We have awarded a grant of £23,112 to Harrow Club W10, a youth service which works with 5,000 young people each week, to deliver a project offering classes in debating and boxing.

‘Debate Boxing 2021’ will begin in January, aiming to build the skills of 50 young people aged 11-13 from non-selective state schools in Kensington and Chelsea. The 13-week programme will be delivered as a collaboration between Harrow Club W10, Debate Mate and the London Sports Trust, and will culminate in a showcase of boxing and debating skills to a live audience, taking place in a boxing ring.

The programme will use an innovative approach, with debating training developing the young people’s critical thinking, research skills and teamwork and boxing supporting their discipline, focus and fitness. These skills will be valuable to the participants not only during the transitional phase of their life getting settled in secondary school, but for the rest of their school careers and beyond.