A dynamic, women's-only veterans’ boxing training programme is redefining fitness and community. Held weekly, the initiative has been launched by The Fighting Chance, which is dedicated to encouraging physical and mental health and well-being through boxing.
Hosted at the Rival Boxing Gym in King's Cross, the sessions offer an empowering environment tailored specifically for women of all fitness levels. By removing the intimidation factor often associated with traditional gyms, it provides a safe, welcoming space for women to build physical strength and mental resilience.
Coordinator, Laura White said: “The core of the weekly sessions is non-contact boxing. The women who come along will learn boxing techniques, including footwork, shadow boxing, pad work, and heavy bag drills, without physical contact. It’s a high-intensity cardio workout that burns calories, improves coordination, and builds core strength while serving as an outlet for stress. Every session is designed to leave participants feeling strong, confident, and physically empowered.”
Holistic well-being and social activities are also planned for when the programme gather pace, so that women veterans will not only improve their physical fitness but also build a network of supportive friendships.
The sessions are held eThursday at Rival Boxing Gym, 251 Caledonian Road, King’s Cross, 10.30am – 12. For more information email: [email protected]
The Fighting Chance
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Supporting people improve health, wellbeing & finding work through boxing training. Engage, motivate, change, achieve. Patron: John Conteh MBE
15/05/2026
Contact Laura White to reserve your place on 07482 708133 or email [email protected]
10/04/2026
We are excited to announce that The Fighting Chance will launch our brand new project Strong Voices, Strong Women on Thursday 14th May.
This project will run for 1 year, is funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust and is open to all ex-Servicewomen across London.
You don’t need to have any experience of boxing as our programmes are suitable for beginners and designed to be fun and enjoyable
We will combine Women only non-contact boxing sessions in a private space with additional wraparound support, wellbeing sessions and social group activities.
We want this to be an opportunity to connect, reflect and rebuild confidence.
If you’d like to apply or you’re an organisation that support women veterans and forces families (particularly those working in mental health, recovery, housing and employment), please get in touch with our Project Lead - Laura White on 07482 708 133 or email [email protected]
25/03/2026
We’re back! Our new CDARS cohort started today and we launched this with a motivational talk from former Commonwealth Heavyweight Champion Derek ‘Sweet D’ Williams.
See you next week! 🥊
From the boxing ring to the classroom, veterans are getting fighting fit while learning how to train others - and transforming lives in the process.
The Fighting Chance, a London-based non-profit which holds boxing sessions for veterans across London, has launched a training pathway as part of the Thrive Together London programme.
The new scheme supports veterans to gain England Boxing-recognised qualifications, helping them build new skills and boost confidence. It could even enable them to move into employment within gyms and boxing clubs.
So far, 11 veterans have successfully completed the introductory Boxing Activator Course, the first level of the progressive system. Four others are set to start the Level 1 qualification soon, while one participant with previous experience is preparing for Level 2 — a milestone that could lead to professional coaching roles.
23/01/2026
11 Veterans. 1 course. A whole new set of futures.
This week a group of Veterans from our Thrive Together project )including 3 from Royal Hospital Chelsea The Chelsea Pensioners completed the England Boxing Activator Course, stepping into leadership, coaching, and giving back through sport.
Huge thanks to Roy Summers , England Boxing , The Poppy Factory and the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust for making this possible. 🥊
18/12/2025
That’s a wrap on 2025 for our CDARS sessions 🥊
A brilliant final session before the Christmas & New Year break — plenty of hard work, plenty of laughs, and some seriously good energy in the room.
Huge thanks to everyone who took part, and to our coaches Sunni and Roy for keeping things sharp, supportive, and (mostly) civilised.
We’ll be back in the gym on Tuesday 7 January. Wishing everyone a restful Christmas and a strong start to 2026.
16/12/2025
We wrapped up Thrive Together for 2025 with our final session of the year at Fitzroy Lodge 🥊
Sunni returned (with serious post-Australia energy), we loved welcoming Gulliver from Fighting With Pride for his first boxing session, and we’re grateful to Larissa, our volunteer, for pitching in and helping the session run smoothly.
We’re back on 6 January — bring on 2026!
10/12/2025
🥊 Power before Christmas.
Penultimate CDARS boxing session today and the squad showed up. Roy and Amy pushed everyone through bags, pads and footwork – serious graft, big hits, proper support.
Black-and-white, but nothing grey about the energy.
One more session before we down gloves for Christmas.
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Location
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Address
8 Northumberland Avenue
London
WC2N5BY
Opening Hours
| Monday | 9am - 5pm |
| Tuesday | 9am - 5pm |
| Wednesday | 9am - 5pm |
| Thursday | 9am - 5pm |
| Friday | 9am - 5pm |
| Saturday | 10am - 2pm |