CIARAN KIRWAN ELECTED CHAIRMAN OF IABA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

 

 

Ciaran Kirwan announced as Chairman of the IABA

April 25 – Ciaran Kirwan, pictured above, has been elected Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Irish Athletic Boxing Association Limited (the “IABA”) replacing Joe Christle. Joe has announced his intention to step down having served a 4-year term as Chairman and before that 4 years as a board member.

Christle, a former Irish Senior Heavyweight Boxing champion, has overseen significant changes in the IABA including the adoption of a new Rule Book, achieving a robust governance rating from external stakeholders,  the full implementation of the recommendations of the Review that followed the Rio Olympics, as well the establishment of the new High-Performance Training Centre at the National Sports Campus.

Kirwan has been a Director of the IABA since 2015. He is a qualified solicitor and is Managing Partner of Margetson and Greene solicitors. As a member of the Board, Kirwan has also played a role in the recent changes to the governance of the IABA.

The Board of the IABA is currently comprised of seven individuals, four of whom are elected members nominated from the Central Council of the IABA with the remaining three being independent board members appointed by the outgoing Chairman based on the skills and experience required by the Board. As part of our proposed evolution of the memorandum and articles of association, new members of the board will go through a HR & nominations committee. The committee will  propose new members for election to the membership in line with a skills criteria.

Speaking following his election as Chairman, Ciaran Kirwan said: “It is a huge honour to take over as Chairman of the IABA having been engrossed by the sport since a young age. I do however want to acknowledge the immense contribution that Joe Christle has made to the IABA during his time as Chairperson, sometimes in challenging circumstances whilst also balancing personal and professional demands. A former national champion Joe was driven by a real passion for boxing.

“There is no doubt that both the IABA and the sport of boxing is better for his input. He leaves a lasting legacy and I look forward continuing his efforts, working in partnership with the IABA President, Dominic O’Rourke, Central Council and our CEO, Fergal Carruth and the entire staff, to further build on our legacy as Ireland’s most successful Olympic sport whilst increasing the opportunity for people right around the country to get involved in amateur boxing.”