It has been a fantastic cycle so far for the Boxing Scotland Next & Future Generation pathway squads, with stellar performances across events such as the GB Tri-Nations and international mega events. Scotland welcomed our first ever Schoolgirl European champion when Kara Young took gold in Bosnia, 2024. However, the squad was clearly not about to stop there as Scotland went back-to-back in 2025, with Sinita Kaur (pictured) triumphing for another European Schoolgirl gold medal in Montenegro.
The programme is going from strength to strength in the capable hands of James Paton and Robbie McKechnie, working in partnership with the clubs to develop Scotland’s future.
Boxing Scotland caught up with the coaches, to reflect on another successful year in 2025 and take a look forward to boxing opportunities awaiting throughout the rest of 2026.
ROBBIE MCKECHNIE
How did your own boxing journey lead you into performance coaching?
“I hung up the gloves in February 2022 and was fortunate enough to get asked back into the High Performance to coach a month after.
I was always coaching at my old amateur club out with my own training when I still competed and was always expressing what I thought when I travelled with Scotland so this must have been noticed. I have had a lot of experience competitively and represented Scotland at every age group, so I think it made sense for the natural transition.”
What excites you most about the current generation of young boxers in Scotland?
“The depth of talent Scotland currently has at School, Junior and Youth is probably the best it’s ever been. Records have repeatedly been broken at the GB Championships; we have medaled across all age groups at European championships and are successful at multi-nations and dual matches. I want to see the younger groups grow and have more talent make it onto the squads.”
How do you balance technical development with enjoyment at this stage of the pathway?
I always enjoy coaching, especially with the younger groups as the patter and energy is unmatched. The technical development takes care of itself – if boxers turn up eager to learn, show respect and work hard they will always improve due to the surroundings they’re in. Success breeds success and if these boys/girls are regularly training alongside other international boxers and are being invested in allowing them to compete internationally then they can only get better.
What are you looking forward to in the rest of 2026?
Scotland host this year’s new format of the GB Championships so it will be a statement if we can get another record gold medal tally at that. Of course, the Commonwealth Games are hosted in Glasgow so it will be great for all the younger boxers to watch and/or attend and set their sights reaching the next Games. The Youth Olympics are also being held this year, and we have boxers more than capable of qualifying so I would love to see Scottish boxers there.
JAMES PATON
What are your key highlights from 2025?
“There were many highlights in 2025, from a successful training camp and international dual in France to another strong Tri-Nations campaign across all age groups.
For me personally, the standout moment was seeing three out of four boxers reach the medal stages at the School European Championships. We came away with two bronze medals and one gold, and we were very unfortunate not to make it four out of four.
That achievement really shows the progression Scottish boxing has made over the years. The standard continues to rise, and it’s great to see the hard work paying off on the European stage.”
What does it mean to you to coach for Boxing Scotland’s future?
“Like any athlete or coach, it means a great deal to represent your country. It’s made even more rewarding by the high standard of boxers we currently have coming through the pathway, which is also a credit to the clubs developing them.
There’s a real sense of pride wearing the Scotland attire at championships. You feel a strong sense of achievement, and even more so when the boxers succeed.
I’m grateful that Boxing Scotland trust myself and Robbie to help guide and develop the next generation squads and look after the future of the sport.”
How does the pathway support boxer progression towards elite/senior levels?
“The pathway has been a massive factor in Boxing Scotland’s success over the past eight years. If you look at the five medal winners from the last Commonwealth Games, every one of them had been involved in the pathway from a young age. They had already gained experience at Tri-Nations events, as well as European and World Championships.
When boxers enter the pathway, they are exposed to a high-performance environment and the standards required at international level. Being surrounded by dedicated, high-achieving athletes pushes everyone to raise their level.
They gain valuable experience through training camps, international duals and major competitions. This not only develops them as boxers but also as individuals. The lessons learned in discipline, commitment and mental strength will benefit them well beyond the sport.”
What are you looking forward to in 2026?
“I’ve just completed my first international show that I organised and ran from start to finish, with Scotland hosting Ireland on 7th February at Dalkeith Miners. It was a great experience and gave 16 boxers the opportunity to compete at international level.
I’m hoping to organise more of these events in Scotland this year, along with return trips to the countries we host, so our boxers can gain valuable experience competing abroad.
I’m also looking forward to the Four-Nations and, hopefully, the European Championships later in the year.”
Next up for the boxers will be the newly formatted Four Nations championships, held on home soil in Motherwell from 11th – 14th June. Information on the event will be released via our social media channels in due course.
