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Call for NI Boxing Federation
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| Culzie | Date: Monday, 2012-11-12, 9:01 PM | Message # 1 |
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| Call to form boxing federation
Monday, 12 November 2012
A Northern Ireland Boxing Federation has been called for
The Assembly has called for the establishment of a Northern Ireland Boxing Federation to allow local fighters to compete for the UK at international level.
MLAs also sent a clear message that sectarianism in sport was unacceptable.
Sandy Row Boxing Club has claimed its fighters faced intimidation from nationalist supporters of the sport over the past decade. The alleged physical and verbal assaults, from followers rather than participants, took place while their boxers were fighting in places like west Belfast in the 10 years to 2010.
TUV leader Jim Allister told the chamber: "If these young people have the ability and achieve competition results, they can attain the ultimate and compete for and on behalf of their own nation, and instead of having to wrap themselves in an Irish tricolour when they do so, have the opportunity as everyone else does to take pride in their own flag."
The inner-city Sandy Row club has compiled a 57-page document detailing allegations of a hate campaign. It claims the Irish Amateur Boxing Association has not adequately addressed the concerns. The association has said its ethos is in no way sectarian.
The PSNI has said it was treating a verbal abuse incident in North Queen Street in 2010 as a hate crime. It follows positive attention given to the sport with the victories at the Olympics of Belfast boxers Paddy Barnes and Michael Conlan, who took bronze medals for Ireland.
Mr Allister said the problem of sectarianism had been addressed in football. "What is good enough for football is good enough for boxing. Let us see the same proactive action so that young people who take pride in their boxing skills can indeed participate, free from the burden and the cloud of sectarian abuse that, as the Sandy Row report demonstrates, so many have been subjected to for so long," he added.
DUP MLA Michelle McIlveen called upon Sports Minister Caral Ni Chuilin to ensure funding for boxing is allocated equitably across all communities in Northern Ireland. "Boxing should not be a sport confined simply to some areas of Belfast, or even just to the city as a whole. Provision should be made for the whole of Northern Ireland and opportunities provided for wherever there is demand and need," she said.
Dominic Bradley, SDLP MLA, said funding should be given on the basis of need rather than location. "The report from Sandy Row Amateur Boxing Club on incidents of sectarianism at various boxing venues was very disturbing and I am sure that all interested in the promotion of sport will be eager to ensure that boxing is free from this type of behaviour," he said.
Ms Ni Chuilin said there is no room for sectarianism in boxing or indeed in any sport. Boxing has always been at the forefront of joining communities, she added.
Read more: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news....2YL6qF9
Ulster Protestants consider themselves to be a separate nation. This nation they call Ulster
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| RSAUB | Date: Tuesday, 2012-11-13, 11:42 AM | Message # 2 |
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| Would be a good move or even if some of the Protestant clubs broke away, there's enough a them although they probably won't want to rock the boat to much and also probably worried about the loss of funding etc, but there's no doubt that boxing in Ulster is heavilly biased towards the Roman Catholic's and is dubbed a fenian sport.
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| Culzie | Date: Tuesday, 2012-11-13, 2:56 PM | Message # 3 |
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| Yes we as a people have always been reluctant to 'rock the boat' while the other side don't seem to worry so much who it offends. I have to put my hand up to them for that. There was a Swimming/Water-Polo Club called after Cathal Brugha an ira gunman in the 1916 business. And of course we know of the Eire Ex-Servicemen calling their branch after Sarsfield who fought on the Catholic side at the Boyne. Hows about a similar situation on the Protestant side and a swimming club called after Crawford and a British Legion Branch called after Schomberg. No chance I would say 
Regarding the boxing. There was supposed to be a programme on Spotlight last Tuesday about sectarianism in boxing in NI and how the Sandy Row Club bore the brunt of this. But it wasn't on instead it had to do with the murder of Mr Black. OK fair enough,but I thought they might have mentioned the boxing programme and when it would be shown. I know its not on tonight. Its about farming tonight
Ulster Protestants consider themselves to be a separate nation. This nation they call Ulster
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| Culzie | Date: Wednesday, 2012-11-14, 3:08 PM | Message # 4 |
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| Sandy Row Boxing Club not eligible for funding says Ní Chuilín
Boxing clubs in Northern Ireland must be affiliated with a recognised body to be eligible for government funding, Sport Minister Carál Ní Chuilín has told the assembly.
The minister had told MLAs on Monday that the mainly Protestant Sandy Row Boxing Club in south Belfast could express an interest in accessing funding under a new scheme.
