As a youngster Tom Goodwin was a fine all-round sportsman. A keen rower, he was a member of the City of London Rowing Club, along with his father Thomas “T. J” and brother Albert. Tom was an excellent sculler and won the Junior and Senior Sculls at the River Lea Championships. Goodwin was also a very good standard amateur boxer and was a member, and secretary, of the Central Markets ABC. He was also at one time the vice-captain of the Spartans Boxing Club and, as a member of the Columbia Boxing Club, played a big part in helping them become one of the best boxing clubs in the country. Goodwin was a member of the Amateur Boxing Association (ABA) for the 18 years prior to his death and served on various sub-committees. Additionally, he was an honorary auditor for the Association. Goodwin was also regarded as one of their best boxing judges in Britain and regularly officiated at their national Championships. At the 1908 London Olympics, he acted as judge in just one match, the John Douglas – Snowy Baker middleweight final. By profession, Goodwin was a clerk at a saw mill.
Great Britain