About

Boxing training without the barriers of a traditional boxing gym

Union Jab exists for people who want to learn how to box but may not want to fight, compete or enter a traditional gym environment.

Our participants learn proper stance, movement, punches, defence, combinations, tactics and padwork. The boxing is real. What changes is the environment in which it is taught.

There is no expectation that somebody must already be fit, confident or familiar with boxing. There is also no requirement to spar or compete. Participants are given the structure, coaching and time needed to develop at their own level.

We use boxing to develop people

Union Jab is a Community Interest Company with regular classes in Greenside NE40 and delivering throughout North East England.

We use boxing as a practical tool to improve social, mental and physical health. Participants develop genuine boxing ability while also learning how to communicate, work with others, accept instruction, solve problems, persist through difficulty and become more confident in their own abilities.

Our programmes are built around individual development rather than the production of competitive fighters. Physical fitness improves through learning and practising boxing, but fitness is not the only point of the programme.

The aim is not simply to make somebody fitter. It is to help them learn, progress and leave wanting to come back.

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Between competitive boxing and boxercise

  • Traditional amateur boxing

    Authentic skills and progression

    • Genuine technical and tactical coaching
    • Strong boxing culture
    • Often built around competition
    • Sparring may be expected
    • The environment can feel intimidating to beginners

  • Boxercise

    Accessible fitness activity

    • Usually approachable for beginners
    • Primarily fitness-led
    • Often limited technical progression
    • May resemble boxing without teaching the sport in depth

  • Union Jab

    Authentic boxing made approachable

    • Genuine technical and tactical coaching
    • Clear, progressive session structure
    • No requirement to spar or compete
    • Suitable for complete beginners
    • Adaptable to different abilities and support needs
    • Social, mental and physical outcomes built into delivery
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A structured course with genuine progression

Every Union Jab session has a defined boxing focus and builds upon the skills taught previously.

Participants begin with the fundamentals of stance, guard, movement and punch technique before progressing into combinations, defensive movements, partner drills, padwork and tactical decision-making.

Sessions generally include:

  • A boxing-specific warm-up
  • Progressive shadow-boxing practice
  • Technical partner and padwork drills
  • Regular changes of training partner
  • A short physical finisher
  • Clear coaching points and individual feedback

The structure is consistent enough to provide routine and measurable progression, while remaining flexible enough to respond to the needs, confidence and ability of each group.

Union Jab’s coaching framework uses progressive shadow boxing and padwork, with each session working towards a defined technical outcome rather than presenting disconnected activities.

These outcomes are not delivered through lectures. They emerge through repeated practice, responsibility, coaching and interaction within the session. Union Jab’s wider outcomes framework centres on involvement, health, safety, confidence, skill development and progression.

What boxing helps us develop

Social development

Participants practise:

  • Working with different partners
  • Communicating clearly
  • Giving and receiving feedback
  • Respecting other people’s space and ability
  • Contributing to a group
  • Building positive relationships

Mental and emotional development

Participants practise:

  • Confidence
  • Discipline
  • Focus
  • Problem-solving
  • Persistence
  • Self-reliance
  • Coping with mistakes and correction

Physical development

Participants improve:

  • Coordination
  • Balance
  • Movement confidence
  • Cardiovascular fitness
  • Strength and endurance
  • Technical boxing ability
  • Confidence participating in exercise

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Real Boxing

Authentic boxing expertise

Our coaches understand boxing as a sport and can teach its technical and tactical fundamentals properly.

High Standards

Professional delivery


We expect punctuality, preparation, clear communication, suitable presentation and dependable attendance throughout every course.

Reliability

A consistent framework


Coaches follow the Union Jab delivery model, giving organisations a consistent standard rather than an entirely different service from one coach to another.

Safety

Safe and controlled sessions


Activities are structured, equipment is managed carefully and participants are taught clear rules around contact, behaviour and respect.

Adaptability

Adaptable coaching


We can adjust explanations, exercises, groupings and progression for different ages, abilities, confidence levels and additional needs.

True Development

More than a one-off activity

Programmes are designed to create progression over time rather than provide a single novelty session with no clear direction.

Programmes shaped around you and the people you support

Union Jab works with children, young people and adults through:

  • Primary and secondary schools
  • Colleges and alternative education provision
  • Universities and professional organisations
  • SEND and neurodiversity services
  • Youth organisations
  • Charities and Community Interest Companies
  • Housing and community organisations
  • Local authorities and public services
  • Community groups and adult services

We have particular experience working in small groups with autistic and ADHD participants, people with behavioural or coordination challenges, and those who have not previously felt comfortable in conventional sporting environments.

The model works for any group that would benefit from high-quality boxing coaching delivered in a structured, welcoming and non-competitive format.

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Developed through years of real-world delivery

Union Jab was founded by Charlie Cooke (HDip, BSc, ANutr, MS), an Autistic and ADHD Level 2 boxing coach with over 10 years of coaching experience.

We began by delivering boxing sessions within local communities and developed rapidly after returning to regular delivery in 2021.

As more schools, charities, youth organisations and community services approached us, it became clear that there was a substantial group of people who wanted to learn boxing but were not being served by either traditional competitive clubs or fitness-only classes.

Our class structure has since been tested and refined through years of delivery with children, adults, beginners, neurodivergent participants and people who had previously struggled to engage with exercise.

Union Jab became a Community Interest Company in 2024, formalising our commitment to using boxing for wider community benefit.

We continue to provide our classes, supporting development in the area through a research relationship with King's College London, and Charlie's role as performance coach at Newcastle University Boxing Club.