As National Secretary, I want to wish all the women in clubs throughout the association a happy International Women’s Day.
The IABA was formed in 1911, just over a year and half ago, I made boxing history outside the ring by becoming the first woman to be elected as National Secretary onto the Officer Board. In 2017, I earned the 2 Star International Coaching badge from the IBA and still currently the only woman in Ireland to hold this level. This, I hope, will be something that will change soon.
My journey started with coaching the underage kids in my local boxing club. Over 20 years involved in our sport and the changes I have witnessed has been enormous. Back then, never could I have imagined that we as a sport would have women in leadership roles throughout the country in boxing.
From Administrators, Coaching, Referee/Judges, Boxers, we as a sporting body have women representing boxing at all levels. This includes the Central Council with two female elected members, Mrs. Linda Morgan and Mrs. Anna Moore. Ms. Fiona Hennigan sits on the Board of Directors and a woman, Ms Tricia Heberle, now leads our High Performance Unit and Elite Teams to success.
Irish boxing has grown from strength to strength over the years and this is because of the contribution that we, as women in boxing, have brought to the sport. Our sport is stronger because of you and I am very proud to play a small part in its success.
So, to all the women in clubs across this great island of ours, Happy International Women’s Day and thank you for your hard work in promoting the sport we love, the sport of boxing.
Women in Sport Week Events.
IABA’s Women in Sport Lead, Sophie Doolan, has developed a series of events in line with Sport Ireland’s WIS week pillars, including:
March 4th: High Performance – profiling some of the key women in High Performance Boxing
March 5th: Visibility – IABA will launch Phase Two of the Ringcraft programme on Tuesday.
March 6th – IABA will replatfom to clubs the keynote advice development by the Women in Leadership Group in 2022 to assist clubs in supporting women and girls in our sport.
March 7th – Coaching & Officiating. IABA has asked clubs to contribute to the highlighting of women coaches and officials in their club.
March 8th – International Women’s Day
*IABA’s National Secretary will share a keynote message with women of Irish Boxing
*IABA’s brand new Youth Leadership programme will open to expressions of interest from young women
*IABA Ulster will host a Try It! day for primary and secondary school students in Belfast.