The IABA has confirmed all of the times, dates and locations of information workshops ahead of the EGM scheduled for mid-August. As indicated in early June following the IOC’s recommendation from the IOC Executive Board to IOC Session to withdraw recognition of the International Boxing Association, IABA clubs will have the opportunity to consider alternative partnerships. Formal notice of the time, date and location of the EGM will issue in the coming days.
Info Workshops
Four workshops will take place between July 25th and July 29th, led by the IABA Board of Directors Chair Niall O’Carroll, and the Director from that area.
Meetings are open to all registered members of clubs successfully affiliated for the 2023/2024 season. No registration is required for in-person meetings.
Munster:
July 25th – Firgrove Hotel, Mitchelstown, Co. Cork, beginning at 7pm.
Leinster
July 26th – The National Stadium, Dublin, beginning at 8pm.
Connacht
July 27th – The Hub, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon, beginning at 7pm
Ulster
July 29th – Girdwood Community Hub, 10 Girdwood Avenue, Belfast, Antrim BT14 6EG, beginning at 11am.
The Interim Chair, Tom Geraghty, and President, Gerry O’Mahony, have written to every club:
I’m writing to you as Irish boxing approaches a crossroads, following the International Olympic Committee’s decision to revoke the International Boxing Association’s recognition. The IBA will no longer organise Boxing at the Olympic Games. Boxing’s long-term future as an Olympic sport is at risk – this is of grave concern to all of us given that, the Olympic Games is a platform on which our clubs thrive, and that, boxing is Ireland’s most successful Olympic sport.
This the first time in history of the modern Olympic movement that the recognition of an international federation has been removed. It follows the suspension of the IBA’s recognition, in the wake of officiating controversies at Rio 2016. As we now know, this negatively impacted Irish boxers and deprived some, of their Olympic dreams.
Leaders within IBA have had four years to address concerns in officiating, governance, and financial management. Put bluntly, they have chosen not to do so. They instead, suspended numerous federations, declined to engage fully with the IOC, temporarily suspended Ukraine boxers’ from competing under their own flag, and released “an alternative qualification process” for Paris 2024, despite having no part in the Olympic Games. This is in addition to sponsorship from Russian state-owned energy company Gazprom, allowing Russian and Belarussian athletes to compete under their national flags after the invasion of Ukraine, and holding a presidential election from which four of five candidates were disqualified by the IBA the day before the election.
The IABA have had concerns about IBA’s activities and practices for some time now. The Board and Central Council have taken appropriate, measured, steps thus far. Now however, we are faced with the ultimate decision…where the future of Irish boxing lies. This is a decision for all our members. To make an informed one, we want to present what information we have to date.
Recognising early warning signs, the IABA became a member of the Common Cause Alliance of 20 federations, formed with the goal of keeping Boxing in the Olympic Games and ensuring our sport’s sustainable development for future generations. As we in the IABA know, this can only be achieved through rigorous governance practices and an environment where boxers can compete and excel knowing that the integrity of the sport is guaranteed, and competition is fair. Formed by members of the Common Cause Alliance, right now, the only global governing body which places these fundamentals at its core is World Boxing.
To be transparent, joining World Boxing, would be a calculated risk, and the stakes are high. Some underdeveloped nations lured by the promise of financial reward will chose to remain with IBA. More will remain in fear of change. Others will join with World boxing in the hope that, good governance and appropriate financial management will see boxing preserved in future Olympic Games. So, for a period at least, there will be two distinct and very different options in boxing. This will happen no matter what Ireland decides.
One side will pursue “Olympic-style boxing”. One side will pursue a “pro-style boxing”. We understand that, for some clubs and boxers, prize money at IBA tournaments is attractive. The sums on offer are substantial but may well be unsustainable beyond the short term. Although the possibility of winning a World medal is a prospect for a comparatively tiny number of boxers across the globe, remaining within the Olympic ethos ensures benefits, through funding, that are felt by every boxer in every club in the Association. Should we choose to remain in the IBA, we may well find our direct and indirect funding impacted.
In recent times, the IABA has been able to fund, or part fund, affiliation fees. Training and upskilling in areas including Coaching, Officiating, Women in Sport, Club Development, and Inclusion, has been enhanced and/or funded. Sports Capital and Sports Partnership Grant Aid has been provided to maintain and improve club facilities, and Teams of boxers across all age groups and levels have travelled internationally. Remaining with the IBA will mean funding for these areas will be reduced and, in some cases, will need to be fundraised.
