Canberra Boxing Bulletin - Edition 30 - November 2002

Results of ACT Titles 19 October 2002

Congratulations to all of the boxers and coaches for their contribution to the success of these inaugural titles. As at the date of the Titles, there had been 68 boxers registered during the year, including 10 females and one Masters boxer. Not a bad start, but let’s see those figures really climb in 2003!

Nominations for ACT Team to 2003 Australian Titles

The 2003 Australian Championships will be held in Hobart at the Wrest Point Casino from Thurs 27 to Sat 29 March inclusive.  Nomination forms are available online at actboxing.com for boxers wishing to be considered for the ACT Team. Nominations completed by boxer and coach must be received by 31 December.  We will accept nominations from Senior males & females (17-33 years incl), and from males in the Under-19/Junior (17-18 years); Under 17/Cadet (15-16 years); & Under 15/Schoolboy (13-14 years) divisions.

New weights and rules from January 2003

The international body has reduced the number of divisions from 12 to 11. Hence male weight divisions for boxers aged 17 and over are now 48, 51, 54, 57, 60, 64, 69, 75, 81, 91, & 91+ kg effective from 1 January 2003. 

A number of other important changes have been made by the international body, and others by Boxing Australia. Coaches, boxers, judges and referees should read the details of these changes which are set out elsewhere in this edition.

Despite expectations, the international body decided NOT to change the rule prohibiting former professional boxers.

ACT Coaches for 2003 Australian Titles

Nominations are invited for the positions of coaches for the ACT team attending the 2003 Australian Titles in Hobart next March. Three positions will be filled, one of which will be designated head coach and one of which will act as team manager. Brief written applications should be received by 31 December.

Notice of Special General Meeting – 15 January 2003

A special General Meeting will be held at 7pm on 15 January 2003 at the RSL Club, 13b Moore Street, Canberra, to consider amending the Constitution to rename the association to “Boxing ACT”; to create a position of Assistant Secretary; to streamline membership approvals; to specify duties for the Secretary and Treasurer positions; and to provide that memberships renewed by 5 February each year are deemed to have continuity for the purposes of insurance cover.  

Canberra tournament dates for 2003

The following dates have been selected for Canberra tournaments next year: Sat 22 Feb, Sat 5 Apr, Sat 17 May, Sat 28 Jun, Sat 9 Aug, Sat 20 Sep and ACT Titles on Sat 1 Nov 2003. Venues to be advised.

Insurance – public liability, professional indemnity, athlete accident/injury

In September, ACT Boxing obtained insurance via SportsCover Australia, to protect the organisation against public liability claims. We also took limited professional indemnity cover ($1 million) for ACT officials and boxing coaches who are registered with us. Additionally, we have cover for registered ACT boxers for partial reimbursement of specified medical costs for injury suffered through competing, sparring, training or travelling to/from venues for these activities. Insurance cover for registered boxers and coaches is current till the end of each year.

Professional Indemnity insurance covers qualified coaches and officials registered with the association against any claim arising from breach or alleged breach of professional duty (negligent acts, faulty advice, errors or omissions) committed whilst acting in their capacity as a coach or official in connection with the sport. The limit is $1 million.

Amateur Player Accident insurance covers ACT registered boxers for bodily injury suffered solely through competing, sparring, training or travelling to/from venues for these activities. It offers partial reimbursement for ambulance, private hospital accommodation, physiotherapy, chiropractic, dental and ancillary medical procedures. Up to 50% of the net expenses incurred can be reimbursed, and for physiotherapy up to 75%. The maximum amount payable per claim is $1200, and there is a $20 excess per claim.  The policy also offers lump sums for permanent disability or death, to a maximum of $50,000. Note that hospital theatre fees are not covered by the policy, and doctor’s fees exceeding the Medicare schedule fee are not insurable under law so are also not covered. 

Any incident or injury should be notified to the Secretary immediately so that claim papers can be arranged and submitted promptly.

Registration Day – 1^st February 2003 - & membership card

On Saturday 1^st February there will be a Registration Day for coaches and boxers to register (or renew their registration) for the 2003 year. When you register, and provide a spare passport-sized photograph, we will produce a laminated membership card giving you free entry to all ACT tournaments for the year, irrespective of whether or not you are participating in the tournament.

In addition, membership cardholders are entitled to a discount of between 10 & 20%  off the retail price of boxing equipment purchased from Planet Max stores in Jamison, Civic and Tuggeranong. Having this card can save you dollars, so make sure you come to the Registration Day or send in your paperwork so that it is received beforehand.

Further details of the Registration Day (including venue) will be advised in the January newsletter. We will have forms available for you to complete on the spot, but under-18 boxers must have the form signed by a parent or guardian. If you need a form posted to you in advance, call 6292 1149. NB You may register in advance by mail if preferred. 

