Fight Science #2: Boxing, myths and reality building in sport for development programmes.

Fight Science is a new episode format in which you'll get to hear the authors of peer reviewed papers related to martial arts and combat sports explain their papers in a way that you will be able to understand. Each episode will include practical advice you can implement based on the research. This is part of our commitment to bridge the gap between research and practice.

This paper is:

Matthews, C. R., Hurrell, A., Oliver, T. B., & Channon, A. (2023). Boxing, myths and reality building in sport for development programmes. International Review for the Sociology of Sport, 58(3), 531–549. https://doi.org/10.1177/10126902221112878

Georgia speaks with Dr Alex Channon. Alex's research has explored how gender relations, gender identity, and sexuality impact on participation in martial arts; the value of martial arts within physical education curricula; media representations of professional fighters; the construction of meaning around notions of ‘violence’ among martial artists; the provision of medical support in combat sports; the roles of referees in mixed martial arts (MMA) competitions; and the social practice of consent in combat sports.

To get involved with the Conscious Combat Club:

• Visit our site https://www.consciouscombat.club/
• Join the waitlist for Melbourne classes https://www.consciouscombat.club/naarm
• Join our online kickboxing classes https://www.consciouscombat.club/online
• Become a conscious combat coach https://www.consciouscombat.club/coaching
• Join our mailing list "Mat Chat' https://www.consciouscombat.club/mat-chat
• Join our facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/640626287248147

SUPPORT LINKS:

Some listeners might find parts of this conversation distressing. Please take care, link in your support networks, or refer to one of these organizations if you need:

Mental health support: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support

Domestic, family and sexual violence counselling, information and support https://www.1800respect.org.au/

Sexism in sport https://www.respectvictoria.vic.gov.au/

DirectLine (Alcohol & Drug Support) – 1800 888 236 (24/7)

http://www.directline.org.au/

QLife (Queer-Specific Peer Support) – 1800 184 527 (3pm – midnight) – https://qlife.org.au/

Lifeline (Crisis Support & Suicide Prevention) – 13 11 14 (24/7)

http://www.lifeline.org.au/gethelp

Thank you so much to Nari for the beautiful song "Shape Me" heard at the beginning and end of this episode. Nari wrote this song about Shape Your Life, a boxing program for self-identified female survivors of violence in Canada. She wrote this song using the words and experiences shared by participants with Cathy Van Ingen. You can find out more about Shape Your Life in my interview with Cathy in Episode 8. You can hear more of Nari's work by going to her Instagram: @narithesaga