IABA’s March Safeguarding courses are now available for booking, following provision of Safeguarding learning online and in person in January and February
In 2025, IABA is delivering 12 Safeguarding One courses, 4 Safeguarding Two courses and a minimum of 1 Safeguarding Three course.
IABA is also open, on request, to providing Safeguarding One and/or Safeguarding Two learning in person, at a county board or provincial unit level. County Boards and Provinical Units who wish to commission in-person delivery of this learning are invited to make contact with IABA National Safeguarding Manager, Stephen Flynn, via stephen@iaba.ie
Safeguarding One
All adults – coaches, committee members & non-coaching volunteers – in every club who have contact with children are required to have undertaken Safeguarding 1.
In keeping with Sport Ireland best practice in Safeguarding training, workshops will be limited to 16 participants. In keeping with norms across the sporting community, the cost for this workshop is E20.
The aim of this workshop is to help the Club Children’s Officer to carry out their role and support the implementation of best practice in the club. Participants will also receive a Club Children’s Officer Action Planning document as part of the training.
In keeping with Sport Ireland best practice in Safeguarding training, workshops will be limited to 16 participants. In keeping with norms across the sporting community, the cost for this workshop is E20.
A person appointed to the Designated Liaison Person position in a club must firstly complete the Safeguarding One Workshop and should complete the SG3 training. A club may appoint the same person to both the CCO and DLP positions however best practice advises that they are kept as separate roles.
In keeping with Sport Ireland best practice in Safeguarding training, workshops will be limited to 16 participants. In keeping with norms across the sporting community, the cost for this workshop is E20.
Quarter
Date/Time
Delivery
Quarter 1-Feburary
TBC
Online
In 2024, IABA delivered 14 Safeguarding 1 basic awareness courses, online and in person, providing this vital learning to 207 coaches and club administrators. IABA also delivered two Safeguarding Two courses to 28 Club Children’s Officers.
It was a tough day at the office for Team Ireland at the 2025 Women’s World Championships in Nis, Serbia, today.
48kg Carleigh Irving was the first Team Ireland boxer in action – the 19 year old European U23 silver medalist faced 30 year old Tayonis Cendeno Rojas of Venezuela. Those extra years on the road made the difference – Carleigh’s talent were eviden, tbut experience won out on a UD. Judges scores are here
54kg Paris Olympian, Jenny Lehane boxed her Round of 32 bout against Thailand’s Natnicha Chongprongklang, the 2024 Asian champion at the weight. Chongprongklang was swift and aggressive, and despite Jenny’s speed and explosiveness, the Thai boxer progresses on a 5-0 decision. The complete score card is here
While double Olympian, Michaela Walsh, faced home opposition, and the crowd, in her contest against Andjela Brankovic. The first round was a 3-2 split to Brankovic, and despite the fact Michaela seemed to have done enough to secure rounds 2 and 3, the unanimous decision went to her opponent.
Of the Team Ireland boxers yet to begin their championships, 2022 World Champion, 70kg Lisa O’Rourke starts at the Last 16 stage against Azerbaijan’s Aynur Rzayeva – 2016 European Women’s champ at 81+kg; the 2022 European silver medalist, and a 2023 Women’s World bronze medalist. Lisa’s sister, double Olympian 75kg Aoife O’Rourke, is the top seed in her weight. As such, she has a bye to the quarter finals. She’ll meet the winner of the contest between Bulgaria and Uzbekhistan
239 boxers from 51 federations are contesting the tournament; in 2023, the last iteration of these championships, 324 boxers from 64 federations competed.
March 15th is a rest day at the tournament, and all finals will be boxed on Sunday, March 16th.
Day Three
Two Team Ireland boxers are in action on Tuesday as the competition moves to the last 16 stage.
50kg Daina Moorehouse has a bye, and begins her tournament against China’s 8th seeded Hu M. That’s Bout 2 of Ring A’s Afternoon Session.
There’s also last 16 start for Olympian, 66kg Grainne Walsh – she’s between the ropes against Uzbekistan’s Navbakhor Khamidova. Khamidova is a fellow Olympian, the reigning Asian champ and medaled at the 2023 Women’s Worlds. The two meet in Bout 7 of Ring B’s Evening Session.
Watch
Ring A, Afternoon Session
Ring B, Afternoon Session
Ring A, Evening Session
Ring B, Evening Session
Team Ireland
48kg Carleigh Irving, Oakleaf Boxing Club, Derry
50kg Daina Moorehouse, Enniskerry Boxing Club, Wicklow
The Irish Athletic Boxing Association (IABA) has a proud tradition of success, being Ireland’s most successful Olympic sport and Northern Ireland’s most successful Commonwealth Games sport. The Regional Performance Coach will play a role in the Northern Ireland team for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow delivering on continued success for the IABA.
The Regional Performance Coach for the Ulster High Performance (UHP) will work closely with the Head Regional Performance Coach (HRPC) within Ulster, assisting with delivery, planning and athlete development.
The Ulster High Performance unit is located at the Ulster University Sport Village, in collaboration with Sport Institute Northern Ireland (SINI). The programme will aim to work with the most talented boxers from Ulster, helping them to develop and transion into the National Programme and competion on the World Stage. The Regional Performance Coach will be key in delivering and supporting athletes to maximise their potential. The role will require a strong technical and tactical knowledge of Boxing, high-level planning and communication skills, proficient computer literacy, a good understanding of athlete development and a proven commitment to the development of High-Performance Boxing.
