Michelle Dean, a 44-year-old coach from Bradford, discovered her passion for coaching after volunteering at The Lion Gym in Greengates.
Seven years later, she is seeing the vast benefits of coaching and is determined to inspire other women to give it a try.
Dean’s journey started when she was looking for a role in sport and found The Lion Gym in BD10.
As soon as she became involved, she quickly became engaged with and enthusiastic about the sport, despite having limited experience.
That enthusiasm has never left her, and she continues to coach at The Lion Gym with the same energy she brought on her first day.
Along the way, Dean has seen her confidence grow, both inside and outside the gym.
She helps youngsters who enter the gym feeling shy leave full of confidence, and the impact on her is just as significant.
Dean said: “It’s made me want to learn more outside of boxing.
“I’m more confident with my family and friends now, and it’s given me the belief to push myself forward.”
Boxing has long been seen as a male-dominated sport, and when Dean first started securing her qualifications, she was often the only female on the course.
This did not faze her and she explained: “I attended my Level Two qualification, and I was the only female on the course, but I didn’t feel like it was them against me.
“I saw myself as a coach, just like everyone else, who was there to learn, grow, and contribute.”
Female boxing coaches are continuing to transform lives throughout their communities, through mentorship, support, and personal growth, showing how coaching can act as a catalyst for wider social impact.
Dean first got involved to help people grow, and that remains one of her biggest motivations.
Michelle Dean has helped many young boxers at The Lion Gym go on to achieve great success. (Image: Run Communications)
She admitted: “Seeing people grow is what keeps me involved.
“I want them to learn things and win, but I also want them to gain things they can take into the future.”
Dean hopes other women around the country can follow in her footsteps and experience the same joy and passion she has experienced from coaching.
She said: “I think sometimes you just need to go for it.
“You’re not going to know if it’s not for you until you try it and every coach is really supportive.
“The female section is growing, and because of that, they need female coaches to help women and girls feel like they belong.”
UK Coaching is committed to reversing the decline in female coaches and is continuing to work with partners on further research to develop a deeper understanding of the reasons for the drop-off in female coaches.
They only made up 38 per cent of the coaching population in 2024, compared to 44 per cent in 2022.
They are also dedicated to celebrating inspiring coaching stories from every sport, at every level, to shine a light on the unsung heroes who are building stronger clubs, communities, and futures.