IABA is moving forward in developing the Safeguarding learning opportunities available to clubs and their members.
IABA is in the process of training four Safeguarding Tutors – former National Safeguarding Manager, Paul Hayes of Olympic BC, Gabe Cronnelly, Children’s Officer Monivea BC & Galway Sports Partnership, Cork Boxing Development Officer Kristian Bunici of Clonard BC, Wexford and Sligo Boxing Development Officer Maeve Clarke of Ballinacarrow BC. In the New Year, all four Safeguarding Tutors will be able to deliver Safeguarding 1 training.
An indicative calendar of Safeguarding training will be made available in the coming weeks.
All boxing coaches must complete Safeguarding 1 as part of their certification. Non-coaching adult members of clubs who require Garda Vetting should also complete Safeguarding 1. Safeguarding Two is required for all club Child Protection Officers, while Safeguarding Three is for club, county board or provincial unit Designated Liaison Officers.
IABA is also advanced in the process of recruiting a new National Safeguarding Manager.
Safeguarding Committee
Following expressions of interest earlier this year, the IABA’s Safeguarding Committee is in being, and includes:
- Darren McGavin
- Paddy McLaverty
- Padraig McCullough
They will be joined by the IABA Safeguarding Manager on this committee.
Vetting:
Vetting is required for all coaches, and for all non-coaching club members who come in to contact with children and young people. Sally Ann Kinch is IABA’s Garda Vetting Liaison Person, assisting with GV applications.
IABA Garda Vetting staff completed 673 vetting applications, between January and November of this year. The Garda National Vetting Bureau has changed its systems and, on submission of the initial forms, a link will issue to the applicant. Unfortunately, in over 180 cases this year, the applicant did not complete the link, and it expired – this requires re-issue, which can take some time. Everyone submitting a vetting application should be watchful for this link.
All IABA Vetting documentation is published here and anyone with a query about vetting can contact vetting@iaba.ie.
You can also access our Garda Vetting tutorial here:
IABA Annual Safeguarding Report – delivered at IABA’s AGM on November 18th: