IABA is seeking a talented and ambitious person to lead our National Safeguarding Unit.

The National Safeguarding Manager will be responsible for education and awareness raising of safeguarding matters in over 360 boxing clubs on the island of Ireland, in addition to managing Garda and Access NI vetting applications.

Among the NSM’s duties are:

1. Familiarisation with IABA Safeguarding & Child Protection policy, Children First and Our Duty
   to Care to ensure the successful applicant can act as an information source to other members of the organisation.
2. Circulation of all relevant information and resource materials, on children’s sport to clubs and
   affiliates IABA bodies
3. Become an authorised signatory for all Garda Vetting Applications and ensure that an up to
   date register is maintained at IABA Headquarters which details all Safeguarding/Child
   Protection Training and Garda/Access NI Vetting carried out by the sport
4. Assisting in the development of a system of record keeping (including all Garda & Access NI
   Vetting applications) which maintains confidentiality while allowing for appropriate information
   to be passed to relevant authorities where necessary
5. Manage the running of relevant national safeguarding committees within the IABA
6. Work closely with relevant stakeholders including Sport Ireland and Sport Northern Ireland
7. Work with relevant statutory bodies including An Garda Siochana, PSNI, National Vetting
   Bureau, Access NI, Tulsa and NI social services
8. Communicating with Club Secretaries and Clubs Children’s Officers to ensure the
   communication and implementation of the IABA policy and Safeguarding Procedures for Young
   and Vulnerable members http://iaba.ie/safe-guarding-and-child-protection-section/ and the
   promotion of related education programmes, materials, events and governing body related
   documents
9. To co-ordinate the development of a Safeguarding/Child Protection strategy which is in line with
   best practice, expresses the values and aims of the IABA and develop/maintain such policies and
   procedures as are required to meet current legislative requirements and the needs of the IABA
10. To monitor and feedback on clubs’ implementation of required safeguarding practices
11. To liaise with clubs to ensure drop-out rates and transfers are monitored so that unusual
    developments or trends can be addressed

A full list of role responsibilities and requirements is attached – applications, including CV and cover letter, are invited to hr@iaba.ie by 5pm on September 28th.

Entries, through Blocworx, are now being accepted for the 2023 National Senior Championship.

The closing date for entries and fees is 5pm on Friday, September 29th, and the draw will take place on October 3rd.

Bouts will be boxed on the weekend of October 6th to 8th, and October 20th to 22nd.

Competition Arrangements

Venue:                                    National Stadium, Dublin.

Dates:                                     October 06^th/07^th/08^{th  and} 20^th/21^st/22^nd   

Entries:                                  An entry fee of €20 applies. Online entry, via the Blocworx portal, is open until 5pm sharp, on Friday, September 29^th. Entries will not be accepted without the payment of entry fees. All fees must be paid by 5pm on September 29^th. Only boxers for whom entries have been completed and entry fees have been received will be allowed to box.

Entry Process.                       Affiliated clubs wishing to enter boxers into the championships must log-in to their Blocworx portal, using their unique username and password. Clubs who have not retained their username or password following the completion of their affiliation for the 2023/2024 season can contact IABA staff, Sally Ann Kinch sally@iaba.ie, James Geraghty, james@iaba.ie or Ciara Plunkett, ciara@iaba.ie

Draws:                                    Tuesday, October 3^rd in the National Stadium.

The draw is being conducted on the basis of pre-entry only

Weigh-in:                               Boxers will weigh on each day they box.

Boxing Record books to be presented by the boxer at their initial weigh-in.

Weigh-in Times:                   8.00am – 9.00am & 12.00pm – 1.00pm in the National Stadium.  Finals                         

                                                will be 8.00am – 9.00am

Boxing:                                    Times to be decided after the draw.

Duration:                               Duration of rounds: Men & Women 3×3 Minutes

Weights:        

Men: 46kg-48kg, 51kg, 54kg, 57kg, 60kg, 63.5kg, 67kg, 71kg, 75kg, 80kg, 86kg, 92kg, 92+kg

Women: 45kg-48kg, 50kg, 52kg, 54kg, 57kg, 60kg, 63kg, 66kg, 70kg, 75kg, 81kg, 81+kg.