But on Tuesday, she said while the club had been a member of the Irish Amateur Boxing Association in the last three years, it was not currently a member.
Ulster Unionist sport spokesman Michael McGimpsey said the minister's approach to the club was "bringing her office into disrepute".
"Yesterday in the assembly, the minister said that Sandy Row Boxing Club was eligible for funding," he said.
"Today in the assembly she said that it is not. What is she going to say tomorrow?
"Is the minister not properly briefed or has she simply forgotten what she said yesterday?
"With this track record we can have little confidence in anything she says."
His comments came a day after assembly members voted to support the establishment of a Northern Ireland amateur boxing association.
Currently, boxers from Northern Ireland compete in the Irish Amateur Boxing Association and cannot compete for the UK at international level.
The vote was taken after the TUV proposed an amendment to a DUP debate on the allocation of funding to clubs in Protestant and Catholic communities.
It follows claims of sectarianism by Sandy Row Boxing Club, which said its members were subjected to a decade of "chronic sectarianism" while boxing in nationalist areas.
Ms Ní Chuilín had told the assembly debate on Tuesday that everyone has "a duty to confront sectarianism".
Ulster Protestants consider themselves to be a separate nation. This nation they call Ulster
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| Culzie | Date: Monday, 2012-11-19, 6:43 PM | Message # 5 |
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| Lets see if the boxing clubs from the loyalist areas will back this up. A new Federation of Ulster (or NI) Boxing Clubs or will it be just 'pie in the sky'.
Sunday 18 November 2012 11:13
SANDY Row Boxing Club has claimed that it has “effectively been put out of the sport” after complaining about a series of alleged sectarian incidents.
Ian McSorley from the club told Saturday’s TUV conference in Cookstown that the club wanted to see a Northern Ireland boxing federation which would allow fighters from the Province to box for Britain.
The club has received support from former Labour sports minister Kate Hoey since in the summer it made the allegations of sectarianism stretching back more than 10 years.
Mr McSorley, who said that he was not a member of any political party, listed a series of occasions where he told how his club had gone to Twinbrook with young people confronted by people “spitting on them, tripping them up, calling them ‘orange b’s’ and worse, telling them if they didn’t keep quiet they would be put in a van and taken away...”
He catalogued a series of occasions where he said the club’s young boxers had been abused, threatened, intimidated or refused entry to boxing clubs and of a Chinese boxer who received racial and sectarian abuse.
Mr McSorley said that the situation had firmly crossed the line between sporting banter and abuse, with songs such as “you’re going to die” being sung at the young boxers in nationalist areas and their bus being stoned.
But he said that the response from the boxing authorities was just ‘sorry, it shouldn’t have happened’ on each occasion and added: “We’ve effectively been put out of the sport”.
Ulster Protestants consider themselves to be a separate nation. This nation they call Ulster
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| RSAUB | Date: Tuesday, 2012-11-20, 3:40 PM | Message # 6 |
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| That's hope with some political help Ian Sorley and Sandy row boxing club can take the lead in making a Northern Ireland boxing federation a reality, ideally an Ulster boxing federation would be ideal but a NI boxing federation will be better than this current set-up.
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| Culzie | Date: Tuesday, 2012-11-20, 5:33 PM | Message # 7 |
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| Yes lets hope they can step out and assert themselves and work towards that goal. I'm pretty sure though there will be lots of pressure on them to stay in the irish set-up. Will they withstand that pressure and forge ahead with their own federation.. Time will tell.
Kate Hoey a while back was asking questions as to why the young tennis players from Ulster were not taking advantage of the British Tennis coaching scheme as Andy Murray had come though that scheme. She was told the young players of Ulster were part of the Irish Tennis Association and had to work with them.
Whether Kate knew that and was just 'testing the water' I'm not sure,but its good to see her backing SRBC and a proposed NI Federation.
Ulster Protestants consider themselves to be a separate nation. This nation they call Ulster
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| RSAUB | Date: Wednesday, 2012-11-21, 2:54 PM | Message # 8 |
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| It is indeed and she carries a bit more weight than our own MPs as she represents a mainland constituency and she's obviously taking this particular issue very seriously.
