Two Oxford boxing coaches are being celebrated in a national Women in Coaching series by UK Coaching and England Boxing for breaking down barriers and transforming lives through sport.
Suzanne Vjestica-Brown, 42, a coach at Blackbird Leys Boxing Club, has been highlighted for her resilience, leadership and commitment to community coaching. Oxford born and bred, Suzanne first discovered boxing after trying athletics and taekwondo, before finding her passion for coaching in her late 30s.
After being invited to coach at the University of Oxford, Suzanne secured her qualifications and became the institution’s first female boxing coach in its 142-year history.
“It was amazing because it’s an iconic institution and I’m Oxford born and bred,” she said. “I started with girls who had never boxed, so I was passionate about driving through boxing’s fundamentals.”
Following a year co-running a club in South Moreton, Suzanne was diagnosed with breast cancer. Although she initially stepped away, she soon returned to coaching, joining Blackbird Leys Boxing Club — where she again made history as the club’s first-ever female coach.
“I’ve been opening up doors behind me, so now someone will have the opportunity in the future to follow my path and break down barriers,” she said.
Suzanne has now completed her breast cancer treatment and is in the preventative stage. Remarkably, she returned to coaching just days after surgery, describing her fellow coaches and athletes as her “second family”.
A passionate advocate for the wider social impact of coaching, Suzanne believes boxing can improve mental health, build confidence and create safe, supportive spaces for growth.
Despite entering a traditionally male-dominated sport, she credits the supportive environment around her and encourages other women to be fearless.
“My experience highlights the need for female coaches to be fearless and put themselves out there,” she said. “I’m not here to make up a diversity platform. I’m here because I’m a coach in my own right.”
The series also features Harriet Brennan, co-owner of Brennan’s Gym in Oxford and founder of a successful online personal training business. Harriet’s journey into coaching followed a deeply personal battle with alcoholism that, a decade ago, saw her lose her driving licence, give up boxing and struggle with her confidence.
At the time, coaching was the last thing on her mind. “I thought ‘why would you spend all your time helping someone else do something that you could do’,” she admitted.
Everything changed after moving gyms and meeting her future husband, Tom. Within five months of purchasing the gym together, Harriet was sober and had discovered a new purpose through coaching.
“It gave me some self-worth and importance that I didn’t have before,” she said. “When you see that, you suddenly realise you can help others.”
Now leading six evening sessions a week, Harriet mentors people facing challenges including addiction, bullying and confidence issues.
“Boxing attracts a specific crowd of people and normally they’re battling something,” she explained. “We invite them in for one-on-one sessions and offer them jobs, allowing them to be an integral part of the community.”
Despite being the only woman in many sessions, Harriet says confidence has been key. “I’ll be the only woman there and every man will do exactly what I ask. They never talk back.”
Both coaches’ stories come at a time when new data from UK Coaching’s Coaching in the UK Report shows the proportion of female coaches has fallen from 44% in 2022 to 38% in 2024, despite women making up 51% of the UK population.
In response, UK Coaching is developing a Gender Impact Strategy to promote equity, inclusion and long-term systemic change across coaching environments.
Harriet’s advice to women considering coaching is simple: “Believe in yourself — all the things you’re scared of are the things that set you free.”
UK Coaching and England Boxing say the Women in Coaching series aims to spotlight the unsung heroes who are building stronger clubs, communities and futures through sport.
