Caitlin Parker spars with the next generation of Aussie women boxers

Seanadh McEleney couldn’t believe it. Two-time Olympian and Paris bronze medalist Caitlin Parker had just walked into the AIS Combat Centre to spend time with the next generation of women boxers.

“Honestly, seeing her walk through the door, I was a little bit shocked. I was like, ‘It's really her!’,” the 16-year-old from West Australia, said.

McEleney was one of 31 athletes who attended the four-day National Women’s Development camp recently held in Canberra.

Focused on novice and intermediate boxers who only have a few fights under their belt, the girls came from across Australia, with some as young as 13.

Add in 10 coaches and two officials, and Boxing Australia says it was the largest cohort of women to ever take part.

Boxing Australia CEO Dinah Glykidis said the room was buzzing.

“This is the next generation of boxers coming through and we've got a lot more women out there in the Australian community,” she said.

"To be able to bring so many people here for this opportunity was amazing.” she added.

Boxing Australia used Play Well participation funding to assist with the camp planning, operations and delivery, with hopes it will grow the number of female boxers in the country.

Parker, who won Australia’s first Olympic medal in women’s boxing in Paris was excited to flex her coaching muscle and enjoyed mentoring the up-and-comers.

“When I started, I was the only girl in the gym, I'd always be sparring men and now for these girls to be able to meet each other, connect and hopefully lift each other up is so great to see,” she said.

The opportunity wasn’t lost on McEleney.

“Caitlin coming in and talking to us, giving us all these little tips, answering any questions that we have is just fantastic," she said.

“Being able to actually communicate with someone (like Parker) that a lot of the girls look up to is really amazing.”

Boxers also did strength and conditioning work with the AIS performance team, track work and specific boxing sessions alongside workshops addressing the challenges young athletes face.

Between training sessions the coaches, including Carly Salmon from Victoria, took part in clinics to further their skills.

Salmon says it is incredible to see how much female boxing has grown over the last decade, and after only being coached by men she feels privileged to pass on her knowledge to the next generation.

“Boxing has completely changed my life, I don't think I'd be the person that I am without boxing, I think it's nice to be able to give that back and hopefully give that confidence and possibly change some young girls' lives.”