Seasons Greetings from the President

Boxing ACT wishes all its “friends of boxing” a Happy and Safe Christmas and New Year.  The Board has worked tirelessly and diligently during 2003 to promote a high standard of service to your Association. 

I wish to thank all sponsors, officials, coaches, boxers and volunteers, and their family of supporters and friends for the dedication they have shown to our sport and its promotion to such successful levels.

The tournaments in which you have participated this year have provided the best competition available throughout the Eastern States of Australia.  You have lead the way with the introduction of female boxing, Under 14 competition and Masters events. 

With 2004 bringing us the Australian Titles and the Athens Olympics plus plenty of local competition we will continue to strive for excellence in the sport and seek your continued support through these challenges. 

Best Wishes

Rob Barron, President Boxing ACT

Coach re-registration for 2004

Annual registration of coaches is mandatory; renewals must be in by 5 Feb to maintain continuity of professional indemnity cover. Registration forms are on our website, or call our office for a copy to be sent to you. Coaches cannot do corners unless registered and wearing an ACT badge. This is a legal & insurance requirement.

Boxer registration for 2004 – do it early

Boxer registrations expire on 31 December 2003. Boxers must register at least 2 weeks before a tournament. Registration forms are now available on our website. Please note that if you omit any of the information or items required for registration, your papers will be posted back to you unprocessed. Please take the time to do it properly the first time. If you want to box at the Trials on 22 February, you must get your registration papers in to us by 8 February at the latest.

Applications for ACT Coaching Team for 2004 Nationals

Applications are invited for the ACT Coaching Team to the Australian Championships in Adelaide (25-27 March). There will be one Team Coach, two Assistant Coaches, and one Manager. Coaching applicants must be registered as a coach with Boxing ACT at the time of nomination. Written applications are required by 11 January, as the team will be selected on 14^th January. 

2004 Selection Trials for Australian Championships

The 22 February tournament will also be the selection trials to choose the ACT Team to the Australian Championships (Adelaide, 25-27 March). Boxers MUST have their registration up to date at least two weeks beforehand. Only ACT-registered boxers who weigh in on 22 February are eligible to be considered for selection. The full selection procedure is available online at http://boxingact.org.au, under Documents, then Policies. There should be room for non-selection bouts at this show also.

Medical Association continues attacks on boxing

The AMA continues to attack the sport. They have written to the ACT Chief Minister seeking a ban on under-14 boxers here, as part of their strategy to ban boxing altogether. Please write a short letter to Jon Stanhope c/- the ACT Assembly, Canberra, asking him to support the right of young people to choose their sport.

Our new office phone and fax numbers

In January 2004, Boxing ACT will move into an office in ACT Sports House, at 100 Maitland Street, Hackett. Sports House is home to about 20 ACT and national sports associations. Our new telephone number will be 6249 6333 and our new fax number will be 6249 6399. Our postal address remains unchanged – PO Box W97 Wanniassa 2903. 

The move to Sports House gives us much needed space for our office equipment, filing system, stationery supplies, tournament equipment, training equipment, etc. We will have access to reproduction facilities and meeting and training rooms. We do have staffing for the office, so phone messages and email will be checked after hours as at present. If you leave a message on our answering service,  give an after-hours number so we can call you back.

Results of 2003 ACT Titles

Full results of the ACT Titles are on our website. Congratulations to all who took part. The winners (and current ACT champions) are: Snr Female 54kg Novice - Donna Williamson. Snr Female 63kg Novice - Carmel Pentland. Snr Male 75kg Novice - Matthew Ganter. Snr Male 91kg Novice - Adam Cranfield. Snr Male 64kg Open - Aaron Reid. Snr Male 81kg Open - Simon Mitchell.

Membership renewals – judges and referees, board members

Referees and judges, and Board members, are reminded that membership must be renewed promptly in the new year. Unfinancial members cannot act as Board members or do R&J duties. Ordinary membership forms are available from our website or can be posted or faxed on request.

BOXING ACT’S CALENDAR FOR 2004