Joanne Seward, based at Poseidon Boxing Club in Southampton, has been highlighted in a new ‘Women in Coaching’ series by UK Coaching and England Boxing for changing lives through sport.

The 62-year-old only started boxing at the age of 52 to improve her fitness, but quickly developed a passion for the sport and began supporting the coaching team at her club.

READ MORE: Army and Royal Navy go head-to-head at boxing event

Ms Seward started boxing at the age of 52 to improve her fitness, but quickly developed a passion for the sport. (Image: Run Communications)

Ms Seward said: “I wanted to be just as committed to the programme as I was in my first job.”

She went on to join an England Boxing coaching programme and is now a key member of the coaching team at Poseidon, working closely with head coaches.

However, Ms Seward admitted that starting out wasn’t without its challenges.

She said: “When I started the development course, I felt like the slow one at the back because I was the one who knew the least.

“I felt like I had more to prove, but once I got further down the line, I realised it didn’t matter.”

Her story comes as figures from UK Coaching’s Coaching in the UK Report show a decline in female coaches, dropping from 44 per cent in 2022 to 38 per cent in 2024.

Ms Seward believes more women in coaching roles is essential.

She said: “Having female coaches is crucial because they can coach people who are similar to them.”

She also acknowledged that not everyone was comfortable with her taking charge at her previous gym, but says attitudes have changed.

READ MORE: Southampton man with cerebral palsy fulfils lifelong boxing dream

She explained: “It’s not an issue 90 per cent of the time now. People understand that you are there to coach.”

In addition to coaching, Ms Seward has spent the past two years as a boxing judge at grassroots events across the country.

She said the judging role has helped her broaden her knowledge of the sport.

Ms Seward hopes her journey encourages more women to step forward.

She said: “Believe. You must believe in yourself and do it. What’s the worst that can happen? Don’t let people put you down. Just believe.”