St Paul’s Boxing Academy lies in the shadows of Hull Minster
Peter Craig Reporter
05:00, 01 Aug 2026
Life Skills Hub Key Workers Abbie Fieldhouse and Shannon Headley at St Paul’s Boxing Academy in Hull(Image: Donna Clifford/Hull Live)
A gym in the heart of Hull has given salvation for generations of young people and a golden start to their lives. Mayor of Hull and East Yorkshire, Luke Campbell MBE, is a member of St Paul’s Boxing Academy on the North Church Side, in the shadow of Hull Minster.
It has served the community with the support of local businesses and donors. The gym is open seven days every week and caters for members aged four years to 84.
It first started as a gym in the old quarter near to the fire station. But a popular ballroom next to the Minster became available and organisers moved in for a fresh start.
Head coach, Mike Bromby, MBE, told how he joined the gym when he was nine years old. He said: “We had no heating and there was pigeon mess everywhere. The only way to keep warm was to train.”
Local charity champions John Rutherford and Shelagh Devereaux stepped in to begin the transformation and the gym has gone from strength to strength. It is well supported through donor companies supporting the venue with cash.
St Paul’s Boxing Academy in Hull(Image: Donna Clifford/Hull Live)
Judges at Hull Crown Court say the proceeds of crime found at the scene of police raids can be used to support the good cause. The confiscated cash seized in drugs raids is allocated for St Paul’s Boxing Gym along with other good causes, including agencies supporting victims of domestic violence.
Sometimes that can be several hundreds pounds or more than £1,000 and goes to the gym charity in a bid to divert young people away from crime and anti-social behaviour. Mike said: “It is now a lovely building and it is well used.
“We work with all abilities and disabilities. We have trustees who manage it and a 10-strong team of volunteers. It is like a family. It is not just a gym. It is a lot more than that. “We are trying to put people on the right track.
“We work closely with parents and offer opportunities in to jobs and training courses. There is always a vibe about the place and everyone learns about respect.”
The gym motto ‘I can, I will, I do.’ adorns the wall of the inspirational venue. Other words of mission decorate the walls, such as ‘Your Time To Shine,’ ‘Believe And You Will Achieve’ and ‘We are Family.’
Everyone who enters the gym knows ‘The Future Is Bright’ thanks to the dedication of the team who look after young people. Mike added: “It is about being positive to help the lives of others.” He said the club organises day trips to places like Scarborough.
Mike Bromby, MBE at St Paul’s Boxing Academy in Hull(Image: Donna Clifford/Hull Live)
“Some of the members make friends for life. We try to keep them all away from mischief. We include everyone. We help the homeless and welcome them and ask how they ended up that way and offer support,” said Mike.
He added: “It is about giving people chances and opportunities. You want everyone to be happy. We welcome boys and girls, men and women and all from diverse backgrounds. There is even an 85-year-old member. Everyone is welcome, not just for boxing but also to develop life skills, friendships, confidence and social inclusion.”
He was awarded an MBE by then Prince Charles for his services to boxing. The gym’s welfare officer, Dave Curtis has been boxing since the age of eight years, and became a professional boxer at 28.
His father Jim Curtis was a former chairman of the club. “We have come a long way,” he said.
“We used to have to start a stove in the middle of the room just to keep warm. The running costs at the start were amazing. We have had a lot of support. It benefits so many young people. There are even some in their 80s who come along. We have a Parkinson’s Boxing Club because it benefits them.”
He told how students with special educational needs attend regularly. “It helps with their concentration because boxing gives a focus,” he said.
Every week Hull’s Life Skills Hub brings a group of students from the school which looks after special educational needs pupils. Abbie Fieldhouse, a key worker said: “The kids love it and it builds their confidence. I bring my son here because after his first visit he wanted to keep coming back.”
Shannon Headley, a fellow key worker said: “We come along for Enrichment Afternoons. The staff caught their attention within five minutes. They are very understanding of their needs. They love it. It helps their self-confidence.
“We have a lot of teenagers and it supports them because they want to lose weight and look good. A lot of teenagers don’t have an outlet. This is a healthy way of letting their feelings out.”
Did you know you can make Hull Live a preferred source of Hull news in Google, which will mean you get more of our breaking news, exclusives, and must-read stories straight away? Here’s more information about what this means and how to do it – you can also do it straight away by clicking here .