Setting up a Welsh boxing club sounds like an exciting venture, however, before jumping into such a project it is wise to get support and guidance on the inner workings of running a boxing club and what that means for your plans. After all, you should always begin by thinking about what you want the club to achieve long-term. This notion is a good start to the endeavour, however, there are a number of components to setting up a boxing gym that you need to be aware of, point to consider include, funding, gym culture, trainers and sourcing boxing equipment in the UK.

 

Financial Planning

Finances is the first major component as setting up a boxing gym can cost more than one might expect. Start by getting a paper and pen and writing down the costs of all of the things you require to set up a gym, do your research here, and try to be as accurate as possible.

A few items to consider include, property costs, equipment, employees’ wages, and furnishings. Next, once you have gotten a clearer picture of the total cost of opening the club you can start organising finances and contacting third-party lenders if necessary. Be sure to check if you are eligible for funding as there are some funds available for clubs and grants for individuals opening new clubs.

The size of the funding depends on your eligibility which is influenced by the size of your club but this is definitely worth checking as it can reduce the out-of-pocket costs. Also, make sure you research the best funding for you, there are a variety of funds available whether it’s an official loan or a government subsidy, getting this right at the start will assist in the long term.

Culture

This is your boxing club therefore you have full control over the gym culture and environment you want to foster in the club. Brainstorming the type of gym you want to create in the form of a mind map is a good start as it will help you visualise your club.

You could go for an “old school” feel with vintage-looking furnishing and equipment and attract individuals who are fans of boxing in the classical era. An alternative may be a more Instagram-friendly lit gym with new equipment and modern furnishings to attract younger, more progressive individuals.

There are a number of styles to choose from and considering doing something different to most boxing clubs could allow you to get some traction early. Remember this is your gym and creating the culture that you desire will attract others like you and create a community of like-minded boxing fanatics.

Trainers 

Getting others involved to scale your club will become a necessary task of setting up your English boxing club. Whoever you decide to be a part of your club will influence its environment, therefore, employing trainers who contribute to the environment you want your gym to foster is critical.

This means hiring individuals based not only on qualifications and past experience but ultimately who they are? What made them fall in love with boxing? What is it about the sport they love so much? If their values and passions about boxing match yours then their addition to the club will contribute to the environment you’re aiming to foster.

Trainers who are skilled at building relationships with their trainees are another point to consider as it will strongly influence the retention of clients who are interested in joining. Clients that get along with trainers and trainers who get along with you will create a strong following and a club that will make you want to get out of bed in the morning.

Growth

When you have planned club finances, applied for funding, established the culture you want to create, and arranged others to be a part of your club, next is attracting people to join. A good place to start is word of mouth; friends of yours will want to support your new venture, and because boxing involves necessary combattant mechanics, it’s encouraging for anyone to try.

Advertising is another avenue worth exploring, whether it’s social media, printer flyers, radio shoutouts, and promotion through sport-related events there are definitely a number of ways for you to grow your club.

Setting up an English boxing club is a venture that involves vast amounts of preparation, therefore, understanding the full extent of what goes into its creation is valuable knowledge. Planning your finances and applying for funding, establishing a culture that is reminiscent of your passion for the sport, involving the right people, and growing your club will see you succeed in this challenging but transformative endeavour.