New dates for National Championships 2021 announced

New National Championships 2021 dates for all age groups can now be confirmed by England Boxing, subject to Covid-19 restrictions continuing to be eased as planned.

The England Boxing National Amateur, Youth, Junior and Schools Championships were postponed in the early part of this year amid rising Coronavirus infection levels.

However, with those levels having decreased considerably following the latest lockdown and vaccine roll-out, boxers have returned to clubs and some contact boxing is now permitted (limited sparring for under-18s, limited pad work for adults).

The next logical step is the eventual restarting of competitions, with the aim that the postponed events will now be completed later this year, providing the UK government’s current roadmap out of the pandemic does not change.

The National Championships schedule that follows has been put together following extensive consultation with England Boxing’s regional representatives and a selection of coaches and officials, as well as lengthy discussions between the England Boxing’s Championship sub-committee and board.

Full National Championships 2021 schedule

England Boxing National Schools Championships 2021 (semi-finals and finals) – Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th September.

England Boxing National Youth Championships and Youth Development Championships 2021 (quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals) – Friday 15th October, Saturday 16th October and Sunday 17th October.

England Boxing National Junior Championships and Junior Development Championships 2021 (semi-finals and finals) – Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st November.

England Boxing National Amateur Championships 2021 (pre quarter-finals) – Saturday 27th November or Sunday 28th November, TBC.

England Boxing National Amateur Championships and Senior Development Championships 2021 (quarter-finals and semi-finals) – Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th December.

England Boxing National Amateur Championships and Senior Development Championships 2021 (finals days) – Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th December.

‘Hope is to end the year on a high’

“We’re delighted to be able to rearrange each of the National Championships, which will hopefully end the year on a high after a difficult previous 18 months or so,” said Competitions and Events Manager Lynsey Lockey.

“After the frustrating and lack of activity we have all had to deal with, to be talking about dates for competitions to be up and running again is really exciting – and I’m sure there will be some fantastic boxing, providing the government give us the green light for everything to go ahead.

“Because we are having to squeeze what would normally be held over the course of the best part of a year into just four months – so that boxers, rightly, have the necessary time to prepare correctly after the enforced, extended break from competition – we have had to make sacrifices in certain circumstances in order to be able to make it happen.

“Due to time scales, we have merged the Development competitions with their respective National Championships (Senior, Youth and Junior) and regrettably will not be able to host the England Boxing Women’s Winter Box Cup this year.

“But in an exceptional year because of Covid-19,  this was the most viable solution in the time slot available to get all five National Championships in and give everyone at all levels the chance to box for a national title. We have done everything we can to get competitions on again and feel it is better to have some of what is possible in a ‘normal’ year, rather than nothing at all.

“We wish everyone the best of luck in their training for competitions and, Coronavirus-permitting, look forward to seeing lots of familiar boxers and coaches back where they belong – in the ring competing – come the autumn.”

Click here to see Championships draw 2021.

Venues and more info to follow

Further information on these National Championships, including venues, will be released in due course.

In the event that lockdown restrictions are re-introduced by the UK government, then England Boxing will review and amend the schedule accordingly.

The intention is to return the traditional schedule in 2022, meaning that all age groups will see two National Championships in the same season 2021-22 season.