For the grassroots of the sport here in Ireland, the Olympic Games are a vital part of boxing’s whole ecosystem, a crucial pathway for aspiring boxers, a framework that can carry them from their clubs to elite international programs and competition. The choice is stark: if members wish to remain affiliated to the IBA, then the collective Olympic dream is over. Paris 2024 will be our final bow as Ireland’s most successful Olympic sport.
And then, the Olympic Games itself is an epic stage. It creates stars in a way that is unrivalled. So many of Irish sport’s biggest names have come through the Olympics, Michael Carruth, Katie Taylor, Kellie Harrington. Many of the best boxers in our country have benefited from being on the Olympic program. So many of our best prospects will too. In short being expelled from the Olympic Games would be a major blow to boxing. My fear is that we might only realise how damaging losing our Olympic status would be, at all levels, once it’s too late.
It would be easy to turn a blind eye to the poor governance practices and poor decisions. Perhaps one could even justify the prize money. However, we, Irish boxing people are known worldwide for our sportsmanship, for our honesty, and for our integrity. Everything we do in our sport is for our boxers, our members, our communities. Is it truly right, to turn a blind eye and inadvertently allow our young members, our children to believe that oppression is ok, corruption is the way to win, and if you have enough money, you can essentially do anything you wish, no matter who you harm along the way? I recognise these things as the very opposite of what boxing in Ireland is known for. Surely, every member, boxer or not deserves respect. Surely, every boxer who steps through the ropes should expect, that the result is not predetermined. It’s not much to ask for — honesty, transparency, fairness!
So, as said, it is time now for clubs to plot the forward path for Irish boxing – and Irish boxers. We will hold and EGM, an Extraordinary General Meeting, in mid-August, in which all successfully affiliated clubs will have one vote on the future of Irish boxing. We will share with you the formal, legal notice of this EGM in good time, in addition to the registration process, the meeting’s date and location and the exact text on which clubs will vote.
In advance of that EGM, we are publishing all related documents on the IABA website which may of be interest to your club and members:
Decision of the IOC Extraordinary Session on 22 June 2023
IOC Comprehensive Report Summary
Asian Confederation statement on IOC Extraordinary Session decision
USA Boxing Letter to Membership
World Boxing Timeline
World Boxing background information, including competitions, structure, and leadership.
Clubs will also be able to request hard copies of these documents in the National Stadium during the 2023 National Senior Cadet Championships.
Whatever decision the Irish boxing family makes in August, please be assured that IABA’s insurance is contracted in our own right, and is not connected, in any way, to the global governing body to which we may be affiliated now, or in future. This means the activities of successfully affiliated clubs, boards, and units is insured once the appropriate permissions have been granted.
We have set up a dedicated email address to field any questions you may have – questions@iaba.ie. Please feel free to get in touch at any time.
Interim Chair Tom Geraghty and President, Gerry O’Mahony
International Olympic Committee Documents
Decision of the IOC Extraordinary Session on 22 June 2023
International tournaments and Invitational competitions
As demanded
As determined by the organiser
National Federations
Questions
Questions connected with the EGM can be submitted to questions@iaba.ie
At the AGM in October 2022, a number of clubs expressed the wish to receive documentation in hard-copy; accordingly, anyone who wishes hard copy of the attached documents can request them at the National Stadium during the course of the 2023 National Senior Cadet Championships.
Board Match has been contracted by the IABA to recruit suitable candidates for two separate Non- Executive Direct vacancies on the Board of Directors, in the Governance & Leadership and Communications fields.
Established in 1911, The Irish Athletic Boxing Association’s (IABA) main role is to develop, foster and control amateur boxing in the 32 counties of Ireland. The IABA is committed to provide the environment, in which support and opportunities given to our athletes, coaches and clubs excel, and in doing so to increase participation and improve performance in Irish Boxing. The IABA operates from the National Stadium in Dublin, the only purpose-built amateur boxing stadium in the world and there are currently over 360 clubs affiliated to the association across the Island of Ireland. It is a volunteer led organisation where the hard work, dedication and significant time afforded by each member has contributed to the growing success of the sport in Ireland.
Board composition as per the Constitution is ten Directors. The Board currently has four Directors namely:
Naill O’Carroll – Chair
Tom Geraghty
Neil Gough
Charles Toland
Ted Barry
Art O Brien
Darren O Neill
Fiona Hennigan
Tom Geraghty
Vacancies exist on IABA’s Board of Directors for Non-Executive Directors with expertise in the Legal and Communications fields.
