FEATURE
Participation – Evolve Sports Academy founder Michael Snaith believes young people who have been excluded from school should have the same sporting opportunities as every other child.
Guidance- former IBF World Champion Stuart Hall showing a young participant the ropes.
Each year, we ensure that all our young people have the opportunity to participate in events, leagues and tournaments, similar to those in mainstream education.“ Our purpose is first and foremost to provide access and opportunity. However, there are no limitations on what can be achieved, with pupils supported and signposted towards district and county trials.”
In addition to its work with young people in the education sector, in the evenings the company also provides free community sports sessions across Teesside.
The catalyst for this next stage came through working with a young person at Evolve Sports Academy who, despite engaging positively in the provision during the school day, had become involved in serious anti-social behaviour.
Determined to support the young person beyond the classroom, Evolve introduced a one-to-one boxing intervention led by coach Stephen Dowling.
The impact was immediate and powerful. Boxing became a positive outlet outside the school day, helping the young person channel their energy constructively. Through training, they developed discipline, confidence and resilience, alongside vital life skills. The intervention proved so successful that the young person later joined an affiliated boxing club and went on to make lasting, positive changes in their life. Inspired by this outcome, Evolve expanded its approach. Free sporting sessions were introduced across the Teesside area, giving children access to high-quality coaching at no cost. Sports included football, table tennis and boxing, with all sessions fully staffed by experienced Evolve coaches.
As participation grew, Evolve continued to fund these sessions as part of its corporate social responsibility, but it soon became clear that something bigger was needed. From this demand, Evolve in the Community CIC was born. Established as a voluntary organisation, its sole aim is to provide free sporting opportunities for children, no matter their background or circumstances.
Boxing, in particular, became a focal point. A pilot programme was launched at Pallister Park in March 2022, targeting children aged six to 16. The objectives were clear: increase regular physical activity, build confidence and discipline, improve self-esteem and provide young people with a positive focus.
The positive effect on anti-social behaviour was equally significant, with children engaging in structured activities led by highly trained staff who serve as strong role models.
The Pallister Park session has now operated for four years and is available to young people 52 weeks of the year. Highprofile figures from the boxing world have played a crucial role in this success.
Current professional boxers Joe Maphosa and Troy Williamson, alongside former world champion Stuart Hall, have each provided coaching and support, inspiring young participants through their expertise and personal journeys. Supported by a wider team of dedicated sports staff, these sessions have become a cornerstone of community engagement.
Building on this momentum, the Ringside Roadshow was introduced, expanding the boxing provision to Hardwick, Norton, Bowesfield and Port Clarence. Each new location has brought renewed enthusiasm and further evidence of the project’ s value.
However, with increased demand comes increased cost. While Evolve in the Community has benefited from generous donations from local businesses, financial challenges remain. Not every funding application is successful, but the commitment to sustaining and growing the community programme has not wavered.
From a single site with three students to a network of educational centres and community projects, Evolve’ s own evolution is a testament to the power of sport as a tool for learning, engagement and social change.
What began as an idea from a living room in Middlesbrough has become a lifeline for many young people, proving that with the right support, opportunity and belief, lives can truly be transformed.
To find out more, visit evolvesportsacademy. com
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