Councillor Debra Owen-Gates, her consort, Derek Blackman, former Mayor of Ramsgate Laurie Hudson and current Mayor Raushan Ara with T50 owner Alex Stockley and gym members
A Ramsgate boxing club that opened in April 2024 with a mission to make sessions truly open to everyone has grown rapidly and is working with local schools, colleges, care homes, supported living services and community organisations to deliver inclusive boxing and fitness programmes.
T50 Boxing and Fitness Academy in Whitehall Road is headed up by boxer and trainer Alex Stockley, and began with sessions for children and adults with a special focus on assisting those with autism, ADHD or poor mental health.
Since then the gym has expanded to double in size and has extended its reach to numerous community organisations and groups.
Alex says he believes boxing and fitness can transform people’s lives and reflected on his own journey, saying: “I’m no one special. I grew up in a council house in Thanet and, by the age of 15, I was largely on my own. My teenage years were spent hanging around on street corners, drinking, fighting and getting into trouble with very little guidance.
“Through fitness, weight training and boxing, I completely changed my mindset. Living with ADHD, I channelled my energy into something positive, developed an incredible work ethic and built a full-time career and a business that I’m immensely proud of.
“Now I want to use everything I’ve learned to help build a brighter future for the next generation, support people from every background and create a lasting positive impact on our local community.”
Alex says the ongoing support of Ramsgate Town Council and Thanet District Council has helped the gym to create lasting positive change across the community.
T50 Boxing & Fitness Academy has benefited from the backing of both councils since first making connections through the Thanet District Council Community Volunteer Awards two years ago.
Alex said: “We are incredibly fortunate to have the support of Thanet District Council, a relationship that began through the Community Volunteer Awards two years ago.
“It’s rewarding to know that the work we are doing has been recognised, and by working together with Thanet District Council and now Ramsgate Town Council, we are creating more opportunities to keep children and adults engaged in positive activities that promote discipline, confidence and wellbeing through boxing.
“I would like to thank the Chair of Thanet District Council, Cllr Debra Owen-Gates, and her consort, Derek Blackman, for their continued support. I would also like to thank the former Mayor of Ramsgate, Laurie Hudson, and the current Mayor of Ramsgate, Raushan Ara, for their encouragement and belief in what we are trying to achieve.
“This is what community partnership is all about. When organisations, businesses and individuals come together to support one another, they can make a real difference. We are already seeing the positive impact these projects are having on children, young people and adults across Thanet.”
Over the past two years, T50 Boxing & Fitness Academy has worked with groups including East Kent Mencap, Your Choice Activities, Stone Bay School, Westwood Learning Alliance, Liberty College, schools including Bromstone and Newington Primary and Laleham Gap and many more.
Alex said his ambition is to create one of the most inclusive boxing academies the area has ever seen.
He said: “When I say inclusive, I genuinely mean everyone. Whether it’s additional needs adult classes, over-50s fitness sessions, boxing in care homes, supported living services, schools or community groups, I want every person to feel welcome. No one should ever feel anxious about walking through the doors of a boxing gym, and nobody should miss out because of their financial circumstances.
“Seeing the positive impact these sessions have on people’s confidence, mental health and overall wellbeing is incredibly rewarding and keeps us motivated to do even more.”
The academy has no plans to slow down, with ambitions to expand its community projects throughout Thanet before eventually reaching communities across Kent.
Alex said: “There are some fantastic football organisations providing incredible opportunities for young people, but there are very few organisations delivering the same level of community engagement through boxing.
“Many boxing clubs understandably focus on competitions, one-to-one coaching and regular classes, but we want to show how boxing can benefit the wider community.
“I truly believe boxing and fitness have the power to change lives. They teach discipline, resilience, confidence and respect while providing people with a positive direction in life. They can also play an important role in preventing crime and violence by giving people somewhere safe to belong.”
Alex was keen to recognise the people who have helped make the academy’s success possible.
He said: “None of this would be possible without the incredible support network around me, especially my coaching team: Sam Coveney, Alfie Rolandson, Lee Stratton, Ethan Chibnall and John O’Neil. I’d also like to thank Dan Burgess from Its Your Choice Activity Service for his continued support and commitment to our community projects.
“Finally, I want to thank all of the local businesses and organisations that have supported and sponsored the club over the last two years. Your generosity has enabled us to continue growing and making a real difference within our community.”
Alex thanked Thanet District Council, CLB Scaffolding, SJC Construction, Thanet Grab Hire, BNB Recycling, Smoke & Co, Mark Brissenden Roofing, Clean Sweep, Brava Waste Management, Bloomsbury Construction, Fiat 500 Specialist Cars, and everyone else who has contributed to the academy’s journey.
He added: “We genuinely couldn’t do this without you. Thank you for believing in our vision and helping us change lives through boxing. This is only the beginning.”
Councillor Debra Owen-Gates, her consort, Derek Blackman, former Mayor of Ramsgate Laurie Hudson and current Mayor Raushan Ara dropped into the gym this week to meet members and even take on a bit of sparring. They have donated funding for the gym’s two new punchbags.
Cllr Hudson said: “I am delighted to support T50 Boxing & Fitness Academy with this donation in recognition of the outstanding work Alex and his team do for our community.
“I first met Alex and learnt about the incredible work of T50 during my time as Mayor of Ramsgate. Since then, I have continued to be impressed by the academy’s commitment to supporting young people, promoting inclusion and providing a safe, welcoming environment for people of all ages and abilities.
“T50 is about far more than boxing. It builds confidence, improves wellbeing and creates opportunities that have a lasting impact on our community. I am pleased to support an organisation that makes such a positive difference across Thanet, and I hope this contribution helps the academy continue its excellent work for many years to come.”
T50 owner Alex Stockley and coaching team member Sam Coveney
Cllr Ara added: “It was fantastic to hear about the services Alex is offering to our community for all ages, including support for those with SEN.
“I had a wonderful time putting my boxing skills to the test with the young people and the coach and I wish Alex and his team the very best of luck with this amazing venture. If you’re interested in joining the club or finding out more about their activities, please get in touch with them.”
Find the gym on facebook at T50 Amateur boxing academy