Fight for Peace is a non-Governmental organisation, founded by Luke Dowdney, which combines boxing and martial arts with education and personal development in communities affected by crime and violence.

Aimed at encouraging inspirational exchanges between Olympians, athletes, coaches and the young people at Fight for Peace, the partnership will see the BOA provide expertise and counsel for the charity's staff in the development of a sport performance programme, supported by Team GB and its sporting partners.

The BOA will work with Fight for Peace to facilitate visits from Team GB athletes and training workshops for coaches at the charity's academies in London and Rio de Janeiro.

In return, Fight for Peace will support the BOA's marketing campaign in the run up to Rio 2016 as they begin to build support for Team GB in the United Kingdom and the host city. 

The announcement was made following a sport performance workshop in Rio, attended by Matt Holt, chief executive of the British Amateur Boxing Association, Gary Henderson, performance operations manager at British Judo, and Bill Sweeney, chief executive of the BOA.

"The BOA and Fight for Peace share a core belief - that sport can transform lives," said Sweeney.

"This partnership will enable us to share expertise and resources, helping Fight for Peace to continue their great work and helping us to have a presence and voice in Rio as we prepare for the Games.

"We are looking forward to working with Luke and his team to ensure that Team GB has a positive impact in Rio and Brazil in the run up to, during and after the Rio 2016 Olympic Games."

Fight for Peace members in action ©BOA



Both organisations will also adopt a collaborative approach with the BOA's youth engagement programme, Get Set, encouraging healthy, active lifestyles, communicating the Olympic values and sharing content about preparations and plans for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

"It is an honour and pleasure to be working with the British Olympic Association," said Dowdney.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for us to have access to the expertise and talent within the organisation and we are really excited about the opportunities ahead.

"We believe that this partnership will add real value to the work that we already do at Fight for Peace as it will help to drive awareness of the charity and also help to improve our sport performance programme which plays a vital part in attracting young people to our academies and away from an alternative life of crime and violence."

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