IABA is preparing to tender for the provision of an online system which clubs will use to affiliate, submit competition entries, book courses and other club-related business. IABA intends for any new system to evolve beyond the uses of the current online system.

To ensure that this system is effective for individuals, clubs, county boards, provincial units, IABA invited expressions of interest from members to join the CRM Working Group

The group now includes 5 member representatives with skills and experience in sport administration, CRM platforms and IT/UX. One member representative is from Ulster, 1 is from Munster, 2 are from Leinster and 1 is from Dublin. They are Egidijus Paulikas of D-Box BC; Paul Kelly of St. Michael’s Boxing Club New Ross, Paul Williamson of Ryston Boxing Club; Tara Robins Mari of Nutgrove BC and Billy O Sullivan of Midleton Boxing Club.

This Working Group will:

1. Conduct a SWOT analysis of the existing system
2. Engage in research on CRMs in use in similar or comparable settings
3. Input in to the pre-tender, tender and post-tender processes.
4. Have input in to the implementation and roll-out of any new system

The group held its first meeting on Tuesday, at which an initial scoping work, following engagement on systems used by NGBs in Ireland and abroad their members experience using a variety of CRM products and tools, was presented. A recording of this meeting was made available to any member representatives not in a position to attend.

The group will convene on December 10^th, to review scoping and the material presented, and assign an order of priority for all customizable elements of all of the CRM systems in consideration.

IABA, through Education & Training Officer, Nikki Foley, is conducting a survey of all coaches, to pinpoint the kinds of workshops, seminars and learning opportunities that coaches would most value.

Every coach in your club is invited to take part – the survey is anonymous.

IABA will use the information to design and deliver the kind of development opportunities that coaches share will have the most impact for them in the clubhouse, and covers elements including technical/tactical, S&C, nutrition, mindset supports, periodization, session planning. Coaches are invited to include additional areas in which they feel education/training may benefit them.

The survey is available here https://shout.com/s/yQn9qZZB and will close at 5pm on Wednesday, December 19^th.

IABA notes the sentenced handed down today to former IABA President, Gerry O’Mahony.

As set out in previous statements, Mr. O’Mahony stepped down from all active duties in June 2024, when the IABA became aware of the proceedings.

Sexual assault has no place in our organisation or in society generally. The IABA will not tolerate abuses of any kind.

The IABA encourages anyone impacted to contact safeguarding@iaba.ie, or the statutory or relevant voluntary agencies to seek support:

• The National Rape Crisis Helpline (Ireland) 1800 77 8888
• Domestic & Sexual Abuse Helpline (Northern Ireland) on 0808 802 1414.

The clubs of Connacht Provincial Council have elected an interim President, interim Vice President and Interim Secretary.

The roles became vacant, mid-term, following the resignation of the office-holders.

Following a nomination and election process under the IABA Election Policy, as adopted, Gus Farrell of Monivea BC was been elected Interim President, unopposed. Alan Donnellan of Loughrea BC has been elected Interim Vice President, unopposed and Aoife Hennigan of Swinford BC has been elected Interim Secretary, unopposed.

All three will discharge their duties on an interim basis until Connacht Provincial Council’s AGM in June of 2025.

Electorate: all IABA clubs, successfully affiliated for the 2024/2025 season and based in Connact were eligible to vote.

Voters

Aglish Boxing Club

Ardagh/Crossmolina Boxing Club

Ballinacarrow Boxing Club

Ballinamore Boxing Club

Castlebar Boxing Club

Celtic Eagles Boxing Club

Claremorris Boxing Club

Galway Boxing Club

Gateway Boxing Club

Loughrea Boxing Club

Monivea Boxing Club

Oughterard Boxing Club

Tobair Pheadair Boxing Club

Swinford Boxing Club

University of Galway Boxing Club

IABA’s Diversity, Equality & Inclusion Officer, Patrick Adejayan, has commissioned and is funding, a second round of online Disability Inclusion Training and Autism in Sport training, delivered by Active Disability Ireland. Both courses take place on Zoom, and registration is required.

Register for Disability Inclusion Training on Thursday, December 12^th here: https://shout.com/s/X4dK3I6e

This Disability Inclusion Training workshop is designed to provide participants with the knowledge, skills and ideas on how to adapt and modify your sport, physical activity or physical education sessions to make them more accessible and inclusive for people with disabilities. Attendees will be engaged through interactive group work, theory content and will be introduced to adaptation tools which will be applied to a variety of games and activities on how to make these inclusive for all ability groups. On completion of the workshop all participants will receive an Active Disability Ireland Certificate of Attendance endorsed by Sport Ireland, a resource manual and a games booklet full of fun inclusive activities.

Register for Autism in Sport Training on Friday, December 13^th, here: https://shout.com/s/Gs5tLMpk

This Autism in Sport workshop will provide attendees with an understanding of Autism focusing on the delivery of sport. It will help participants to recognise and understand key areas of difference as well as looking at practical strategies which will help to include people with autism in sport sessions.

Places are limited. If you register for a place on this course and cannot attend, please advise IABA’s DEI Officer, Patrick Adejayan through patrick.ad@iaba.ie so that your place can be offered to an IABA member on the waiting list.