Why We Don’t Use Grading Systems at Geelong Boxing Club (and Why It Works Better for Your Kids)

At Geelong Boxing Club, you might notice something different about how we run our kids’ and teens’ programs.

There are no badges to earn. No belts to move through. No public charts tracking who’s “ahead.”

And that’s on purpose.

Instead of a fixed grading or attainment structure, we use what’s called intermittent reinforcement which are random, meaningful moments of recognition that are given when they matter most, not just when they’re expected.

This approach might look less structured on the surface, but underneath, it’s grounded in what neuroscience and addiction research tell us about how motivation actually works in the brain.

Here’s what we know:

The brain's reward system is driven by dopamine, a chemical released when we experience something pleasurable or rewarding. But dopamine spikes most when rewards are unpredictable, when we might get noticed, praised, or rewarded, but we’re not sure exactly when or how. This is what keeps people glued to video games or endlessly scrolling online.

We use that same science for good.

When a child receives a surprise shoutout, a small prize, or even a quiet “I saw your effort today”, it lands deeply. It tells them: “You matter, even when you’re not performing. You’re seen, even when you’re not trying to stand out.”

These kinds of moments are powerful, especially for kids and teens who:

• struggle with confidence or emotional regulation

• have experienced trauma or rejection

• have learned to tie their worth to achievement or external validation

In contrast, traditional grading systems can actually reduce motivation over time. When kids work hard and don’t “level up,” they can feel defeated. And when rewards become too predictable, the brain simply stops responding as strongly. The result? Disengagement, resentment, or worse.. confirmation of the belief that they’re not good enough.

What we’re doing instead:

In our programs, we focus on effort, presence, and personal growth, not performance alone. We intentionally keep our rewards and recognition unpredictable so they continue to have an impact. We celebrate consistency, bravery, kindness, and perseverance, not just skill or speed.

This method helps:

• Sustain motivation

• Build resilience

• Encourage intrinsic drive

• Teach that showing up matters, even when no one’s watching

It also mirrors real life. Because life doesn’t hand out gold stars for every good decision, and our kids deserve to learn that doing the right thing is still worth it.

We want our programs to grow strong kids..not just physically, but emotionally and mentally. And that means shaping experiences that build self worth from the inside out.

Thanks for trusting us to be part of that process.


About the Author
Lena Moxon is the Director of Geelong Boxing Club and the founder of Beyond Boxing, a program designed to support emotional regulation and resilience in young people through movement based learning. She holds a Bachelor of Education and a Graduate Certificate in Child and Adolescent Mental Health. With over 15 years of experience working with children and teens, Lena combines evidence based practice with trauma informed care to create safe, engaging spaces where young people can thrive physically, emotionally, and socially.