Canberra Boxing Bulletin - Edition 39 - January 2005

This edition of the Bulletin has some important information about registration, selections, and our calendar of events for the year. Boxers, coaches, clubs and individuals who were members in 2004 will also find enclosed a registration  or membership form for 2005, and an information sheet which you should retain.

EARLY-BIRD REGISTRATION DISCOUNT FOR BOXERS & COACHES

Registration as an ACT boxer or coach must be done on the 2005 form (also available on our website). Old forms cannot be accepted. Fees for coaches and boxers have increased, but if registrations received before 29 January  pay $20 less than the new fee.  

Coaches and boxers who provide an extra passport-style photo when registering will receive a Pass enabling them to attend our ACT shows without charge when they are not participating.

ACT REGISTRATION/MEMBERSHIP FEES FOR 2005

The registration/membership fees for 2005 are as follows:

Boxer $80 (less $20 if register by 29 January)

Coach $60 (less $20 if register by 29 January)

Club affiliation $100; Individual member $10

To compete at the 12 Feb show, you must send in your registration papers before 29 January.  A boxer who also registers as a coach only pays the one fee ($80 total).

2005 ACT TOURNAMENT DATES

Boxing ACT's official tournaments for 2005 will all be held at the Italo-Australian Club, 78 Franklin Street, Forrest EXCEPT FOR THE 12 FEB SHOW, WHICH IS AT THE AUDITORIUM, WANNIASSA. Three shows are on Saturday evening, four on Sunday afternoon. Dates are: Sat 12 Feb (6pm), Sun 1 May (3pm), Sat 18 Jun (6pm), Sat 30 Jul (6pm), Sun 11 Sep (3pm), Sun 23 Oct (3pm) and Sun 27 Nov (3pm) (ACT Titles). The full ACT calendar is on the back page of this newsletter. 

The February tournament includes selection bouts for the ACT team to the Australian Championships, rules for which appear later in this newsletter. You cannot be chosen to represent the ACT unless you weigh-in on time at the selection trials on 12 Feb.

NOMINATIONS FOR ACT COACHING TEAM TO AUST CHAMPIONSHIPS

Nominations are called for the ACT Coaching Team for the Australian Championships in Perth (31 Mar - 3 Apr). Nominations for the positions of Team Coach, one Assistant Coach, and a Team Manager will close on 18 January 2005. The Board will appoint the Team Coach at its 19 January meeting; the remaining officials will be appointed shortly thereafter. Nominations should include a summary of relevant experience.

2006 COMMONWEALTH GAMES - SELECTIONS THIS OCTOBER

The Commonwealth Games boxing events will be held in Bendigo 15-26 March 2006. The Boxing Australia selection event for the CG team will be held in October 2005.

ARAFURA GAMES (DARWIN) - 14-21 MAY 2005

The biennial Arafura Games held in Darwin will run from 14-21 May this year. We are looking at sending an ACT team of male & female seniors (17-33).  More details soon.

MASTERS BOXING - OVERSEAS TRIP

Boxers aged 34+ can compete against another Masters boxer within 5 years of their own age. We understand NSW coach John Astill is taking a Masters team to England and USA in August 2005. Anybody interested please contact John direct on 4981 9013

ASC SPORT LEADERSHIP GRANTS FOR WOMEN

Aimed at providing women with an opportunity to undertake certified sport leadership training - eg. coaching, officiating, club development and management, committee skills. Successful applicants receive a one-off grant of up to $5,000 for individuals (applications must be through an incorporated organisation). Applications close Friday 28 January 2005, forms at www.ausport.gov.au/women/grants.asp

AIS RESIDENTIAL SCHOLARSHIPS FOR FIRST QUARTER OF 2005

Adam Forsyth (WA 91kg) and Jarrod Fletcher (QLD 69kg) have returned to the AIS, with  Michael Hatwell (WA 64kg) and Daniel Baff (NSW 81kg) joining them. Scholarships will be reviewed in April after the Australian Championships.

