World champion, Aoife O’Rourke and World bronze medalist Patsy Joyce have been nominated for Olympic Sport Awards – and today is the last day to vote HERE

Aoife, of Castlerea BC, is a double Olympian and four time continental champion – she was nominated following her winning of World silver in March, and World gold at the inaugural World Boxing Championships in Liverpool in September. On her journey in to the annals of Irish boxing lore in Liverpool, Aoife defeated Norway’s Sunniva Hofstad, the only boxer in the world this year to have won gold at every World Boxing Cup. She has been shortlisted alongside Fiona Mutagh (Rowing), Kate O’Connor (Athletics) and Lara Gillespie (Cycling)

Patsy, who at 19 was one of the youngest members of Team Ireland in Liverpool, was nominated in recognition of his bronze medal. He slayed giants and built his reputation and that of Irish boxing in each of his bouts: His first win was over Jaeyong Shin of Korea. In his second win, Patsy took on second over Cuban-born Bulgarian Olympian and World and European medalist, Javier Ibanez Diaz, a skilled and experienced operator 10 years his senior. For his quarter final, he was the victor over Uzbekistan’s Mirazizbek Mirzakhalilov – an Asian champion and World Boxing Cup medalist, a veteran 11 years his senior. In his semi-final, Patsy came agonizingly close to silver. He contested against Spain’s Rafael Serrano Lozano, a Paris Olympian, in an incredibly close bout, in skill and score, losing out on the narrowest of margins, a 3-2 split. He is on a shortlist which includes Eve McMahon (Sailing) and John Shortt (Swimming)

These awards are decided by public vote – and you can vote for Aoife and Patsy here. Voting will close on November 14th.

The awards will be bestowed at a gala event on December 6th, an will shine a spotlight on those who have inspired the nation while also recognising the unseen commitment, sacrifice, and excellence that underpin every performance.

The President’s Award will be presented at the discretion of OFI President Lochlann Walsh, recognising an exceptional contribution or service to Irish Olympic sport.

150 women and girls are being activated in to boxing as part in Ulster IABA’s Women’s Start Here Programme, funded by the Rank Foundation.

10 clubs in Antrim, Armagh, Derry, Down and Tyrone are delivering this training in a programme which began in October, and will conclude at the end of this month.

This programme follows on the heels of the Belfast Boxing Development project which delivered boxing training to 250 people over the age of 55, through an Irish Athletic Boxing Association programme funded by the Public Health Agency in partnership with Belfast City Council.

14 clubs took part in two programmes from July to October; the second was commissioned by Belfast City Council in response to the success of the first phase. Several participating clubs have now included these Over 55s training sessions in their permanent timetable.. 

Participating Clubs

Antrim Boxing Club, Antrim

Ardoyne Boxing Club, Antrim

Cairn Lodge Boxing Club, Antrim

Carrickfergus Boxing Club, Antrim

Castle Boxing Club, Antrim

Craigavon City Boxing Club, Armagh

Dungannon Boxing Club, Tyrone

Holy Trinity Boxing Club, Antrim

Oak Leaf Boxing Club, Derry

St. John Bosco Boxing Club, Newry Co. Down

The Irish Athletic Boxing Association wants to centre the voices of leaders of the future in the development of our sport, and is creating an IABA Youth Forum, for boxers aged 15 to 23.

This Youth Forum is a key part of our 2024-2028 Strategic Plan, In Your Corner, and is part of a series of member events built on collaboration, openness and transparency, including the Club Forum on November 15^th and the Boxing Forum in January.

This Forum will meet four times a year, and will discuss and make recommendations on matters including:

• Why young athletes leave boxing and how best to retain them
• What changes would you like to see in our sport at club level?
• What changes would you like to see in our sport at national level?
• Competitions: are there enough competitions for your age & weight?
• How should IABA promote & platform younger athletes?
• The boxing pathway for young athletes
• The coaching pathway for young athletes
• The volunteer pathway for young athletes

Expression of Interest

Expressions of interest are welcome from all boxers aged 15 to 23 in the year of birth who are members of successfully affiliated clubs registered in their club’s Blocworx portal.

Boxers are invited to put themselves forward HERE https://shout.com/s/oMooRYoc

• The Expression of Interest window will remain open until midnight on November 30^th
• Contact will be made with all those who completed an EOI in the period December 1^st-7^th.
• An introductory Zoom meeting will take place at 6pm on Friday, December 19^th.
• The first meeting of the Youth Forum will take place on Saturday, January 24^th at XX location.

For any queries, please contact National Development Manager James Geraghty via james@iaba.ie

Entries are now being accepted, through clubs’ Blocworx portals, for the 2025 National Intermediate Championships, and close on Friday, November 14th at 5pm.

The championships is open to boxers born 1985 to 2006, inclusive. The draw will take place on Tuesday November 18th.

Boxing will take place in Holy Family BC Drogheda on November 21st, 22nd and 23rd. Boxing will take place in the National Stadium, Dublin, November 28th-30th.

Please note that boxers who have competed in an Elite Championships, excluding the Elite Competition staged in Belfast in June of this year, are not eligible to box in the National Intermediate Championships.

Competition Arrangements

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2025 Volunteers in Sport Awards, a national celebration of the extraordinary individuals who contribute to the vibrant fabric of Irish sports.

2024 awards were bestowed upon Paddy Joe of Star BC Belfast as the Antrim winner, Brian McKeown of Cavan BC as the Cavan winner, Myles Cresham of Castlebar BC as Mayo’s Volunteer of the Year and Lynda McGrath of Tralee BC was the Kerry winner. 

Hosted by the Federation of Irish Sport and supported by the Sport Ireland National Network of 29 Local Sports Partnerships these prestigious awards recognise the selfless volunteers who dedicate their time, skills, and passion to support sports clubs and community organisations across Ireland. 

The 2025 Volunteers in Sport Awards will bring together individuals from all 32 counties to celebrate their commitment to fostering participation and ensuring that sport is accessible to all.

Their contributions not only inspire communities but also enable clubs and organisations to thrive, supporting social cohesion and well-being across Ireland. Without their dedication, many sporting opportunities simply would not exist. 

A new addition to the 2025 awards is the launch of a brand-new award – the Club/Community Sport Organisation Award. This award recognises a volunteer led sports club, community organisation, or group that has made an outstanding contribution to promoting sport, physical activity, and community well-being. It celebrates excellence in inclusion, participation, leadership, and positive impact through sport.

There are also two closed categories of Outstanding Achievement Award and the addition of a Lifetime Achievement Award. These prestigious awards are not open for public nomination. Recipients are selected by the Judging Panel from entries received from the County Volunteers, based on outstanding merit, impact, or long-term contribution.

Nominations are open until December 15^th. The awards celebration will take place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Blanchardstown in Dublin on 26^th February 2026. 

To submit a nomination, visit www.volunteersinsport.ie