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| Culzie | Date: Thursday, 2013-03-14, 4:24 PM | Message # 9 |
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Ulster Protestants consider themselves to be a separate nation. This nation they call Ulster
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| Culzie | Date: Saturday, 2013-06-15, 9:03 PM | Message # 10 |
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| Happened to turn the TV to the BBC channel and it was in the middle of a debate from Stormont. It was about the Sandy Row Boxing Club. Michael McGimpsey and Jim Allister both were raising questions about the treatment of the Club with the Minister Carol Cullen (sinn fein)
Her reply was along the lines that Sandy Row had to be affiliated to the Boxing Federation in order to get grants. We know that Sandy Row due to the bigoted sectarianism directed towards them had left the Federation. However,the rub came when she said that Clubs like Albert Foundry and Cairn Lodge were quite happy with things.
Ulster Protestants consider themselves to be a separate nation. This nation they call Ulster
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| Culzie | Date: Thursday, 2013-12-12, 11:22 PM | Message # 11 |
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| Sandy Row boxing club has been vindicated
The secretary of a mainly Protestant boxing club in Belfast has said a new report on sectarianism in the sport has “vindicated” his complaints to the Irish boxing authorities.
In August 2012, Sandy Row published a 57-page dossier outlining what it called “a decade of sectarian and racial abuse” before the club was suspended from the Irish Amateur Boxing Association (IABA) in 2010.An independent commission – chaired by former Community Relations Council chief Duncan Morrow – was set up to investigate the claims and yesterday confirmed that “there were incidents of sectarianism and racism” to be addressed.When the Sandy Row dossier was first published, secretary
Ian McSorley said he had been lobbying for a return to the traditional red and blue vests, as boxers from nationalist areas entering the ring in Irish tricolour attire was leading to “a very unhealthy atmosphere” for the young Protestants.He said his attempts to secure reassurances that his boxers could compete safely in “politically neutral environments” had been ignored by the boxing authorities.“We have had boxers tripped up on their way into the ring, spat at and verbally abused and we can’t keep putting young people in that position,” he said
.Dr Morrow, the current director of community engagement at the University of Ulster, said his panel had consulted with the boxing community to ascertain how division in Northern Ireland has impacted upon the sport.He said many of the issues identified also affect other amateur sports – particularly around national identity and international representation issues. “The Independent Working Group acknowledged that there were incidents of sectarianism and racism and therefore believes that the IABA should work to eliminate a number of identified chill factors, develop a clear process of intervention, and formalise a robust disciplinary and resolution process to ensure that incidents are dealt with as they arise.“However, the Independent Working Group believe that the creation of a separate federation for boxers in Northern Ireland would deepen and accelerate sectarian divisions – potentially splitting boxing for generations to come on sectarian lines
.”The report goes on to say that boxers from Northern Ireland should have the option, in keeping with the terms of the Good Friday Agreement, of aspiring to represent Great Britain at the Olympics or other elite tournaments. Apart from the Commonwealth Games, boxers from Northern Ireland are only entitled to represent Ireland at major competitions unless they base themselves in Great Britain.“The Independent Working Group believes that the Irish Amateur Boxing Association, along with other sports, should consider what creative ways could be found to enable elite representation of individual Ulster boxers in either Team GB or Ireland teams at
the Olympics. “We have also recommended a strategic review of the IABA’s current governance structures in Ulster, which will be important in driving the organisation’s future agenda, ensuring that key focus goes back on boxing,” the report added.
Speaking to the News Letter following the report’s publication, the Sandy Row secretary said he had no confidence in the bodies currently governing local boxing. He said: “We believe the only way forward is for a new board to be set up which is inclusive for everybody. “The report has totally vindicated Sandy Row and the stance that we have taken.
In the full report in the NL December 11 2013 Mr McSorley also said ''The report totally vindicated Sandy Row and the stance that we have taken. ''It was a difficult stand to take and a lot of boxing clubs wouldn't speak out because, as it stands in the report, of the chill factor and how they would be treated within the sport. ''You would get the chill factor and be pushed to the side. ''They are more concerned with their boxers doing well in competitions and if they complained then he's not going to get on trips. He added: ''The Commonwealth Games are coming up which proves a need for a N.I. amateur boxing association.
Club owed apology by those who doubted their claims - Allister
http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news....5741287
Ulster Protestants consider themselves to be a separate nation. This nation they call Ulster
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| Culzie | Date: Tuesday, 2014-02-04, 4:30 PM | Message # 12 |
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| US sporting chief comes out fighting for Sandy Row boxers
by Mark Rainey February 4, 2014
A leading figure in world boxing has said he is “saddened and appalled” at the sectarianism suffered by a mainly Protestant boxing club in Belfast.
