Most parents who bring their children to Honour and Glory have one question first: is this safe? It is a fair question, and the answer is yes, but it depends on the gym.
We are a community boxing club, based in Kidbrooke, SE3. Our coaching team is ABA/Alliance-credentialed, with BBBofC professional experience led by Anton Pattenden. We are affiliated with the Amateur Boxing Alliance. Children do not contact-spar until they are technically ready, and in recreational classes they never have to. The emphasis throughout is on skill, discipline, and building physical confidence.
This page covers what your child will learn, how we keep them safe, what the classes cost, and what to expect at the first session.
Choose the right first step
WHAT KIND OF START DOES YOUR CHILD NEED?
Most children should start with Junior Recreational. The route only changes when the child needs a quieter start, already wants the competition pathway, or the parent has a specific concern.
Shy or nervous child
Start with Junior Recreational. Coaches can keep the first session simple and let confidence build gradually.
Bullied or low confidence
Read how boxing changes body language, composure and belonging before booking the trial.
Angry or restless child
Use boxing as structure, not punishment. The aim is control, listening and a safe physical outlet.
Anxious child
A predictable session can help, but the first visit should be supported and low pressure.
Hates team sports
Boxing is individual progress inside a group setting. No bench, no positions, no being picked last.
Wants competition
Junior Competitive is only for children who want that path and are ready for it. Coaches decide progression.
Needs a quieter start
Start with Junior Recreational and tell us before the visit. Coaches can keep the first session simple rather than pushing a separate private route.
Too much screen time
A structured, phone-free physical habit is often easier to keep than another generic activity.
Just wants to try boxing
Use the kids boxing hub for ages, timetable, costs and the normal free trial route.
WHY PARENTS CHOOSE US
QUALIFIED COACHES
The coaching team is ABA/Alliance-credentialed, with BBBofC professional experience led by Anton Pattenden. These are coaches who understand the sport from the ground up and know how to teach it properly to young people.
COMMUNITY CLUB
We operate as a community boxing club because we believe boxing should be accessible. No joining fee, no contract, no pressure. You pay per session. Group classes are £5-10 depending on the programme.
COMMUNITY VALUES
Honour and Glory is a community club. The atmosphere is welcoming, the coaches know the children by name, and there is no tolerance for bullying or ego. Children learn to respect coaches, training partners, and themselves.
SAFEGUARDING FIRST
All coaches and volunteers who work with children are DBS checked. We follow ABA safeguarding guidelines and maintain a club child protection policy. Parents are welcome to watch sessions from the viewing area.
WHAT YOUR CHILD WILL LEARN
DISCIPLINE AND FOCUS
Boxing requires your full attention. You cannot drift off in a session. Children learn to listen to instructions, follow corrections, and concentrate on what the coach is showing them. Parents notice the difference within a few months.
PHYSICAL FITNESS
Sessions include skipping, footwork drills, pad work, bag work, and conditioning exercises. Children get a real workout without it feeling like PE. The sport demands cardiovascular fitness, strength, and coordination in equal measure.
CONFIDENCE
Learning a physical skill that most people never attempt builds a particular kind of confidence. Children who struggle with self-esteem often respond well to boxing because progress is visible and earned. There is no shortcut to throwing a good combination.
COORDINATION AND MOVEMENT
Footwork, guard position, and punch mechanics all require coordinating different parts of the body simultaneously. This improves general athletic ability and body awareness. Many young boxers find their performance in other sports improves as a result.
AGE GROUPS
JUNIOR RECREATIONAL - AGES 7 TO 16
This is the normal first step for children and teenagers. Younger children are eased in carefully, older juniors build more technical habits, and nobody has to choose competition at the first visit.
VIEW JUNIOR RECREATIONAL →JUNIOR COMPETITIVE - AGES 10 TO 16
Junior Competitive is the optional pathway for young boxers who want to compete and are ready for the more serious route. Coaches decide progression with the parent and young boxer over time.
JUNIOR COMPETITIVE →SENIORS - AGES 17 AND OVER
Once a boxer turns 17, they move into the senior programme. Senior amateurs compete at adult level under ABA rules. Recreational adults train for fitness with no competition requirement. Personal training is also available for those who want individual coaching.
VIEW ADULT CLASSES →SAFEGUARDING
The safety of children at Honour and Glory is not a box-ticking exercise. It is a practical commitment built into how we run sessions.
- → All coaches and volunteers working with under-18s are DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checked
- → We follow the Amateur Boxing Alliance safeguarding policy and have a club-level child protection policy in place
- → Sessions for under-18s are separate from adult sessions to ensure appropriate supervision
- → Parents and guardians are welcome to observe sessions from the viewing area at any time
- → Children do not spar until they are technically ready and have the explicit agreement of their coach and parent
If you have any safeguarding concerns or questions, contact us directly at info@honourandglory.co.uk.
PRICING
£10
Juniors (7-16)
per session
£5-6.50
Juniors (7-16)
per session
No contract
No joining fee
pay as you go
We are a community boxing club and keep pricing as accessible as possible. There is no joining fee, no contract, and no minimum commitment. You pay per session. Concessions may be available - speak to a coach.
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COMMON QUESTIONS
Is boxing safe for children?
Yes, when coached properly. At Honour and Glory, children do not spar until they are ready and have developed proper technique. Recreational and junior recreational classes involve pad work, bag work and fitness, not contact with other children. Our coaching team is ABA/Alliance-credentialed and follows child protection guidelines, with BBBofC professional experience led by Anton Pattenden.
What age can my child start boxing?
We accept children from age 7 in Junior Recreational. Ages 7-16 train in age-appropriate groups, with coaching adapted to the child. Junior Competitive is available from age 10 for the competition pathway.
Do you have DBS-checked coaches?
Yes. All coaches and staff who work with children and young people at Honour and Glory are DBS checked. We follow ABA safeguarding guidelines and have a club child protection policy.
What will my child learn?
In the early stages, children learn footwork, balance, coordination, and the basic punches. The emphasis is on building discipline, listening skills, and physical confidence. Boxing teaches children to stay calm under pressure, follow instructions, and respect their coaches and training partners.
How much does it cost?
Group classes are £5-10 per session depending on the class. There is no joining fee and no contract. We are a community boxing club, so we keep pricing as accessible as possible. You pay per session.
Can my child compete?
That is entirely optional. Many children train purely for fitness and fun and never compete. Those who want to compete can progress into the Junior Competitive programme, which is ABA affiliated and prepares young boxers for sanctioned bouts.
What if my child is nervous about the first session?
Start with Junior Recreational and tell us before the session. Coaches can keep the first visit simple, let the child stay near the parent at first, and build confidence without putting them on the spot.
What if my child wants more support than a group class?
Most children should start with the free Junior Recreational trial. If a group start might feel too much, ask about a quieter 1-to-1 or small-step route first.
Free resource
NUTRITION PROGRAMME FOR YOUNG BOXERS
We offer a free 10-week nutrition education programme designed specifically for young athletes. It covers fuelling for training, eating on a budget, hydration, competition day nutrition, and anti-doping awareness. It is safeguarding-aware and based on current research.
View the ProgrammeBRING YOUR CHILD IN
Book a free trial session. Your child trains for one session at no cost. No commitment required.