THE rise of women in boxing has reached an amateur club where the head coach’s daughter is leading the way.

Clubs across the country have reported an increase in women taking up the sport over the past decade, particularly since Great Britain’s Nicola Adams became the first woman to win Olympic boxing gold at London 2012.

And Spennymoor Boxing Academy is no different since it launched girls and women-only sessions at its gym at Spennymoor Leisure Centre.

Steph Ellis, whose dad Robert Ellis founded the club in 1991 and brother Reece and fiancé Garry Dodds both box for Spennymoor, became a qualified coach in 2013 when she realised there were not many female coaches around and women wanting to box to loose weight can feel embarrassed and uncomfortable with men around.

The 26-year-old helped run junior sessions on a Saturday morning and has travelled with the club to contests to assist ringside.

She secured £1,700 from Sported, a charity that supports community sports, for equipment, training and to run a six week course for girls last year.

Spennymoor Youth Council also donated £350 for t-shirts and gloves.

The Friday night sessions for eight to 15-year-olds were fully booked every week and are now a regular session, from 5pm to 5.45pm.

Miss Ellis also launched a popular women’s class on Wednesdays, 6.15pm to 7.15pm, and has recruited more coaches to cope with demand.

She said: “The interest for female boxing has increased massively.

“I believe Nicola Adams winning the Olympics has shown young girls that boxing isn’t just for men and has given them the motivation to give it ago.”

She said some girls are already thinking about boosting their training at male sessions and considering entering the ring competitively.

Miss Ellis said: “I am over the moon with the success of the class and feel proud of how far the girls have come in just 12 weeks, the girls now demonstrate improved fitness, discipline and want to improve and learn new skills.

“I have had feedback from parents that the sessions have helped their daughters be more confident.

“I also promote positive behaviour within the home setting so if parents tell me a girl has been badly behaved, cheeky or not achieving at school I will speak to them about the importance of improving or they may be barred from sessions.”

For information or to book a place text Miss Ellis on 07581-219825.