Coach for Union Jab CIC

More than filling coaching hours

We are not looking for somebody who simply wants to stand at the front of a room and call out combinations.

We want coaches who genuinely care about people, about boxing, that take pride in helping people improve and understand that good coaching depends on patience, communication and trust.

The right person will probably talk about boxing, coaching and technical development for hours when given the opportunity. They will be genuinely compassionate and care for the people that attend their classes, and also understand that every participant learns differently and that professionalism matters just as much as enthusiasm.

We recruit for character and coaching potential, then train coaches to deliver the Union Jab system.

We use boxing to develop people

Union Jab teaches real boxing, but boxing development is not our only measure of success.

For some participants, progress may mean:

  • Walking into a session for the first time
  • Speaking to another person
  • Joining a partner activity
  • Staying engaged for the full class
  • Building confidence in their body
  • Finding a form of exercise they genuinely enjoy
  • Learning to manage frustration or keep trying
  • Feeling accepted within a group

Technical progress matters, but it sits within a wider purpose.

We use boxing to help people become more confident, connected, active and capable.

The right Union Jab coach understands this instinctively.

Apply to Work With Us

A social and accessible route into boxing and exercise

Union Jab sits between a traditional competitive boxing club and a social fitness class.

We offer authentic boxing coaching without requiring participants to spar, compete or already feel confident in a sporting environment.

Many of the people we work with:

  • Are completely new to boxing
  • Have not previously enjoyed exercise
  • Feel uncomfortable in conventional gyms
  • Lack confidence in group environments
  • Need a calmer or more supportive introduction
  • Want genuine boxing without thinking of sparring or competing
  • Benefit from clear structure, patience and encouragement

Our purpose is not to replace or compete with amateur boxing clubs.

It is to create a welcoming entry point for people who may otherwise never experience boxing or regular physical activity.

Qualifications matter, but they do not automatically make somebody a Union Jab coach. We are looking for people whose values and behaviour fit the way we operate.

Character comes first: The Union Jab Coach Ethos

Caring

You take a genuine interest in the people you coach and want them to feel safe, respected and supported.

Patient

You are willing to repeat instructions, adapt your language and allow people to progress at different speeds.

Reliable

You attend agreed sessions, arrive prepared and communicate clearly when circumstances change.

Professional

Schools, families, participants and community organisations can trust you to represent Union Jab properly.

Encouraging

You notice effort and progress, especially in participants who may not recognise it themselves.

Calm

You do not need to dominate a room to lead it. You create authority through consistency, knowledge and good relationships.

Adaptable

You can change a drill, explanation or session pace without losing the purpose of the session.

Inclusive

You believe that genuine boxing should be open to more people, not reserved only for those who immediately fit traditional boxing culture.

Passionate about boxing

You care deeply about the sport, coaching and technical development. You are probably the sort of person who will happily discuss boxing and coaching for hours when given the opportunity.

Committed to learning

You are open to feedback and willing to continue developing as both a coach and a person.

This may not suit every boxing coach

Traditional ABCs rightly focus on developing competitive boxers. Union Jab serves people who enjoy boxing but may never want to spar, compete or engage with the sport outside their weekly sessions.

Some participants may train with us for years and make only modest technical progress, while making major gains in confidence, social interaction, independence and enjoyment of exercise. For us, that is meaningful progress.

This role therefore requires exceptional patience. Coaches must be comfortable placing personal development ahead of boxing performance and recognising success in forms that may not be obvious technically.

Union Jab provides a suitable home for people who want genuine boxing coaching, regular attention and a positive social environment, without distracting ABC coaches from their rightful priority of competitive boxer development.

Our strength is not that we replace traditional boxing clubs, but that we offer a different and more accessible route into boxing.

Apply to Coach With Us

Essential qualifications

Before leading Union Jab sessions independently, coaches must hold:

  • England Boxing Level 1, Welsh Boxing Level 1 or Boxing Scotland Level 1
  • current enhanced DBS clearance
  • current first-aid qualification
  • current safeguarding training
  • appropriate right-to-work and freelance documentation
  • reliable transport where travel is required

Qualifications and checks must remain current throughout delivery.

Meeting these requirements allows somebody to be considered for the role. It does not automatically mean they will be approved as a Union Jab coach.

Approval also depends on character, reliability, coaching quality and successful completion of the Union Jab training pathway.

