Shared values on display as England Boxing and Royal Marines unite in Sheffield

England Boxing and the Royal Marines Commando continued to build on their strong, growing partnership during a collaborative weekend of activities at the English Institute of Sport (EIS) in Sheffield.

The weekend saw England Coach John Hodkinson working closely with the Royal Marines boxing team, delivering the England Boxing Five Pillars of Coaching course to a Southern Counties cohort. The Five Pillars coaches observed the behaviours of the Marines’ boxers, prompting coach reactions in alignment with the Five Pillars programme.

Among the cohort was Royal Marines coach Brad Chapman (pictured below with a certificate), underlining the shared commitment between both organisations to coaching excellence and long-term athlete development.

Alongside the education programme, Sheffield also hosted the final camp for England Boxing’s 2025–2026 Senior Performance squad. Marking a milestone in the partnership, this was the first time England Boxing and the Royal Marines have come together for a joint training camp, providing valuable shared experiences for boxers and coaches alike.

On Sunday, the collaboration expanded further with members of the 1st Battalion, The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment (1 LANCS) joining the camp. Their involvement provided additional sparring opportunities, benefitting both England and Royal Marines boxers through exposure to different styles, intensity and competitive challenges.

Select Under 19 England boxers were also present, taking part in a preparation camp ahead of an upcoming competition, further adding to the high-performance environment across the weekend.

The weekend highlighted the alignment between England Boxing and the Royal Marines, built on shared values of discipline, resilience, teamwork and performance under pressure. As one of England Boxing’s Performance partners, the Royal Marines continue to play an important role in supporting development opportunities across the pathway.

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