Rules for Selection of ACT Team to 2005 Australian Championships

1. VENUE, DATE AND TIMES OF ACT SELECTION TRIALS

1.1 The ACT Selection Trials for the 2005 Australian Championships team will be held in Canberra on Saturday 12 February 2005 at THE AUDITORIUM, Ricardo St., Wanniassa (Erindale). Weigh-in is 12-2pm, pre-bout medicals 4.30-5.30pm, and boxing commences at 6pm. Arriving at weigh-in or medical after the closing times may result in your exclusion from the trials.

2. AGE DIVISIONS AT 2005 AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

·        Under 17 (ages 14-16 incl) (males); for the Australian Championships the under-15 division no longer exists, and the under-17 division is expanded to include 14 year olds)

·        Under 19 (ages 17-18 incl) (males and females);

·        Senior (ages 17-33 incl) (males and females).

3. DETERMINATION OF AGE

 3.1 At the 2005 ACT Selection Trials, boxers must compete in the age division which will apply to them at the time of the 2005 Australian Championships.

 3.2 To compete in the relevant age division at the Australian Championships, each boxer must be within the appropriate age range on the morning of the first weigh-in at the Australian Championships on 31 March 2005. BA allows no flexibility in relation to this rule.

4. NOMINATIONS REQUIRED AT WEIGHIN

4.1 Nominations for the 2005 ACT Selection Trials are restricted to boxers who are registered and financial with Boxing ACT.

4.2 Registration as an ACT boxer must be completed at least 2 weeks prior to the Selection Trials, and at weigh-in your Competition Record Book must show you have had a full medical examination within the last year. You cannot register or have a full medical at the tournament venue.

4.3 Nominations for the 2005 ACT Selection Trials must be made in writing immediately after the boxer has weighed in.

4.4 Boxers who have not weighed in on Saturday 12 February 2005 cannot nominate for the trials.

4.5 There is no ‘novice’ category in the Selection Trials. Nominees are regarded as ‘open’ category boxers.

5. SELECTION OF ACT COACHING TEAM

5.1 Nominations for the position of ACT Team Coach, one Assistant Coach, and a Team Manager for the 2005 Australian Championships will close on 18 January 2005.

5.2 The Board will appoint the Team Coach at its 19 January 2005 meeting; the remaining officials will be appointed shortly thereafter.

6. SELECTION TRIALS WINNERS

6.1 The winner in each weight category in the Under-17, Under-19, and Senior age divisions at the 2005 ACT Selection Trials will be selected to go to the 2005 Australian Championships, subject to meeting the conditions of selection.

6.2 The winners of the Selection Trials cannot be challenged for the selection.

7. PROTESTS

7.1 Each contest at the Selection Trials will be assessed by a Jury of three judges in addition to the five bout judges. The jury will be appointed prior to the commencement of the event by the Referee & Judge Coordinator. The senior R&J member on the jury will act as the jury chairperson.

7.2 A protest against a decision at the Selection Trials must be lodged with the Jury Chairperson within 30 minutes of the decision’s announcement, along with a deposit of $100 cash.

7.3 The outcome of a protest will be determined by the Jury. If the protest is upheld, the deposit will be refunded, otherwise it will be paid to Boxing ACT’s account.

8. INSUFFICIENT NOMINATIONS

8.1 If the only nominee in a category of the Selection Trials is the current ACT, Australian or Oceania champion in any weight division, he or she shall be selected for the 2005 Australian Championships team. The boxer cannot be challenged for the selection.

8.2 If the only nominee in a category of the Selection Trials is not the current ACT, Australian or Oceania champion in any weight division, the Board may consider selecting that boxer upon the recommendation of the Team Coach following assessment of the boxers’ experience and skill in consultation with the boxer’s coach. The boxer cannot be challenged if selected.

8.3 If there is no nomination in a particular category of the Selection Trials, there will be no ACT representative in that category.

9. CONDITIONS OF SELECTION

9.1 Selection is conditional on the boxer acknowledging that he or she will be responsible for funding part or all of the travel and accommodation costs and a significant part of the cost of uniforms.