Governance and Leadership
The Irish Athletic Boxing Association is seeking suitably qualified and experienced candidates to join the board as an independent legal expert. This is a voluntary board role that requires a significant time commitment to carry out the assigned duties and responsibilities. The term of office for the Non-Executive Director will be two years.
The Irish Athletic Boxing Association is seeking suitably qualified and experienced candidates to join the board as an independent legal expert. This is a voluntary board role that requires a significant time commitment to carry out the assigned duties and responsibilities. The term of office for the Non-Executive Director will be two years.
Assist with policy formation and implementation to maintain high levels of compliance with the Sport Ireland Governance Code
Have oversight of risk management in line with usual board responsibilities
Engage with matters pertaining to the activities of the organisation
To keep up to date on the affairs of the organisation
To bring impartiality and objectivity to meetings and decision making
To be aware of current issues that might affect the organisation
To advocate for and represent the organisation at external meetings and events if required
Act in the best interests of the organisation, with honesty and good faith towards the IABA’s stakeholders
Attend the annual general meeting and other general meetings as required
Sit on a number of agreed Board sub-committees
Challenge and contribute to the development of strategy constructively
Ensure that they comply with all their obligations as a Director, as required by Company law
Desirable Experience, Skills and Qualities
It is desirable that applicants for this role have the following:
Knowledgeable Leader with at least 5 years’ experience. Expertise in areas of Governance and or Leadership would be an advantage
Experience in the area of Sport as an athlete an advantage
Knowledge of the Sport Ireland Governance Code and a desire to implement the highest standards of governance
Previous board experience would be an advantage
Strong communication and interpersonal skills
Impartiality, fairness and the ability to respect confidences
Tact and diplomacy
Understanding of the roles/responsibilities of a sports governing body
Demonstrable alignment to the IABA values of respect, trust, inclusion, excellence, teamwork, integrity, and leadership
An understanding of the sport and the organisation an advantage
Time to effectively carry out the duties of the role
Communications
The Irish Athletic Boxing Association is seeking to appoint a Non-Executive Director with a Communications, Marketing and Innovation background. This is a voluntary board role that requires a significant time commitment to carry out the assigned duties and responsibilities. The term of office for the Non-Executive Director will be two years.
The Communications Non-Executive Director will be expected to:
Assist with the creation of a marketing and communications strategy that will allow the organisation to cultivate and enhance meaningful relationships with targeted, high-level external audiences including the media and key influencers
Develop market position and brand of the organisation to a variety of audiences to enable it to fulfil its mission and aims
To keep up to date on the affairs of the organisation
To bring impartiality and objectivity to meetings and decision making
To be aware of current issues that might affect the organisation
To advocate for and represent the organisation at external meetings and events if required
Act in the best interests of the organisation, with honesty and good faith towards the IABA’s stakeholders
Attend the annual general meeting and other general meetings as required
Sit on a number of agreed Board sub-committees
Challenge and contribute to the development of strategy constructively
Ensure that they comply with all their obligations as a Director, as required by Company law
Desirable Experience, Skills and Qualities
It is desirable that applicants for this role have the following:
Significant experience in a Marketing and/or Communications role
Understanding of innovation relating to communications and messaging
Knowledge of branding, business development and PR would be an advantage
Strong strategic development skills
Previous board experience would be an advantage
Strong communication and interpersonal skills
Impartiality, fairness and the ability to respect confidences
Tact and diplomacy
Understanding of the roles/responsibilities of a sports governing body
Demonstrable alignment to the IABA values of respect, trust, inclusion, excellence, teamwork, integrity, and leadership
An understanding of the sport and the organisation
Time to effectively carry out the duties of the role
Board Meetings
The board meets monthly and at least four of these meetings will take place in the provincial units, for example Belfast, Galway etc. Currently half of the board meetings take place online with the other half taking place in-person.
The Non-Executive Director will be asked to join a number of sub-committees. Sub-committee meetings are typically held on the last Thursday of every month.
If you would like to have an informal discussion about the roles, please contact Carol Prince via email carol@boardmatch.ie.
Interested candidates should apply by sending a CV and Cover Letter to carol@boardmatch.ieor via boardmatch.ie
Quarter and semi finals in the 2023 National Senior Cadet Championships have now been completed. Two days of finals will be boxed on July 21st and 22nd
