Seventeen-year-old boxing sensation Ruby, from Stalbridge, has been selected from around 1,000 rising stars across more than 60 different sports who have been supported by SportsAid in 2024. She is named among the top 10 finalists for the prestigious One-to-Watch Award, which recognises Britain’s brightest young sporting prospects. Previous winners include Olympic champions Tom Daley and Alex Yee, and Paralympic gold medallist Hollie Arnold.
Ruby, nicknamed the Pocket Rocket, has defied expectations created by her small height and light weight, claiming three European and five national titles, and culminating in her history-making performance at the U19 World Championships.
Ruby says SportsAid’s financial support has been essential to her success:
“Funding my career and travel is probably my biggest challenge,” Ruby said. “The train tickets to Sheffield cost £120 each week, and the kit is expensive too. Without SportsAid’s sponsorship, I wouldn’t be able to travel to Sheffield and get the best training.”
In addition to her boxing career, Ruby works full-time and plays for Shaftesbury Ladies Football Club – though football takes a back seat during major competitions:
“I play football as a hobby, but that fits around boxing – I couldn’t play for 10 weeks before worlds in case I got injured. It’s nice to have that extra fitness and a different side of sport as it’s more running based and reactionary. Boxing and football complement each other really well actually.”
At 17, Ruby has already accomplished so much – and she still has to wait two years before she can represent Great Britain on the international senior stage. She has her sights set on joining the GB Olympic pathway and competing in the Commonwealth Games in 2026 and the LA Olympics in 2028.