9.2 Selection is also conditional on the boxer:

·       maintaining weight for their chosen division

·       maintaining match fitness

·       attending training sessions as required by the ACT Team Coach

·       being available to attend and participate in the Australian Championships

·       signing and complying with the Boxing ACT Code of Conduct

9.3 The boxer must advise the ACT Team Coach immediately of any circumstance that places in doubt their ability to fulfil this undertaking.

10. CANCELLATION OF SELECTION

10.1 On the recommendation of the Team Coach, an ACT Team member may be removed by decision of the Board because of injury, illness, poor progress, failure to attend team training sessions, or unsatisfactory conduct.

10.2 On the recommendation of the Team Coach, an ACT Team member may be removed by decision of the Board because there is no reasonable expectation of at least one other competitor being available in their age/weight division at the Australian Championships.

11. REPLACEMENT OF TEAM MEMBER

11.1 If a boxer selected for the ACT team is removed, or for any other reason becomes unavailable to compete at the Australian Championships, the Board may select in his or her place the runner-up in the Selection Trials, or may determine that no suitable replacement is available. The decision shall be made by the Board of Boxing ACT upon the recommendation of the Team Coach following assessment of the boxer's experience and skill in consultation with the boxer’s coach.

12. PERSONAL COACH AND FAMILY

12.1 The boxer’s personal coach or family members who wish to travel to the Australian Championships shall do so entirely at their own expense.

12.2 The boxer’s personal coach may assist in the boxer’s corner at the Australian Championships only at the discretion of the ACT Team Coach.

13. APPEALS TRIBUNAL

In this section, the term “association” refers to the Board of Boxing ACT Incorporated

A boxer may lodge a notice of appeal against his or her non-selection for the ACT team to the Australian Championships, or against his or her removal from the team. The notice shall be in writing and must be delivered to the Secretary of the association within 72 hours of the announcement of the decision which is being appealed

Within 5 working days of receipt by the association of the notice of appeal, the boxer shall submit to the Secretary of the association a written statement fully setting out the grounds for the appeal, accompanied by a non-refundable deposit of $100 payable to the association

Appeals shall be heard by an independent Appeals Tribunal which shall be appointed by the association upon receipt of a notice of appeal.

Prior to the hearing of the appeal, the association will provide the Appeals Tribunal with a statement of reasons for the decision against which the boxer is appealing

The Tribunal shall consist of a chairperson who shall be a barrister or solicitor, and a second person with a thorough knowledge of the sport. A third person with skills and experience suitable to the Tribunal’s purpose may also be appointed.

No person shall be appointed as a Tribunal member if they hold a position on the Committee or Board of the association, or if their impartiality could reasonably be questioned by virtue of their relationship with the appellant or any other person whose interests may be affected by the outcome of a Tribunal decision.

Should an appellant challenge the impartiality of any member of the Tribunal, that challenge will be determined by the chairperson of the Tribunal and is final

The Tribunal:

·        shall observe the principles of natural justice;

·        is not bound by the rules of evidence;

·        will conduct its hearings with minimal formality and technicality;

·        may conduct its business via telephone or video conferencing;

·        shall only hear complaints where it is satisfied that grounds for appeal exist;

·        shall not permit parties to an appeal to be represented by a barrister or solicitor;

·        shall ensure that any party whose interests may be affected by the outcome of an appeal be invited to appear at any hearing and/or make submissions;

·        shall notify its decision and reasons for same to the parties to the appeal, and to the Secretary of the association;

·        may uphold a selection decision;

·        may declare a selection decision invalid and in such case shall normally refer the matter back to the selection panel for determination in accordance with selection criteria;

·        may declare a selection decision invalid and in exceptional circumstances may substitute its own decision if it considers it to be desirable in the circumstances.

The sole grounds for a boxer to appeal to the Tribunal are that:

·        the selection criteria have not been properly followed; or

·        the boxer was not afforded a reasonable opportunity to satisfy the selection criteria; or

·        the decision was affected by bias; or

·        there was no material on which the original selection decision could reasonably be based.

The decision of the Appeals Tribunal is final.
 

