Women’s Coach Development Programme Spotlight: Samera Ali

Samera Ali, of Tamworth Boxing Club in the Midlands, is a serial trailblazer. A fiercely proud woman in sport, Ali hopes her involvement in the WCDP will allow her to continue knocking down doors for female athletes.

How did you first get involved in boxing?

My boxing journey began after training as a kickboxer for eight years. Throughout those years, kickboxing had become a significant part of my life, shaping my physical and mental strength. However, the real challenges began during the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced me to rethink my training and fitness routine, after two tough years during the pandemic, I decided to try something new and joined a boxing gym

The pandemic not only tested my physical limits but also highlighted how crucial combat sports had been in my and my family’s life. My daughters and I had been training in kickboxing, and during the lockdown, we knew we couldn’t let that training slip away. We adapted quickly, continuing our fitness journey with online classes. I even took on the role of coaching my daughters at home, organizing controlled sparring sessions to keep our skills sharp. I then started attending BoxFit classes at the gym, where I discovered a natural ability to coach other boxers in boxing techniques.

I loved the coaching aspect, and the main coach at the gym saw this passion in me. He encouraged me to take on more responsibilities, like setting combinations and creating class themes. As I spent more time in the gym, I realized how much I enjoyed coaching, and it inspired me to study for my Level 2 and Level 3 Personal Training qualifications. Boxing had transformed from a personal fitness journey into a deep passion for coaching.

The more I coached, the more I realized how much I wanted to help others, especially women, become stronger through boxing. My main coach pushed me to set up my own female strength and stamina classes, incorporating boxing into the workouts. The experience was invaluable, and it made me reflect on my training over the years. I had trained up to 18 hours a week during my kickboxing career, and that dedication translated into my coaching.

As my club became affiliated with England Boxing, I immediately took the opportunity to pursue my Level 1 coaching qualification. During my safeguarding course, I met Alan Keast, who would become a mentor and guide me in my coaching journey. Eager to improve further, I asked Alan if I could shadow and coach at Tamworth Boxing Club, and before long, I was part of the coaching team.

At Tamworth, I worked hard to refine my skills, shadowing experienced coaches and helping boxers improve their techniques. With Alan’s encouragement and positive feedback from the team, I grew both personally and professionally. I also joined the Midlands Female Squad sessions and attended events like Athena and Next Gen, where I found a renewed sense of purpose in providing opportunities for female boxers.

By the end of the year, I was ready to take on the Level 2 coaching course. I spent my Christmas holidays practising and perfecting my coaching skills in preparation for the assessment the following year. I also attended Aspire workshops and England camps, continuously seeking ways to develop and improve as a coach.

Boxing has given me so much more than fitness; it’s provided me with a sense of purpose and fulfilment. It has shaped me as a coach, a mentor, and a role model, and I’m excited to continue my journey, helping others—especially female boxers—reach their full potential.

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

When I first heard about this initiative, I immediately went up to Alan and asked how I could sign up. The thought of working alongside like-minded women, all dedicated to developing themselves as coaches, was something I knew I wanted to be part of. I still remember the disappointment when I found out the cohort for that year had already been chosen. I knew the application required a five-minute video, and believe me, that video was ready before the entry link was even sent out!

When I received the email saying I had been successful in my application, I was beyond ecstatic. As a Muslim woman, I have faced my share of obstacles along the way. However, I have always ensured that neither societal nor cultural norms would define or hold back my daughters, and in turn, I’ve found myself fighting for not only their opportunities but for other women in the sport—both as athletes and coaches.

Being part of any initiative that aims to develop and empower women to succeed in their chosen fields is an incredible achievement. This programme is a huge step towards that, and I’m incredibly proud to be involved. I’m excited to see how much I can develop, particularly as I work alongside mentors who have been where I am today. Their expertise and support will be invaluable as I continue my journey in boxing, and I’m looking forward to everything I can learn from them to help me grow as a coach.

What do you hope to get from the WCDP that can improve you as a coach?

Through the WCDP, I hope to gain a deeper understanding of my coaching style and how I can refine and develop it. One of my main goals is to learn how to better self-reflect, which will allow me to assess my strengths and areas for improvement as a coach. I believe that this self-awareness is essential for growth and will enable me to adapt more effectively to the needs of the athletes I work with.

Another aspect I’m excited about is the opportunity to work alongside a diverse group of coaches. I see this as a chance to learn from their experiences and insights, which will help me broaden my approach and bring new techniques and strategies into my own coaching. The exposure to different coaching styles will be invaluable in helping me become a more well-rounded coach.

I’m also eager to develop all aspects of my coaching, from planning and structuring sessions to improving my communication and engagement with athletes. One of the key experiences I look forward to is working with a range of boxers I don’t yet know. This will challenge me to develop a versatile coaching style, enabling me to connect with and bring out the best in any boxer, regardless of their background or experience level. This will be especially beneficial when I’m assisting at England prep camps, as it will help me refine my ability to adapt and coach in varied environments.

While I’m already confident in running sessions at my gym, I would love to gain more confidence and guidance in leading camp sessions. I believe that with the right support and mentorship, I can improve my delivery and execution, which will directly benefit the athletes I coach.

Ultimately, I want to continue to grow as a coach, and I’m excited about the opportunity to reflect more on my approach and further develop my skills. The WCDP will not only help me improve as a coach but also enable me to better support the boxers I work with, empowering them to reach their full potential.

How will attending the WCDP help you in your club environment?

Attending the WCDP will be invaluable in developing me as a coach, as it will provide me with the opportunity to work alongside a diverse range of coaches. This exposure will equip me with a broad set of skills and techniques that I can apply directly in my gym environment. I strongly believe in continuous development as a coach, and the knowledge and insights I gain from the programme will not only enhance my personal coaching abilities but will also help me better support and develop the boxers in my gym.

Additionally, I expect that the programme will boost my confidence and strengthen my self-belief as a coach. Gaining new skills and experiences will give me the tools to lead with greater assurance, which will positively impact the atmosphere in my gym. As I continue to grow, I will be better equipped to motivate and guide my boxers to reach their full potential.

Who are your biggest boxing inspirations?

My biggest boxing inspirations are Muhammad Ali, Bruce Lee, and my coach, Sean Quinn.

Although I am a passionate supporter and ambassador for female boxing, my love for the sport was initially nurtured by Muhammad Ali. I distinctly remember watching the “Rumble in the Jungle” with my brother, and we would often sit together to watch countless documentaries about Ali’s legendary career. His charisma, skill, and unwavering self-belief made a profound impact on me. Additionally, I grew up watching the Rocky movies, where I was particularly drawn to the training camps. The sheer determination and discipline displayed in those films were incredibly inspiring and played a significant role in shaping my understanding of what it takes to succeed in boxing.

Though Bruce Lee wasn’t directly involved in boxing, his philosophies on training and his iconic motivational quotes left a lasting impression on me. His approach to physical and mental discipline continues to inspire my coaching mindset and philosophy.

However, the most influential inspiration in my boxing journey has been my coach, Sean Quinn. He has been a truly remarkable coach who knows how to bring out the best in me, my daughters, and the boxers around me. Sean’s support, guidance, and expertise were pivotal in my development, and I feel he deserves to be mentioned in my spotlight. If I can ever be remembered as a coach like him—one who genuinely helps athletes unlock their full potential—it would be a great honour.