxing, but it was the best thing ever for him. His teachers mentioned a number of times withing the first couple of months about his behaviour changing, handling his anger a lot better, no longer lashing out and hurting others and concentration was better because of this, even now his teacher’s have said that he’s got good controll with his anger after a few incidents at school.
His outbursts lessend at home aswel, I don’t have to empty the room if he’s in a bad mood because someone has done or said something he didn’t like because he has an outlet in a safe environment with someone he looks up to, trusts and repects. Lucas is the kind of kid that will talk to anyone but who also needs a bond and trust to fully show who he is and he has that with Gav.
Not only has lucas been taught anger management without him realising that he has, he’s also been taught respect and control over himself. Boxing has really been a great sport for lucas and it is something he now loves to do, he gets excited when it’s time to go and it’s not often he is excited about anything. Lucas has never been a great sleeper or someone who can sit still for long but after boxing he is calmer for longer and settled easier at bedtime. Boxing really has helped in a lot of ways for lucas and as I’ve said before the best choice I’ve made for him. Great coaches and great environment. Thank you for everything!
Ready to see what boxing could do for you or your child?
Whether you’re looking to build confidence, manage anxiety, improve fitness or step into the ring for the first time, our coaches will meet you at your level and support you every step of the way.