A Punch Above

There were a couple of standout moments for me at Participate World this week.

It was exactly three months ago that I went for my first run with Tom Williams. He continues to motivate me and educate me on the transformative health and community benefits that come with it. From a non-runner to having just gently ambled my way around 5 miles, it feels like I am truly walking the talk.

We were also back down south this week and were privileged to meet with Lee Hemmings and Ana Vacas at Fight for Peace. I had read about their work in the UK, in Brazil and their partnerships with clubs around the world, but the vibrancy as you entered their East London academy blew me away. It was also great to hear how they offer a range of social support and advice alongside boxing and martial arts. I look forward to exploring their Life Champions course for sports coaches who want to learn how to use sport as a tool for youth development and how we can cooperate more broadly in the UK and overseas.

Special thanks as well to Damian Smith and Stephen Jones at Podium Analytics for an inspiring conversation on a data-driven approach to maximising participation in community sport. And to Marco Gazzelloni at QP plus colleagues at the British Embassy in Bahrain for taking time to share their regional insights.