TOWARDS 2012 AND BEYOND The Amateur Association of Annual Review 2010/11 CONTENTS FOREWORD

P2 The Association of England (ABAE) – Mission – Vision KEITH WALTERS, CHAIRMAN, AMATEUR BOXING ASSOCIATION OF ENGLAND P3 Foreword: Keith Walters, Chairman, ABAE

P4 Introduction: Mark Abberley, Chief Executive Officer, ABAE

P6 Increasing participation

P9 Delivering a quality experience

P11 Performance and excellence

P13 Building on success

P14 The way forward

AMATEUR BOXING ASSOCIATION OF ENGLAND

The Amateur Boxing Association board of directors and a council amateur boxing and enable of England Ltd (ABAE) is the which is responsible for the rules English boxers to excel and win sport’s national governing body. It and regulation of the sport. medals at the and was formed in 1880 and is It oversees a network of 837 other international competitions. responsible for the administration, affiliated amateur boxing clubs To drive and sustain participation development and promotion of and is responsible for the national in amateur boxing through the amateur boxing throughout schools, junior and senior development and provision of a England. It also represents championships. It is also club and venue network that England as a member of the responsible for the delivery of delivers a high quality experience. It is a pleasure to welcome you to very worthwhile contribution to Amateur International Boxing community work and boxing this year’s annual review. On I’d also like to highlight the work amateur boxing through his Association (AIBA) and the fitness programmes both within behalf of the ABAE board and of Rob McCracken and his team in vision, energy and drive. European Boxing Council (EUBC) boxing clubs, schools, sports council, I’d like to start by preparing our senior athletes for and is a shareholder in the venues and community settings. thanking all of our members, the Olympic success; the GB Boxing Finally, I would like to offer my British Amateur Boxing ABAE staff and Sport England, programme continues to achieve sincere thanks to the boxers, Association (BABA). MISSION Louverlite and adidas for their outstanding results. coaches, clubs, officials and The ABAE continually strives to continued support. volunteers whose talent and hard The ABAE is funded by Sport develop the sport through effective I am delighted to welcome our new work have contributed to making England and, within this governance and strong leadership I have been thrilled with recent Chief Executive Officer Mark the sport one that is sustainable, funding, is responsible for the ensuring that all members can positive developments within the Abberley to the organisation. I vibrant and which continues to delivery of the Whole Sport Plan personally develop through organisation. 2010/2011 has been have no doubt that under Mark’s develop and excel, and which I 2009-13 for amateur boxing. amateur boxing. At the heart of another successful year which has leadership the ABAE will be intend to continue to support in This aims to grow and sustain the ABAE’s business and seen the sport continue to grow successful in enabling the sport to any way I can. participation in the sport and operations lies the principle of and achieve. The success of our flourish. create opportunities and pathways treating everyone fairly and athletes in all categories has been for the most talented athletes to ethically and ensuring that particularly noteworthy, and is a On behalf of the ABAE’s members I progress to the elite level. amateur boxing is a sport for all. reflection of the success of our would also like to pay special The ABAE is a non-profit VISION talent pathway and the hard work thanks to our former chief organisation and is overseen by a To be a world leader in the sport of of the England coaches. executive Paul King, who made a

THE AMATEUR BOXING ASSOCIATION OF ENGLAND ANNUAL REVIEW 2010/11 03 As we move ever closer to the 2012 Olympics the sport will have an INTRODUCTION opportunity to showcase its MARK ABBERLEY, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, AMATEUR BOXING ASSOCIATION OF ENGLAND success at the highest level.

