Boxing gave me something to fight for, says coach from Norwich

An award-winning boxing coach said she has been using her experience of living with addiction to help young people make positive choices.

Kerry Norfolk, who teaches at Thrive Boxing Team, at Kickstop in Norwich, helps children and young people to learn the sport and provides extra support outside of the ring.

Earlier this year she was named England Boxing Female Coach of the Year 2025.

Ms Norfolk said: “I use that lived experience to educate others, showing children and young people that change is possible, no matter how far you’ve fallen.”

Thrive Boxing Team, which was founded in 2023, said it helped children and young people build resilience, confidence and a sense of belonging inside and outside of the ring.

Ms Norfolk, who is its founder and lead coach, got into the sport after experiencing addition.

She said boxing became the “turning point” and gave her structure, discipline, “and something bigger to fight for”.

Ms Norfolk, who is also a social worker and manager within child and adolescent mental health services, said the sport allows her to build trusting relationships with her students.

One young boxer with a history of criminal offences became a part of the club and “changed their life around”, Ms Norfolk said.

Another one of her students told the BBC: “She is not just a coach she is like a mum as well and it is nice to have her.”

Ms Norfolk said: “We create a really good culture, we celebrate diversity here, and every single person who walks through the door, who might feel a little bit nervous or uncomfortable, always walks out feeling like a champion.”

After being named England Boxing Female Coach of the Year 2025 at a ceremony in Sheffield in July, she said she was “never really lost for words” but was “chocked up and emotional”.

Her son, who also trains at the gym, added: “It was exciting to see she got good recognition for something she is so passionate about.”

Ms Norfolk said: “One of the little statements I always use is it takes a village to raise a child, and I think we play our role as part of the village.

“Children come from a whole range of different experiences and we give them the opportunity to make them changes.”

Another one of her students said the sport “helped with mental health” and that Ms Norfolk was “a very good role model”.

Ms Norfolk said boxing was her “platform to inspire hope, model positive behaviour, and empower others to find their own strength and purpose”.