Boxing ACT Calendar 2005

 Sat, 8 Jan 2005 Begin Training Camp

Sun, 16 Jan 2005 End Training Camp

Wed, 19 Jan 2005 Boxing ACT Board meeting

Sat, 29 Jan 2005 Cut-off date for early-bird registration discount

Sun, 6 Feb 2005 Updating Course for existing judges & referees

Sat, 12 Feb 2005 Tournament 1 (selections for nationals) – The Auditorium, Erindale

Wed, 16 Feb 2005 Boxing ACT Board meeting

Sat, 26 Feb 2005 Level One Coach Training Course

Sun, 27 Feb 2005 Level One Coach Training Course

Wed, 16 Mar 2005 Boxing ACT Board meeting

Thu, 31 Mar 2005 Start Australian Championships (Perth)

Sun, 3 Apr 2005 End Australian Championships (Perth)

Wed, 13 Apr 2005 Boxing ACT Board meeting

Sun, 17 Apr 2005 Training course for new judge/referee candidates

Sun, 1 May 2005 Tournament 2 - Italo-Australian Club

Sat, 14 May 2005 Arafura Games commence (Darwin)

Sat, 21 May 2005 Arafura Games conclude (Darwin)

Sun, 29 May 2005 Annual General Meeting & elections for Board

Sun, 5 Jun 2005 Start World Cup, Moscow

Wed, 8 Jun 2005 Boxing ACT Board meeting

Sun, 12 Jun 2005 End World Cup, Moscow

Wed, 15 Jun 2005 (Commence Oceania Titles in PNG - to be confirmed)

Sat, 18 Jun 2005 Tournament 3 - Italo-Australian Club

Mon, 20 Jun 2005 (End Oceania Titles in PNG - to be confirmed)

Sun, 3 Jul 2005 Strategic Planning & Funding workshop

Wed, 6 Jul 2005 Boxing ACT Board meeting

Sat, 30 Jul 2005 Tournament 4 - Italo-Australian Club

Wed, 3 Aug 2005 Boxing ACT Board meeting

Sat, 13 Aug 2005 Level One Coach Training Course

Sun, 14 Aug 2005 Level One Coach Training Course

Sun, 28 Aug 2005 Training course for new judge/referee candidates

Wed, 31 Aug 2005 Boxing ACT Board meeting

Sun, 11 Sep 2005 Tournament 5 - Italo-Australian Club

Wed, 28 Sep 2005 Boxing ACT Board meeting

October (TBA) Selection bouts for Australian team to Commonwealth Games 2006

Sun, 23 Oct 2005 Tournament 6 - Italo-Australian Club

Wed, 26 Oct 2005 Boxing ACT Board meeting

Sat, 5 Nov 2005 Start Senior Championships, China

Sun, 13 Nov 2005 End Senior Championships, China

Wed, 23 Nov 2005 Boxing ACT Board meeting

Sun, 27 Nov 2005 Tournament 7 – ACT Titles - Italo-Australian Club

Sun, 11 Dec 2005 Strategic Planning workshop

Wed, 14 Dec 2005 Boxing ACT Board meeting

·       ACT tournaments are all scheduled to be held at the Italo-Australian Club, 78 Franklin Street, Forrest except the 12 Feb show which is at The Auditorium, Wanniassa. Please note that three shows are on Saturday evenings, and four are on Sunday afternoons.

·       Saturday tournaments weigh-in 12-2pm, medicals 4.30-5.30pm, boxing commences 6pm. 

·       Sunday tournaments weigh-in 11am-12pm, medicals 2-2.30pm, boxing commences 3pm

·       Some international tournament dates are provided above for your information. Boxing Australia may not necessarily send a team to all of these events, and may schedule teams to other events.

·       For enquiries about coaching training courses, email coaching@boxingact.org.au or phone our office 6249 6333. Coach training courses require pre-payment of the $160 fee ($80 in some instances) at least 2 weeks before the course date. We expect details of the new Level 2 national course to be available shortly, for those coaches wishing to progress.

·       For enquiries about becoming a judge, referee or timekeeper, email officials@boxingact.org.au or phone 6249 6333.  Adults of either gender can become judges and referees, and former boxers are especially welcome to do so. Progression to national and international accreditation is available. Any financial member of Boxing ACT can take part in a judging course for their own information.