IABA’s Annual General Meeting is scheduled to take place in Belfast on November, in person and by means of electronic communications (Zoom) technology as permitted by the Companies (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Covid-19) Act 2020.

Annual Report & Financial Statement:
In advance of that meeting, auditors, BKRM Corporate Services, have prepared an Annual Report and Financial Statement for the financial year ended December 31st, 2020. The report and statement are attached.

AGM Agenda:
1. Chairperson’s address
2. Safeguarding report
3. Anti-doping report
4. 2020 audited financial statements & directors’ report
5. Re-appointment of auditors
6. Elections
7. CEO update
7. Presidents closing address

AGM In-Person Attendance
All affiliated clubs are invited to attend the IABA 2021 Annual General Meeting (AGM), via Zoom or in person at the Balmoral Hotel, Blacks Road, Dunmurry, Belfast BT10 0NF.
The AGM begins at 11.30am on Sunday, November 28th.
2 members from every club are entitled to attend the AGM, one member with voting rights and one member without.
Mindful of public health advice on the Covid 19 pandemic, and potential changes to travel and social distancing restrictions, the IABA may, at short notice, be unable to hold this year’s AGM in a traditional face-to-face format. If that is the case, the IABA will endeavour to host a virtual only AGM on the same date and time.

AGM Remote Attendance
In order to attend the AGM remotely, all attendees need to register for tickets through Eventbrite and also set up a Zoom Account with a matching email address, per attendee. Details on how to do this will be provided shortly.
All clubs attending remotely are advised to set up a Zoom account well before the AGM. IABA has published a how-to guide on setting up a Zoom account: //iaba.ie/site3/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Instructions-for-setting-up-a-Zoom-Account.docx

IABA Company Secretary, John Nangle, says “Please note that on Thursday 04.11.21 an objection to the AGM being held in Belfast was raised by an affiliated club, stating that “this meeting must be held in the state” the objection went on to say “the proposed venue must legally be within the 26 counties”. This objection has been noted and we will update the membership as necessary.”

The independent Membership Panel, appointed by the Board of Directors of the IABA in accordance with the IABA Rulebook, to review a decision made by the Central Council of the IABA in relation to the membership/affiliation of members of the three units, has issued its finding. Following their review of the evidence they have unanimously upheld the decision of Central Council to withdraw membership/affiliations.

Officers and members of the Central Council are members of boxing clubs across the island of Ireland. Officers and members are directly elected to their roles by boxing clubs. The Central Council is the body which governs Ireland’s 6 units, whose members are also directly elected by boxing clubs in their areas of operation.

Central Council, when informed of decisions taken by the Leinster & Connaught Provincial Councils as well as the Dublin County Board to withdraw support of the superior bodies of the IABA, convened a meeting to consider the matter. At that meeting held on 29th August 2021 the 20 members of Central Council present voted on three specific matters:

• A vote of no confidence in the Leinster and Connaught Provincial Councils, and the Dublin County Board was carried with 17 voting for, 1 against, and 2 abstentions
• A vote to object to the affiliations of the three organisations was carried with 16 voting for, 2 against and 2 abstentions.
• A vote to remove Officers/Members of those three organisations from Membership of the IABA was carried with 19 voting for, and 1 abstention.

These decisions were then referred to the IABA Board of Directors. Due to conflicts of interest, the Board agreed, in accordance with Rule 6(8) of the IABA Rulebook, to refer the matter to an independent Membership Panel to review the matter and determine whether or not to uphold the decision of the Central Council to withdraw membership.

The Membership Panel ‘found on examining the evidence that there was unanimous support for the decision taken by the IABA Central Council to remove those from membership/affiliation of the IABA. Individuals concerned who wish to appeal this determination may do so through SDSI (Sports Disputes Solutions Ireland) as per the rules set out by the IABA. We, as an independent committee, would strongly recommend that their memberships be considered at the next stage of affiliation opening to the IABA. A detailed report on the findings of the review conducted was submitted to the IABA along with the Minutes of Meetings held discussing these cases.”

The Membership Panel was made up of two barristers and a corporate governance officer from another National Governing Body of sport. The Membership Panel, having considered all evidence, have now delivered their report which upholds the decision of the Central Council to withdraw membership/affiliation of the individuals concerned.

Those individuals in the three bodies concerned – the Leinster Provincial Council, the Connaught Provincial Council, and the Dublin Board – have now been informed of the decision which means that they are no longer members/affiliates of the IABA.

It is important to note that all clubs under the auspices of Leinster and Connacht Provincial Council and the Dublin Board who have already affiliated to IABA remain affiliated, which means their boxers and training activities are insured and boxers can continue to compete in official IABA competitions.


ENDS.