Experience we value

Applicants must have experience in boxing coaching and ideally one or more of the following:

  • Community sport
  • Youth work
  • Schools or education
  • Social or voluntary-sector work
  • Supporting people with additional needs
  • Working with beginners
  • Group facilitation
  • One-to-one coaching
  • Community engagement
  • Programme outreach or partnership development

Applicants do not need to have worked in every setting.

A strong boxing coach with the right character can learn community delivery. Someone with excellent community experience must still demonstrate genuine boxing knowledge and technical competence.

The strongest candidates bring both.

Apply to Coach With Us

Becoming a Union Jab coach: Every coach progresses through a structured onboarding process.

Training pathway

1. Initial conversation and suitability

We discuss your boxing background, coaching experience, values, availability and the type of work that interests you.

2. Union Jab induction

You are introduced to:

  • Union Jab’s purpose
  • our participant groups
  • our coaching ethos
  • professional expectations
  • safeguarding procedures
  • Union Jab session structure
  • communication standards
  • the difference between community and competitive delivery

3. Class observation and assistance

You observe experienced delivery and begin supporting warm-ups, drills, padwork and participant engagement.

4. Supervised coaching

You lead sections of sessions and receive practical feedback.

5. Supervised full delivery

You plan and run complete sessions while being observed or supported by an experienced Union Jab coach.

6. Approved independent coaching

Once signed off, you can begin leading suitable sessions independently.

Ongoing development

Training does not stop once you are approved.

Coaches continue to receive:

  • feedback
  • delivery support
  • session resources
  • technical discussion
  • programme updates
  • safeguarding guidance
  • opportunities to increase responsibility

Progression is based on demonstrated competence, professionalism and reliability rather than simply completing a fixed number of hours.

Ways to work with Union Jab

  • Ad-hoc freelance delivery

    Approved coaches can cover Union Jab sessions at an agreed freelance rate.

    This may include community classes, one-to-one coaching and temporary programme cover.

  • School and organisation programmes

    Approved coaches can deliver structured Union Jab programmes within schools, charities and community organisations.

    This work requires strong communication, professionalism and the ability to adapt delivery while maintaining the Union Jab model.

  • Programme outreach and bookings

    Coaches who are confident meeting decision-makers may also help introduce Union Jab to schools and organisations.

    This can include:

    • presenting the programme
    • discussing participant needs
    • delivering introductory sessions
    • securing letters of intent
    • helping organisations select an appropriate delivery route

    As a trained Union Jab coach you may then also be responsible for the delivery of these sessions, leading to a full self-propagating role of sourcing and running Union Jab Programmes.

  • Establish your own Union Jab class

    Trusted and experienced coaches may be able to establish a Union Jab-branded evening class in another community.

    This would operate through a separate agreement covering:

    • branding
    • safeguarding
    • coaching standards
    • reporting
    • finances
    • equipment
    • quality assurance
    • local delivery responsibilities
Apply to Work with Union Jab

Application section

Could you be a Union Jab coach?

We would like to hear from coaches who care about boxing, people and the communities they work within.

Your application should tell us:

  • Who you are
  • Your boxing background
  • Your coaching experience
  • Your qualifications
  • Your experience working with people or communities
  • Your current availability
  • Where you are based
  • Which types of Union Jab work interest you
  • Why you feel aligned with the Union Jab ethos

Send your CV and a brief introduction to:

contact@unionjab.com

Apply to Work With Us

Frequenty Asked Questions

FAQs

Does Union Jab coach competitive boxing?

No. We teach authentic boxing, but participants are not required to spar or compete. We instead signpost potential competitors to the nearest ABC.

Can I work around another job?

Many opportunities can fit around other employment, particularly evening classes, short programmes and ad-hoc delivery.

Are hours guaranteed?

Freelance hours are not normally guaranteed. Work depends on confirmed programmes, participant demand and available funding.

Does personal development completely replace technical coaching?

No. Good technical coaching is part of the Union Jab service. The difference is that technical improvement exists within a wider focus on confidence, connection, participation and personal growth.

Do I need competitive boxing experience?

Competitive experience is valuable, but it is not the only measure of coaching ability. Applicants must demonstrate genuine boxing understanding and suitable technical competence.

Do I need community or youth-work experience?

It is strongly valued but not always essential. Coaches with the right character may develop these skills through our training pathway.

Do I need experience with neurodivergent participants?

No. You must, however, be patient, adaptable and willing to understand why different participants may require different approaches.

Can I start a Union Jab class in my area?

Potentially. This pathway is available only to approved coaches who have demonstrated the required quality, reliability and alignment with the Union Jab ethos.