Female coach spotlight: Kara Mikolajczyk (Mikey’s Boxing Gym)

Kara Mikolajczyk is inspired by those she coaches at Mikey’s Boxing Gym to be the best coach she can be and believes the inaugural England Boxing Female Coach Development Programme (FCDP) can play a key part in that journey.

How did you first get into boxing?

When I was nine, I started martial arts up and carried on up until I was 19, competing at an international level, so combat sport has always been in my blood. Boxing was first introduced to me by my husband, who taught boxing classes. Then, in 2015 ,we opened Mikey’s Boxing Gym, and that’s when my coaching career began.

How pleased are you to be involved in a programme that is actively bidding to push women’s and girls’ boxing forward?

I feel very fortunate to be part of the first FCDP cohort. I’m so pleased to be part of a programme pushing women’s and girls boxing forward.  On completing the FCDP, I hope to have gained more skills and confidence in my coaching ability to give my boxers the best experience of their boxing journey.

What do you hope to get out of the FCDP that can improve you as a coach?

The FCDP has already helped on my return back to the gym. I’ve started a fortnightly educational session where we cover different topics, such as preparation for shows / championships and practising wrapping hands.

Who are your biggest boxing inspirations?

My boxers at our gym are my biggest inspiration. Watching them train and to see their motivation is what drives me to become the best coach I can be for them.