Our founder, Sarah-Jane Murray has always had a great passion for sport, health and fitness. She has worked and volunteered in sport and inclusion roles for over fifteen years, supporting adults and young people to identify and achieve their health goals. This passion motivated her to work and study in this area. She has a particular interest in helping people to achieve a healthy weight.

Sarah has a deep understanding and lived experience of inclusion in sport. Her own health has driven her to find ways for people of all abilities to engage with physical activity. As a woman in boxing she understands the barriers to participation faced by women in sports that have traditionally been male dominated.

Sarah’s love of boxing began at a young age. Her first memories of the sport are watching a young Mike Tyson annihilate any opponent in his path. A few years later she experienced what she describes as “the greatest era in British Boxing”. The rivalry between Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank made this an exciting time and, with the likes of Steve Collins and Michael Watson in the mix, it was enough to get anyone hooked on the sport.

Some years later Sarah began training with accomplished coach Colin Manners and was preparing to become a competitive boxer. Unfortunately this was not meant to be. Due to the onset of a debilitating medical condition it soon became apparent that she was unable to compete. Sarah decided to turn this disappointment into something positive, finding a different path to stay involved in the sport she loved. From this Unorthobox was born and today many people like Sarah, who would not otherwise be able to participate in boxing, have found their place in the sport through our work.

Colin’s passion is helping other people to keep fit through boxing training and (if they wish) help them progress to competitive boxing. His boxing career began in the early 80’s and he was very successful in the amateur ranks. Colin won the Novice Middleweight Championship and the North Yorkshire and Humberside ABA title.

He states “The amateur experience taught me how to respect myself and other boxers and to make an impact on other young boxing lives”.

After turning professional, Colin learnt that the professional boxing journey is tough and you must have the drive to keep pushing forward in order to succeed. His experiences have helped him to become a well respected boxing coach. He has been teaching boxing skills and fitness to all ages for over twenty years

Dominic has been involved in sport for most of his life although he never had a favourite sport. He was always keen to participate in most sports especially rugby league and football. Dominic played Rugby League for a number of years.

In 2013, complications relating to Type 1 diabetes began affecting his eyesight. After receiving various treatments, medical professionals were able to save a large amount of his vision however a year later Dominic was registered as visually impaired.

He reluctantly retired from playing Rugby League in a mainstream team whilst dealing with his diagnosis. Dominic gained the confidence with the support of family and friends to get fit again. In May 2015, Dominic completed the Leeds half marathon in aid of Action for Blind People. It is only recently that he has gained the confidence to be able to discuss and accept his disability.

Dominic became part of the Unorthobox team as the life events he had experienced made him realise that anything is still achievable. He aims to help everyone he can, involved in any sport to exceed their personal goals

Kira had a glowing amateur career with over 40 bouts, competing for England on multiple occasions.

Kira became four-time Yorkshire Champion, three-time Hull Box Cup Champion and two-time National Junior Champion.

Kira has been volunteering with Unorthobox since 2016 inspiring future champions and boxers with no desire to compete who just love the training.

Kira “The Viper” Carter turned professional in 2020 – we predict lots more belts for The Viper.

Jason began boxing in the early 1980’s at St. Patricks club in Leeds and soon became Yorkshire Schoolboy Champion. After competing for his region he had a break from boxing at age 18. Jason returned to his beloved sport as a senior in his early twenties.

When Jason began his coaching career in 2000 he trained just three carded boxers, within 2-3 years he was training over thirty competitive boxers.

Jason is the Head Boxing Coach at Tigers Amateur Boxing Club and Leeds Beckett University Boxing Team. He also Coaches for England and GB Boxing, and is our Boxing Mentor at Unorthobox.

Jason has been involved in training numerous champions including the only World Amateur Champion from Yorkshire (at the time), Oliver Simpson, Junior National Champion, Kira Carter and Junior ABA Champion (Leeds first male Professional World Champion) Josh Warrington to name but a few.

Paul has always been interested in a variety of sports from basketball to rugby. It was boxing that Paul developed a real passion for. He found it a great way of building confidence and enjoyed the social aspect of the sport. After competing at university level, he started coaching and personal training, incorporating boxing techniques.

He now coaches multiple sports across a wide range of abilities including disability sport.

Paul states “My goal is to share my passion for boxing with others due to its discipline, drive and the massive personal rewards that come with it”.

Jake has always had an interest in sport and fitness and has been Boxing from a young age. He had his first bout at 11 years old and has now had 40 bouts. Jake has competed nationally and represented Yorkshire on many occasions becoming Yorkshire Champion in 2016.

After turning 16, Jake became a Level 1 England boxing coach and began volunteering with Unorthobox in 2016. He has since coached children and adults of all ages and abilities to help promote boxing and share his passion for the sport.

During his time as a student at Leeds Beckett University Jake won gold twice in the British Universities and Colleges Sport Championships (BUCs)

Jake turned professional in 2020. He’s managed by VIP Boxing and training amongst world class boxers, definitely one to watch!