Ray Rodgers, president of Golden Gloves of America, has visited the Sandy Row club on several occasions and says he is fully behind the club’s desire to break away from the Irish body which governs local boxing.
Mr Rodgers has been involved in boxing for 65 years and has worked as a “cuts man” with professionals including Wayne McCullough, Iran Barkley and Hector Camacho.
He has studied a 57-page dossier produced by the Sandy Row club outlining a number of incidents over a 10-year period – including having boxers tripped up on their way into the ring and verbal abuse.
A subsequent report by an independent commission found “there were incidents of sectarianism and racism” to be addressed.
Neutral venues for tournaments and a ban on potentially offensive symbolism were among proposals put forward to the Irish Amateur Boxing Association (IABA) by officials from Sandy Row.
However, Ian McSorley, of the Sandy Row club, claims their concerns have not been taken seriously by the IABA and wants a new Northern Ireland-based governing body.
The club secretary said: “It is our strong opinion that Ray Rodgers has shown the way forward on this issue. We also very much hope that the [Sports] Minister will take note of his comments in relation to funding but, regardless of what happens with the funding, Sandy Row isn’t going to die.”
In a letter to Sandy Row Boxing Club, the Golden Gloves president said: “I was saddened and appalled when I read of the many incidents of sectarianism and racism directed towards the boxers in your club. There is absolutely no place in amateur boxing for inequality of this type.
“In the past decade I have travelled to Belfast four or five times. I always made it a point to visit Sandy Row Boxing Club. It is very well equipped and the coaches were very skilled, caring and professional.”
Mr Rodgers goes on to say: “The forming of a Northern Ireland Amateur Boxing Association would be an ideal way to serve the needs and desires of the boxers.”
TUV leader Jim Allister also supports the club’s aspirations.
He said: “The fact that someone of the standing within amateur boxing internationally of Ray Rodgers has come out and backed Sandy Row and calls for a Northern Ireland Amateur Boxing Association is highly significant.”
The Sandy Row club’s own dossier detailing “a decade of sectarian and racial abuse” led to an independent report into the claims being published in December last year.
Chaired by former Community Relations Council chief Duncan Morrow, the panel reported: “The Independent Working Group acknowledged that there were incidents of sectarianism and racism and therefore believes that the IABA should work to eliminate a number of identified chill factors, develop a clear process of intervention, and formalise a robust disciplinary and resolution process to ensure that incidents are dealt with as they arise.”
The report adds that boxers from Northern Ireland should have the option, in keeping with the terms of the Good Friday Agreement, of aspiring to represent Great Britain at the Olympics or other elite tournaments.
However, it said the creation of a separate boxing federation “would deepen and accelerate sectarian divisions”.
Apart from the Commonwealth Games, boxers from Northern Ireland are only entitled to represent Ireland at major competitions unless they base themselves in GB.
http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news....e]
Ulster Protestants consider themselves to be a separate nation. This nation they call Ulster
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| Culzie | Date: Tuesday, 2015-02-24, 7:27 PM | Message # 13 |
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| News Letter February 20, 2015
The campaign for a new amateur boxing body in Northern Ireland is gathering pace with 17 clubs said to have registered their intent to break away from the Irish governing authority.
At a meeting with Sport NI in Belfast on Thursday, former UK sports minister Kate Hoey joined a delegation of local political and boxing club representatives, who believe the time has come for young boxers to compete as British rather than Irish competitors if they so wish.
The long-serving Labour MP said: “There is absolutely no reason why the Northern Ireland Sports Council shouldn’t be recognising the Northern Ireland Boxing Association.
“This is about boxing in Northern Ireland where young people’s future opportunities will be to box for their own country.”
The idea was first raised by Sandy Row in 2012 after the club complained of sectarian abuse and physical attacks directed on its members while competing in nationalist areas.
In a 57-page dossier, Sandy Row said the overtly Irish symbolism and attitudes of both the Dublin-based and local governing authorities were intimidating – and that the club’s concerns were not being addressed.
As a result, a total of 17 clubs have now expressed interest in exercising their right – as enshrined in the Belfast Agreement – to be identified as British boxers for the purpose of international competition and want Sport NI to back their bid.
http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news....6591322
Ulster Protestants consider themselves to be a separate nation. This nation they call Ulster
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| Culzie | Date: Friday, 2015-02-27, 7:24 PM | Message # 14 |
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| Kate Hoey, says it as it is. Well done Kate
http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news....6605412
Ulster Protestants consider themselves to be a separate nation. This nation they call Ulster
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