Community
News from the network: DC Boxing team up with Maltby Academy to introduce new scholarship initiative
June 5 2026
Matchroom Boxing and Empire Fighting Chance joined DC Boxing and senior leaders at Maltby Academy last week, as work continues towards the launch of a new Boxing Scholarship programme in September 2026.
The visit formed part of ongoing planning around the scholarship, with representatives from each organisation coming together to explore how the initiative can open new opportunities for young people through sport and education.
Based in Rotherham, the scholarship will become part of The Sixth Form Partnership’s expanding enrichment and performance offer, sitting alongside its existing Football Scholarship. Students enrolled onto the programme will have the opportunity to balance academic study with structured boxing training within a supported educational environment.
Delivered in partnership with DC Boxing, the scholarship has been developed to support participation, confidence and progression, while also helping young people build discipline, routine and transferable skills through the sport.
The visit took place in the build-up to Josh Padley’s showdown with Aqib Fiaz at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield, continuing Matchroom’s wider approach of integrating meaningful community activity into fight week schedules across the country.
As part of the day, Matchroom’s Head of Community Development, Alex Le Guével and Empire Fighting Chance’s Head of Growth & Partnerships, Aaron Morten met with Ian Huddlestone and Alex Palfreyman from DC Boxing, spoke with students and staff – and delivered a Q&A session discussing boxing’s wider social value and the role sport can play in supporting young people both inside and outside of education.
Alongside the student sessions, meetings were also held with senior figures from the Maltby Learning Trust to discuss the long-term ambitions of the scholarship, future recruitment plans and how the programme can become embedded within the trust’s wider offer moving forward.
Importantly, the visit also linked into the wider ‘Boxing for Good’ network connected to Matchroom Boxing and Empire Fighting Chance – a growing national network supporting boxing clubs, community organisations and education providers using the sport to create stronger pathways for young people.
Support is now being provided to help promote the scholarship ahead of its September 2026 launch, with partners working together to raise awareness of the opportunity across the local area.
Speaking following the visit, Alex Le Guével explained why the programme stood out.
“It’s genuinely encouraging to see boxing so well embedded within an educational setting, with senior leaders clearly recognising the value the sport can have for young people – physically, mentally and academically,” he explained.
“DC Boxing have already built something with real credibility locally and what impressed us most was the level of thought behind the programme and the ambition to create meaningful opportunities for students,” he continued.
“We’re pleased to support where we can and help elevate the work moving forward.”
The Boxing Scholarship represents another step in the continued growth of sport-based education pathways across the region and reflects the increasing recognition of boxing as a tool for personal development beyond competition alone.
With recruitment activity now underway ahead of September 2026, the collaboration between DC Boxing and Maltby Academy is expected to continue evolving over the coming months as preparations begin for the programme’s first intake of students.
For more information, please visit The Sixth Form Partnership’s website.