Age Requirements:  Boxers born between 1983 and 2004 inclusive. Age 19 to 40 years for male & female.

Anti-Doping may be carried out at any stage of the championships and all boxers must advise the doctor of any medication they are taking or have taken in the preceding 4 weeks. It is imperative that all boxers adhere to the Anti-Doping Rules and Regulations. For any queries regarding this matter, boxers/coaches should contact Mr Larry Morrison, IABA Anti-Doping Officer on 086-0292476.

Non-Pregnancy Declaration Forms Female boxers must sign the non-pregnancy declaration form in their record book prior to entry.

Attire: Boxers shall have one red and one blue vest. Women oxers may wear form fitting long-sleeved black top and/or black full length form fitting leggings under their competition kit. Head guards are put on prior to entering the ring. Hair must be tied back and cloth swimming hats or hairnets should be worn under the headgear for boxers with long hair. No red, orange or pink gum shields are allowed. A Boxer can have a beard and moustache, but either must not cover the neck and must not be longer than 10cms, in accordance with the IBA Technical and Competition Rule 4.2.5.2.2.

Coaches: They must wear full track suitsandrunners at all sessions in the corner and endeavour to set a high standard of hygiene in the corners. No shorts, caps or hats are permitted.  

Waiver: It is a condition of entry that all boxers and their clubs have signed and submitted the Members Acknowledgement Form.

Sportsmanship: No official, Referee/Judge should be subjected to abuse by coaches, families or spectators regarding decisions. All our officials are volunteers and any actions taken by coaches, clubs, families or spectators against officials, Referee/Judge will be dealt with by the disciplinary committee and Central Council. All decisions must be accepted in a sporting manner. Any complaints must be addressed to the Chief Official, Mr. Philip Rooney. Please show respect to all Ringside Officials and National Stadium staff

Yours in Sport,

Antoinette McClean

Hon. National Secretary IABA.

The IABA Ulster Branch is seeking dynamic individuals to join our team as Boxing Coaches to work part time hours, delivering high quality non-contact boxing sessions within schools in different locations across Northern Ireland (Derry/Londonderry, Strabane & Tyrone).

The aim of the coach is to create and sustain links between schools and clubs, introduce non-contact boxing sessions to schools and children that will be new to the sport. 

The role contains significant engagement element, strengthening communication pathways and creating sustaining links between schools and clubs, coaches and volunteers.

We are seeking a dynamic, driven and motivated person to join our team. The person will be highly organised with the ability to multi-task and manage their time in the most efficient way possible. You will also have a high level of verbal and written communication skills.

This post is an initial Fixed Term Contract, subject to continuation of funding.

Applications are invited to hr@iaba.ie until 5pm on Sunday, September 17th.

IABA is an equal opportunities employer.

Role decription:

After 81 spars, 18 boxing sessions, 9 track sessions and 8 S&C sessions, the first High Performance super camp of this scale in 7 years has drawn to a close.

Three High Performance Teams – Team Emerald, Team Harp and Team Shamrock trained alongside Ukraine’s National Olympic Team at the High Performance Unit at Sport Institute Ireland on the Sport Ireland campus. This is the largest cohort of Irish Elite athletes to attend a home High-Performance training camp on the Sport Ireland campus. In all, 39 Elite Irish boxers participated, including Paris qualified boxers Kellie Harrington, Aoife O’Rourke, Michaela Walsh, Dean Clancy and Jack Marley.

Ukraine’s team is comprised of its national Olympic Squad:

“This camp is a keynote step on the road to Paris 2024. We’re delighted to welcome a team of Ukraine’s caliber and to be in a position to include 39 of Ireland’s highest-potential boxers in this super camp – the first of this size to be held in the High Performance Unit since 2016. This camp was designed to be multi-faceted, providing learning and development opportunities for boxers, coaches, HP staff and our Sport Science colleagues at Sport Institute Ireland.   We’re grateful for the resources and support provided by both Sport Ireland and the Olympic Federation of Ireland in hosting this camp, which, we hope, will be the first of many. The facilities available to boxers on the Sport Ireland campus are superb, including the National Indoor Arena, and we’ll maximise their use as we prepare for Paris. Ireland is a world-leader in boxing and is beginning its evolution into a world leader in High Performance ethos and practice.”

