Canberra Boxing Bulletin - Edition 22, December 2001

Transition to autonomy 

From 1st January 2002, ACT Boxing will be solely responsible for amateur boxing matters in the Capital Territory. Club officials, coaches and boxers in particular should read this newsletter carefully to ensure you are aware of the changes relevant to you, as your membership of the NSW ABA ceases on 31 December. 

Registration of boxers 

From 1 January 2002, any person (male or female) who is training in an ACT club or gym, and who wishes to box as an amateur, must register with ACT Boxing Inc. Minimum age is 10, maximum age is currently 33. Females training in NSW may also register with ACT Boxing until NSW permits females to register. 

An annual registration fee is payable at the commencement of each calendar year, which includes membership of the association and confers voting rights at general meetings. The registration fee for boxers (irrespective of age) is $25 if paid by 31 March each year. Registrations after that date are $35. 

New boxers will be issued an AIBA medical record book by ACT Boxing. Existing boxers who already hold an AIBA medical record book issued by NSWABA will retain their book, which will be transferred to ACT Boxing. Currently registered boxers in the ACT will receive a letter in the new year setting out the details. 

Registration of coaches 

From 1 January 2002, coaches wishing to be in the corner for an ACT boxer must register with ACT Boxing. There is no registration fee, however you must purchase your ACT Boxing coach’s badge and must wear it when officiating at any tournament. Registered coaches automatically receive membership of the association and have voting rights at general meetings. Current NSWABA-registered active coaches in the ACT will receive a letter in the new year setting out the details. 

Registration of clubs 

From 1 January 2002, any club or gym wishing to be represented at tournaments by one or more boxers must register with ACT Boxing. An annual registration fee of $50 is payable at the commencement of each calendar year, which includes membership of the association and confers voting rights at general meetings. Existing clubs will receive a letter in the new year setting out the details. 

Tournaments and sanctioning 

Under ACT law, a boxing tournament may only proceed if granted a permit from the ACT Minister for Sport, and may only involve boxers registered with Amateur Boxing Australia. Anyone wishing to conduct any public amateur boxing bouts in Canberra must apply for a sanction from ACT Boxing Inc at least one month in advance of the proposed date. If the event is sanctioned by ACT Boxing and granted a permit from the Minister, we will supply the technical officials (referees, judges, timekeeper, medical officer). A fee will be charged for every sanction. 

In 2002, ACT Boxing proposes to conduct its own tournaments on the following dates (to be confirmed): February 16, April 6, June 1, July 27, August 24, September 21. ACT Titles are scheduled for October 19. Venues are yet to be determined. 

ACT boxers who are registered by ACT Boxing will be able to take part in most NSW tournaments without a formal clearance (likewise NSW boxers in ACT tournaments), but will NOT be eligible to box in NSW State Championships, or represent NSW.

Australian Championships 

ABAI will in future hold its national championships in March of each year, to act as a selection mechanism for major international events. The traditional process of qualifying for nationals via State Titles no longer applies. 

The 2002 Australian Championships will be held in Melbourne on 21-24 March, and will be part of the selection mechanism for the Commonwealth Games in Manchester in July. 

We have invited 9 boxers to consider nominating for selection for the ACT team for the 2002 Australian Championships. Each nominee will be evaluated to establish whether their fitness and skill levels are adequate. Not all nominees will be selected and the team is expected to comprise between 2 and 6 boxers. 

ACT Coaching Convenor 

The Board of ACT Boxing invites expressions of interest from members for the role of ACT Coaching Convenor. Details of duties available on request. The selected person has automatic membership of the Board of ACT Boxing. A candidate cannot be a member of a professional boxing organisation. Closing date: Fri 11 January 2002. 

ACT Referee/Judge Convenor 

The Board of ACT Boxing invites expressions of interest from members for the role of ACT Referee/Judge Convenor. Details of duties available on request. The selected person has automatic membership of the Board of ACT Boxing. A candidate cannot be a member of a professional boxing organisation. Closing date: Fri 11 January 2002. 

ACT delegate to ABAI 

The Board of ACT Boxing invites expressions of interest from members for the role of ACT delegate to the Board of Management of Amateur Boxing Australia. The delegate’s responsibility is to participate in ABAI decision-making (generally via mail votes) and to attend national meetings as required. Closing date: Fri 11 January 2002.

 Training courses for coaches 

It is proposed to conduct basic (level 1) amateur boxing coaching courses for new coaches on the weekend 2-3 March next year. Another such course is planned for 10-11 August. These courses will first be reviewed and improved to ensure compliance with Australian Coaching Council requirements. Refresher courses for existing coaches will also be scheduled. Further details of training courses for coaches (including fees) will be notified in this newsletter next year. 

Training courses for officials 

It is proposed to conduct accreditation training for new judges on the weekend 2-3 February next year, with another course scheduled for 13-14 July. Adults of either gender who wish to act as a judge or as a referee need to complete this course. Refresher courses will also be scheduled during 2002. Further details will be notified in a newsletter early next year.

Changes to weight divisions 

The International Olympic Committee has reduced the number of weight divisions for boxing at the next Olympics from 12 to 11, in order to make room for other activities. As a result, AIBA has decided to change the weight divisions for senior males (17 & over) from 1 January 2002, as per the table below.

These new weights will apply to the Oceania and Commonwealth Games in 2002 and are expected to be adopted for national, state and local tournaments also, from 1st January 2002. 

Although boxers over 94kg will not be able to compete at international level, it is possible that an over-94kg division will be put in place in at least some states, for local competition only. 

Terms such as “featherweight” and “heavy-weight” now become meaningless and are destined to be abandoned.

*Note: The 94kg figure shown in the newsletter should read 95kg. Also, these weights apply to seniors, juniors, cadets and females.

NSWABA calendar 

The NSWABA tournament calendar will be finalised in early January. Shortly after, details of NSW and ACT tournament dates will be on the internet at actboxing.com and we will mail a copy to coaches & boxers. 

Finances and tournament charges 

We remind coaches, boxers and officials that the cost of running each tournament is over $2000, and admission charges are the only way to recoup that cost. The only free entry is for weighed-in boxers, 2 coaches per club with boxers weighed in, tournament officials, and guests officially invited by ACT Boxing. Please do not promise free admission to your friends, family, colleagues etc; they will be required to pay for admission.