You can pay the registration fee by cash, or cheque or by Visa, Bankcard or Mastercard. New boxers must bring proof of age, and THREE passport-sized photos (one for their Competition Record Book, one for their membership card, one for our records). Existing boxers must bring their Competition Record Book plus one photo for their membership card. Coaches should bring one photo for their membership card.

Financial memberships- new fees

Coaches, officials and boxers are advised that it is in their interests to remain financial members of the association so that their insurance coverage remains continuous. As financial memberships expire on 31 December, coaches in particular are urged to renew their registration immediately the new year commences, so that their Professional Indemnity cover remains in force.

Membership fees for 2003 are as follows: Boxer registration $65; Coach registration $25; Ordinary member $25; Club affiliation $65. Membership/Registration forms for each category of membership will be available on our website by late December – please do NOT use the old forms as they are no longer legally acceptable.

Judge and Referee Training Courses 2003

ACT Boxing proposes to conduct a Judges training course on the weekend 8-9 March. This course is open to any adult, including boxers and coaches wishing to become more familiar with the rules. Those wishing to proceed on to actual tournament judging will trial-score bouts at several tournaments to develop their accuracy before being granted a Judge’s badge.

A refresher seminar for existing judges and referees is planned for Sunday 9th February and a training course for new referees is planned for early in the year. For more information, contact the office on 6292 1149.

L1 coaching Courses in 2003

ACT Boxing will conduct a number of Level One Boxing Coaching courses in 2003. Some of the courses will be held over a single weekend, others on consecutive Sundays. The proposed dates are as follows: Sun 12th & Sun 19^th January; Sat 12th and Sun 13^th April; Sun 6^th & Sun 13thJuly; Sat 6th & Sun 7^th September; Sat 15^th & Sun 16^th November. These courses are open to any adult, and fees apply. 

Enrolment forms are available online or by calling 6292 1149. Pre-payment at least one week in advance is mandatory. 

When course graduates have completed 30 hours of supervised practice assisting with boxing or kickboxing coaching, their name is registered with the National Coach Accreditation Scheme at the Australian Institute of Sport. Course graduates may request recognition of prior practical experience provided it can be certified satisfactorily.

Oceania Titles, Arafura Games, National Golden Gloves 2003

The Oceania Titles will be held in Tahiti from 6-10 May. The Australian Team will mostly consist of the 2003 national silver medallists, with most of the gold medallists being sent to other international competitions. Selection decisions will be made after the Australian Championships in March, on the recommendation of the national coach. 

The Arafura Games will be held in Darwin from 17-24 May. Each state including the ACT is entitled to send a team, and the Board of ACT Boxing will consider this option in the new year.

The Australian Golden Gloves will be held as a fundraiser for the W.A. Olympic Committee in Perth on 7 June 2003.  Most of the national gold and silver medallists from the Australian Championships are expected on the programme.

A big “thank you” to those who made it all happen in 2002

Since ACT Boxing became fully responsible for running the sport in January, we have seen significant growth in numbers of coaches, officials and boxers (including women); achieved a gold & a silver medal at the Australian Championships, and a Commonwealth Games team place; initiated the introduction of a Masters Division; put in place insurance cover for coaches, officials & players; & developed the Level 1 coaching course so it can be the model for a national syllabus. 

Many hands have contributed to this success, all of them voluntary. Thank you to everyone who has contributed their time and energy to help us do so well in our first year of independent operation. We hope you have a relaxing break over Christmas/New Year and we look forward to working together in 2003 to achieve even greater success for amateur boxing in the Capital Territory.

Major changes to amateur boxing rules effective January 2003

There have been some changes to weights and other rules, which become effective in 1^st January 2003. This article outlines the changes to the best of our knowledge as at publication date. 

Changes to Boxing Australia’s rules

RULE 3 – AGE DIVISIONS AT AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

Only the following divisions shall proceed to Australian Championships competition:
(a) Senior males 
(b) Senior females
(c) Under-19 males (“Junior males”)
(d) Under-19 females (“Junior females”)
(e) Under-17 males (“Cadets”)
(f) Under-15 males (“Schoolboys”)

A boxer must be within the specified age limits for his or her division on the first day of the weigh-in at the championship.  With the agreement of his or her State/Territory Association, a boxer who is aged 17-18 years may elect to compete as a Senior. 

RULE 6 – COMPETITION WEIGHTS WITHIN AUSTRALI A
(a) Males aged 17 and over
The weight divisions used within Australia for Males who are 17 years of age and above shall be as per international rules, being 48, 51, 54, 57, 60, 64, 69, 75, 81, 91, & 91+ kilograms.