Female Boxing in the RAF

Female Boxing within the ABA (E) is growing continually growing in stature; this is also reflected with the Royal Air Force. The first female boxer to wearing a RAF vest was in May 2005 and was a Corporal Debbie McDonald of 31 Squadron, RAF Marham. She made a small bit of history on when Corporal McDonald became the first female to represent the Royal Air Force at a boxing tournament in the grounds of Oxford University, thus also the very first Female boxer to wear the RAF Vest in an Amateur Boxing Ring.

(Picture courtesy of Eric Sumberg (Oxford University)

The next female to enter the Royal Air Force boxing scene was when SAC Claire Nelson from Scampton was the first female boxer to compete in the Lord Wakefield. This Class C light Welter Weight competition despite being stopped in the second round, proved an interesting introduction to all on female boxing. This was SAC Claire Nelson’s first bout and she was eager for the challenge. Both boxers look confident as they piped into the arena before the roaring crowd. It wasn’t to be unfortunately for the Claire as she was beaten, but she was up against a more experience boxer in Kim Connolly from the local Hanwell Boxing Club who had, had more boxing experience from being the local circuit. But the RAF girl had gained a lot from the experience and later said “despite being frightened, I really enjoyed it and am glad I entered”

The most resent female boxer and still competing is SAC Kerrie Moreland-Francis from RAF Odiham she entered the Lord Wakefield’s Championship this year at lightweight but unfortunately had no opposition for her to box, this didn’t deter her however as she continued training and a few weeks later boxed against a member from the Metropolitan Police Force. Her full story can be viewed here.

Pic from right to left Cpl Curry (Army) with Welterweight World Champion Jane Couch and SAC Moreland-Francis right

So female boxing is still developing with the RAF but it has started with keen and eager boxers. We wlecome and look forward to receiving more female boxers with the RAF, and even if competing is not your thing you will be welcomed into the RAFBA. If you would like any further information please feel free to contact the Webmaster

Female RAF Boxing, does what is say's on the tin