Brighton graduate opens boxing club supporting local community and youth engagement

Combining her passion for boxing with the business skills gained during her degree at the University of Brighton, and support from beepurple – the University’s student enterprise service offering guidance and mentoring – Lisa co-founded the club as a community-focused venture.

Based in Burgess Hill, South Downs Amateur Boxing Club delivers sessions for a diverse range of participants, including children as young as five, teenagers, women-only groups, and individuals living with Parkinson’s.

Through a partnership with Burgess Hill Police, the club is also supporting the Reboot scheme, an early intervention initiative that works with young people to provide structured activities, mentoring, and positive engagement, with the aim of reducing the risk of reoffending and encouraging constructive pathways.

The club has been established with the aim of making boxing accessible to everyone, from beginners to aspiring amateur boxers, while fostering a sense of community, improving wellbeing, and supporting positive engagement among local residents.

Lisa Houston, who graduated from the University of Brighton’s School of Business and Law in 2026 with a BSc in Accounting and Finance, co-founded the club with Shaun Stepney, an experienced coach. Together, they are both England Boxing Level 2 coaches with more than 20 years of combined amateur boxing experience.

Lisa said: “Boxing has always been a huge part of my life, and creating this club was about more than just the sport. We wanted to build something that gives back to the community and provides a space where people feel supported, regardless of their background or ability.”

Lisa credits her time at the University of Brighton with helping to develop the confidence, organisation, and leadership skills needed to establish and run a business. Opportunities to apply her learning, collaborate with others, and take on responsibility during her studies all contributed to her readiness to move into entrepreneurship.

She added: “My time at the University of Brighton gave me the confidence to take on something like this. Balancing my studies with competition and training taught me discipline and time management, and those experiences played a big role in shaping how I approached setting up the club.”

After completing her final exams, Lisa engaged with enterprise support through the University’s Student Enterprise team, beepurple. The team supports students and graduates interested in starting a business, offering workshops, one-to-one advice and practical guidance. Lisa credits the programme with helping translate an initial idea into a structured and viable business.

The team also offers ongoing support to alumni. Graduates can access one-to-one startup advice, delivered either in person or online, for life. They are also able to attend startup workshops and courses hosted on campus, all free of charge.

In addition, the team regularly provides grant opportunities that alumni can apply for. While eligibility criteria may vary each year, these opportunities are often available to graduates within two years of completing their studies.

Lisa said: “The support I received through Startup Hive, the student enterprise business summer school, was invaluable. It helped me understand the practical steps involved in starting a business and gave me the confidence to move forward with the project. Being able to connect with others on a similar journey made a real difference.”

Helen Carley, Entrepreneurship Advice Manager, Student Enterprise, at the University of Brighton, said: “Supporting students and graduates to explore entrepreneurship is a huge part of what we do at Brighton. It’s inspiring to see ideas developed through our programmes go on to become community-focused ventures like South Downs Amateur Boxing Club, which not only provide opportunity but also have a positive local impact.”

Lisa encourages current students to make the most of opportunities available during their time at university, highlighting the value of gaining experience beyond the classroom.

She said: “Getting involved in different activities, building your skills, and putting yourself out there really helps prepare you for what comes next. The more experience you can gain alongside your studies, the more confident and capable you will feel when it comes to starting something of your own.”

South Downs Amateur Boxing Club was formally established in June 2025 and opened to the public in September, operating as a local hub for community participation in sport. Alongside its regular sessions, the club is focused on delivering wider social value, supporting improved mental and physical wellbeing, and creating opportunities for individuals who may benefit from additional support or structured activity.

The club is also in the process of raising funds to support its continued development, with a crowdfunding initiative aimed at covering essential equipment, operational costs, and setup expenses, while also contributing towards match-funding opportunities linked to external partners such as Sport England.

Clare Griffiths, Business Development Manager, Student Enterprise, at the University of Brighton, said: “Lisa’s journey is a great example of how students and graduates can make use of their time at university, alongside the support available to them, to turn ideas into real-world ventures that have a positive impact in their communities.”