Wandsworth Boxing Club

Founded and led by Karen Horsford and son, Nathan

Nathan Horsford Nominated for Sport Hero

Putney Rotary also runs a number of Youth Competitions annually, so please download the Information packs for students aged 7-17.

The Challenge

Youth today spend more and more of their time living sedentary lives staring at a screen, despite studies suggesting that young people should spend at least half an hour each day being active.

Boxing is an excellent way for kids to stay active and give them something productive to do after school. Benefits include: Goal-setting, focus, self-defence, self-respect, confidence,

Wandsworth Boxing Club (formerly Putney and Roehampton Boxing Club) started off by delivering non-contact boxing classes in schools in Wandsworth borough but mainly in the Roehampton area.

They then set up in Granard primary school as an amateur boxing club. As the club grew, they moved from Elliot school into a community centre in Roehampton and stayed there for 6 years.

Karen Horsford is the founder of Wandsworth Boxing Club, coach and competition match-maker.

On the 13th November 2019, Karen received a Civic Award from the Mayor of Wandsworth, Cllr Jane Cooper, for her contributions to the local community.

Karen actively encourages women to join the boxing club and both her and her son Nathan are doing a fantastic job helping kids in our local community.

The Solution

Putney Rotary Club provided funding for the Wandsworth Boxing Club to buy trophies for their competitions, gloves, headgear and skipping ropes for training.

Putney Rotarian and previously Mayor of Wandsworth, Leslie, was instrumental in helping the boxing club move to new premises where the boxers train in Southfields with the Royal Marines.

Nathan Horsford, boxer, coach and judge, is an inspiration to the amateur boxers who come to the club. Through Putney Rotary Club, Nathan was nominated for the Rotary Young Citizen Sporting Hero Award 2020, which recognises excellent athletes and heroes in the community up to age 25.

Putney Rotary works with Wandsworth Boxing Club on an ongoing basis, supporting them in their brilliant work.