1. Coach and prepare athletes throughout the performance pathway for a range of competitions throughout the year and participate in training camps as agreed with the Regional Head Performance Coach and Regional Performance Manager.
2. Develop and deliver session plans in collaboration with the Regional Head Performance Coach. Share planning in a timely matter to all coaches involved with the sessions and maintain a record of the sessions conducted.
3. Design, develop, and implement periodised training programs for boxers of all levels within the Ulster High Performance, in consultation with the Head Coach and SINI’s sport science and sports medicine service providers.
4. Embrace both full-time and part-time athletes in the HPU, providing support appropriate to their developmental stages.
5. Contribute to Talent Identification and Athlete Development Pathways.
6. To attend targeted domestic competitions that involve Ulster Athletes as a method of talent identification.
Job Description and Personal Specification
Role Purpose: The Regional Performance Coach will assist with all aspects of the performance programme, supporting the Head Regional Coach and Regional Performance Manager to deliver a worldclass performance pathway, supporting and nurturing talented boxers from Ulster.
Location: Ulster University Sports Village, Jordanstown, BT37 0QB with travel domestic and overseas.
Hours of work: This is a full-time position (40 hours per week) with most of that time expected to be on campus in the Jordanstown facility. We are open to considering job-share flexible working patterns, in line with business needs.
Contract: 2 Years Fix Term with the possibility of 2-year extension depending on funding. Six month period of probation will apply.
Salary £32,500- £37,500 Pro-Rata. Band will be dependent on experience
Monitoring and Evaluation
1. Assist in directing, monitoring, and evaluating the impact of training and competition programs and services for athletes within the Ulster HPU.
2. Monitor the progress of individual athletes towards their goals and targets, working in partnership with SINI’s key service providers.
3. Maintain an accurate record of incident reports and injury management.
4. Maintain an accurate record of athlete progress and provide detailed reports on individual athletes as requested by the Performance Lead.
5. Provide monthly progress reports on both competition and training camps, as required.
Leadership and Support
1. Lead activities and initiatives within the program when directed by the Performance
Director, Regional Performance Manager, or Regional Head Performance Coach.
2. Provide coverage for HP coaching colleagues and the Head Coach as necessary.
3. Assist in managing training programs for the various competition streams within the
Ulster High Performance.
4. Work collaboratively with staff members of the IABA, volunteers, club coaches, Sport
Northern Ireland (SNI), and the Sport Institute of Northern Ireland (SINI) on all
aspects of the performance program.
5. Work alongside relevant performance colleagues as part of a multi-disciplinary team
supporting both regional and national teams.
Miscellaneous
1. Attend all necessary IABA meetings as requested by the Regional Head Coach.
2. Engage positively in a personal performance development plan, actively identifying
new areas for learning and committing to a culture of continual improvement
3. Support the development and implementation of the National and Regional High
Performance Strategy.
4. Work cooperatively with IABA and Ulster office staff, primary partners and sponsors
to support marketing and promotional activities and media requirements
5. Any other reasonable duties as required by the Regional Head Coach or Regional
Performance Manager.
Person Specification
Essential Skills and Qualifications
A minimum 1 Star Boxing coaching qualification; a higher grade is desirable.
2 Years previous experience coaching elite high performance boxers.
Previous experience coaching talented Elite, Youth and Junior athletes in an High
Performance boxing setting.
Competent in the use of Microsoft Packages.
An understanding of performance planning and good administrative skills.
Competent English language skills.
Flexibility to work weekends and evenings
Desirable Skills and Qualifications
2 Star or 3 Star coaching qualification.
Previous experience in performance and pathway planning.
Previous experience in a coaching role in an high performance environment.
Application Process
Interested persons are invited to submit the following by email to hr@iaba.ie: *Resume including 2 referees *Cover letter outlining how they meet the essential skills and qualifications by providing examples of how they have previously fulfilled the duties and responsibilities of this type of role Application closing date: 14th March 2024 Anticipated Interview Dates: Week beginning 17th March 2025
The Irish Athletic Boxing Association (IABA) is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The post holder is required to undergo Safeguarding Training, to be agreed with the Head of Safeguarding. The successful candidate will be required to complete the necessary. Access NI checks prior to appointment.
The Irish Athletic Boxing Association is an equal opportunities employer.
IABA, through Ulster Participation and Engagement Officer Louise McKenzie, is continuing Women in Sport Week celebrations this evening.
Louise has partnered with Newry’s Damolly FC to deliver a series of workshops this evening, encompassing boxing learning, nutrition, pilates and network opportunities for women and girls in the wider Newry area, and for the female membership of Damolly FC.
The event, beginning at 6pm, takes place at Newry High Sports Hall.
IABA’s Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Officer Patrick Adejayan, is providing comprehensive online Deaf Disability Awareness Training program, through a partnership with Deaf Sport Ireland.
Attendance for members has been fully funded by IABA’s Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Office.
This initiative aims to equip participants with essential knowledge and skills to better understand the challenges faced by individuals with hearing disabilities. Through a series of engaging modules, attendees will learn about effective communication strategies, the importance of accessibility, and ways to create a more inclusive environment. By investing in this training, IABA reinforces its commitment to fostering a diverse community where everyone feels valued and respected.
Attendees will be engaged through interactive group work and theory content and will be introduced to adaptation tools. These tools will be applied to a variety of games and activities to make them inclusive for all ability groups.
After completing the workshop, participants will receive a Certificate of Attendance and a resource manual for inclusive activities.
Registration
The workshop will take place online from 6 pm to 8 pm on Monday the 10th of March 2025
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.
