You have chosen a class. Now you are looking at your child’s PE kit and wondering whether you need a uniform, a belt or a pair of boxing gloves before you even get through the door.
Keep the first visit simple. Your child needs to be comfortable enough to join in, and you need clear instructions about the session you have booked. The shopping can wait until you know what is actually required.
Choose clothes your child can move in
A familiar T-shirt with comfortable sports trousers, leggings or shorts is a practical starting point. Check the fit rather than the brand. Can your child bend their knees, lift their arms and sit down without having to pull the clothing back into place?
Try that at home before putting the kit in the bag. If trousers drag under their feet or a waistband keeps slipping, choose something else. An outfit that needs constant adjusting gives a beginner one more thing to think about.
The MACE Dragons guidance says comfortable sports clothes are fine for the first session. The Cadets programme also asks beginners to arrive in comfortable training clothes. You can check any specific requirements with the team when arranging the visit.
Check footwear before stepping onto the mats
Bring suitable shoes for the journey, then follow the coach’s guidance for the training area. Our Dragons page says trainers are not usually needed on the mats. That does not establish one footwear rule for every activity at the academy.
If you are unsure about bare feet, socks or indoor trainers, ask about the exact session your child is attending. The same applies if your child wears something they cannot easily remove or needs an adjustment to take part comfortably.
A useful booking message is: “It is our first visit. What should they wear on their feet, and is there anything about their clothing I should check?” Getting that answer beforehand saves a last-minute guess in reception.
Bring water and leave specialist purchases until you have advice
Put a filled water bottle in the bag, with your child’s name on it so it is easy to recognise. If you are coming from school, pack the sports clothes separately and confirm where your child can change. Do not build your plan around facilities you have not checked.
For Kids Boxing, MACE’s published first-class advice is clear: your child does not need to buy gloves before the first session. The team can guide you on equipment afterwards.
Once your child has tried the programme, ask what kit they would need to continue, which items come first and what the costs are. Confirm sizing and any academy requirements before ordering. A glove or uniform advertised as “children’s” online does not tell you whether it is the right choice for that class.
There is no need to arrive with a bag full of equipment to show that you are taking the trial seriously. Arriving prepared means knowing the instructions and giving your child time to settle.
Prepare the visit as well as the kit bag
The NSPCC’s Child Protection in Sport Unit recommends helping children prepare their kit and drinks, being on time and listening to how they feel about their activity. Its guidance for sports parents is a useful reminder that practical support matters alongside encouragement.
Before the visit, confirm:
- The session: which programme your child is booked into, the start time and when the team wants you to arrive.
- The kit: clothing, footwear and anything specific the coach has asked you to bring.
- The parent arrangements: where you should be during the lesson and how arrival and collection work.
- Anything the coach should know: concerns or practical needs that would help them welcome your child.
Tell your child something simple: “We are going to meet the coach and try a few new things.” They do not need a long briefing about belts, behaviour or being the best in the room.
If their main concern is joining an unfamiliar group, our guide to martial arts for a shy child covers that question in more detail.
Plan your first visit to MACE in West Bromwich
The academy is at Unit 1 Queens Court, Greets Green Road, West Bromwich, West Midlands, B70 9EG. Check the West Bromwich location page before setting off, especially if you are fitting the visit around school collection in Oldbury, Tipton or elsewhere in Sandwell.
MACE’s published programme ranges include Dragons for ages 4–7 and Cadets for ages 8–12, alongside Kids Boxing. Tell the team your child’s age and what they would like to try so they can help you choose the session.
Claim a Free VIP Pass and use the booking conversation to settle the small questions: what to wear, when to arrive and what happens when you get there.
Pack the comfortable clothes, fill the bottle and follow the team’s instructions. Your child’s job on the first visit is to have a go. The coach is there to help them begin.