Interim High Performance Director, Tricia Heberle

The super-camp provided an opportunity for learning inside and outside the ring, for boxers, coaches and HP staff.  This included tailored Sports Psychology workshops for each team, delivered by Richard Shanahan, Physiology seminars, delivered by Boxing HOPS Lead, physiologist, Paula Fitzpatrick, and Immunity & Health practical workshops by Dietician Grainne O’Higgins.  Athletes participating in the Olympic Federation of Ireland funded IABA-Sport Institute Ireland Menstrual Cycle Project also received one-to-ones.

Team Ireland Chef de Mission, Gavin Noble, also gave a presentation to Teams Emerald, Shamrock and Harp on preparations for Paris 2024.

Additionally, High Performance Paris 2024 Pool Coaching coaches at the super camp received a series of short form technical seminars from Head Coach, Zauri Antia and Coach, Damian Kennedy. The High Performance Paris 2024 pool coaches who assisted at the camp were: Saidhbh Greene, Ross Hickey, Damien McKenna, Aoife Hennigan, John Gallagher, Lynne McEnery, Rory McShane, Amanda Spencer, Ralph McKay, Liam Cunningham, Maria O’Brien, Paul Simpson, Philip Keogh, Ger McDaid, James Doyle, Igor Khmil and Noel Burke.

“All boxers committed fully to learning in this camp. and every boxer showed learning and development. There were many excellent spars as we prepare for Paris and. I would like to congratulate all boxers and coaches on a fantastic camp, where the positivity created a sustainable high performance training environment. Thank you to Sport Ireland and the Olympic Federation of Ireland for their support.”

Head Coach, Zauri Antia

High Performance is grateful to Dr. Bobby Scully, Team Ukraine’s Dr Maksym Maslyanyy, Code Blue’s Dr. Ronan O’Moore Farrell and the medical staff of Sport Institute Ireland for providing medical cover and support during all sparring sessions, all school combat sessions and all school of boxing sessions. HP would also like to acknowledge the significant contribution to boxer welfare made, not during this camp, but in the daily training environment by Physiotherapists, Lorcan McGee, Rob Twomey and Sport Institute Ireland’s Ciara McCallion.

Today, the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr. Daithi de Roiste, hosted a reception for Team Ukraine, Team Ireland Head Coach, Zauri Antia, and Olympic Champion and Paris Olympian, Kellie Harrington

IABA and the High Performance Unit gratefully acknowledges the resources and support provided by Sport Ireland, the Olympic Federation of Ireland and in particular, the staff of Sport Institute Ireland.

The High Performance Unit’s next competitive event is contesting the Leszek Drogosz Memorial International Tournament in Poland, from September 17th to 24th.

Four Team Ireland boxers will come home with gold, following today’s Silesian Box Cup finals in Poland

Team Captain 50kg Katie O’Keeffe (Kanturk) made her tournament debut with a straight final against Poland’s Martyna Koczkodaj in bout 4, and was decisive in her win. Likewise, 54kg Niamh Keogh (Olympic Mullingar), who had a straight final against Norway’s Didrik Kaur. 57kg Natalia Fascizewska (Castlebar) boxed for gold against Poland’s Anna Sobczynska and came away with the top prize. 66kg Gabrielle Mongan (Whitechurch) contested her final against Aleksandra Cyrek and brings home gold.

While 63kg Rebecca Kavanagh (Mulhuddart) and 81+kg Cliona D’Arcy (Tobar Pheadair) will both come home with bronze medals.

Team Ireland:

50kg    Katie O’Keeffe (Kanturk)

54kg    Niamh Keogh (Olympic Mullingar)

57kg   Natalia Fascizewska (Castlebar)

63kg   Rebecca Kavanagh (Mulhuddart)

66kg   Gabrielle Mongan (Whitechurch)

70kg    Nell McLaughlin (Eagle)

81+kg Cliona D’Arcy (Tobar Pheadair)

Team Manager/Coach: Jennifer O’Sullivan-Coffey

Coach: Liam Cunningham

R&J: Chris McCrory.

Draws are available here

Day One results are here

Day Two results are here

Day Three results are here