I write this contribution to our have flourished, as highlighted the future of the sport for the next non-contact boxing; 2363 schools traditional boxing clubs and from The ABAE has continued to drive annual report against the below, as have the performances of generation and I have taken time, have links with a boxing club and the growing interest in boxing as quality in the last 12 months. The background of not only England boxers at both senior and towards the end of this report, to 20 universities or colleges have both a competitive and growing network of Boxing considerable change but also development level, both male and highlight the way forward for established affiliated clubs. conditioning sport. We should Development Officers (BDOs) have considerable opportunity for the female, on the international stage. sustainable success in all parts of Although the sport is on track to grow and lever this membership to now helped 25 clubs to achieve the organisation and amateur boxing We have also initiated a our organisation. meet growth targets, the ABAE support our success and our young Clubmark quality standard and as a sport. governance structure of experienced a short period of boxers in the future. accessed £352,913 for club and reversed participation in 2010/11 community projects in the last 12 commissions to support, and GROWING OUR SPORT – and as such is driving forward months. Having recently joined the provide informed PARTICIPATION AND SUSTAINING PARTICIPATION with plans to accelerate and retain organisation it is also significant recommendations, to our board MEMBERSHIP AND ENJOYMENT IN growth in participation. Three of Great Britain’s top male that this commentary is provided and council. BOXING Amateur boxing continues to be one Not all of the people either and female boxers spoke at the on a year in which I was not in the The success story on participation of the sports achieving its growth participating in competitive House of Commons reception role of CEO, and I believe it is As we move ever closer to the is matched by the positive feedback targets, and according to Sport boxing or, alternatively, using hosted by the ABAE and BABA. appropriate to highlight and London 2012 Olympics the sport of general participants, club England’s most recent Active People boxing as a means to get fit or recognise the work of my will have an opportunity to members and the talent pool, who Survey, was one of only five out of condition for another sport, are The Capital Investment gave an 82.1 satisfaction rating in predecessor, Paul King, for his showcase its success at the highest 46 sports to deliver a statistically members of the ABAE. We need to Programme has so far been 2011. contribution to the growth and level. But this is also a time when significant increase, rising to ensure we sustain the organisation allocated to nine clubs, providing a development of the sport during boxing must not be complacent. 119,900. Approximately 27% of going forward, to grow the range of refurbishments, The main driver for this the time he was involved. The sporting landscape will these individuals are members of membership of the ABAE and to extensions and new build projects satisfaction level is the exertion inevitable change post 2012 and boxing clubs. refocus our efforts to operate with that will not only enhance and fitness, and release and Despite the many changes and we must look to continue to a member focus and philosophy. provision for existing members but diversion the sport provides challenges that the ABAE has challenge ourselves as a sport and Club numbers have grown from will also grow community participants with, which is down faced during the twelve months prepare for the future. 772 to 837, which is important in It is imperative that we use the participation. to the activity at a grass roots level from 2010 to 2011 it has order to ensure our financial legacy of the 2012 Olympic Games provided by coaches and continued, in some areas to thrive Amateur Boxing has many sustainability going forward. In to attract and retain more volunteers. and prosper. Many areas of the historical stories to tell but we schools and education settings, the members from both within ABAE development programme must also ensure that we secure sport continues to thrive through

THE AMATEUR BOXING ASSOCIATION OF ENGLAND ANNUAL REVIEW 2010/11 05 The work of the Boxing Development Team to increase participation:

314 schools participating in non boxing contact 431 young leaders and volunteers trained and sustained 4361 young people engaged in sessions delivered by new young leaders mentored by club coaches 20 affiliated HE / FE based clubs 112 new projects were established for 16 years + participants and 11662 new were adult participants engaged 2071 new females engaged in boxing introductory programmes 26 new clubs established

A Young Officials Development working with colleges and national charity Olympic themed Officer (a voluntary position) was universities to establish new fundraising programme; the Gold appointed in January for 42 weeks programmes. For instance the Challenge. So far 45 ABAE to support the Referees and establishment of the Balby Carr affiliated clubs have joined the INCREASING Judges Commission with the Boxing Academy in Doncaster, the programme. piloting and establishment of a University of East London working Young Officers Course and to with West Ham ABC to establish a In addition local BDOs are recruit, and deploy a target of 100 new boxing scholarship scheme for working with local clubs to boost PARTICIPATION new Young Officers. boxers interested in attending adult participation through UEL, and at the University of innovative projects. For example in GROWING PARTICIPATION diverse spectrum of projects established link with a boxing Activity to build relationships and Derby, where boxing is provided as Essex a boxing roadshow was held targeting a broad range of children club. The network of Boxing opportunities with universities and part of Active University funded at Chelmsford Shopping Centre. and adults and specific groups Development Officers (BDOs) is at further education Colleges activity. Over 50 new adults took part in a including people with disabilities, Over the last 12 months, the BDOs the centre of the ABAE’s strategy continues to be a priority for the boxing activity because of it and to grow participation. In women, black and minority ethnic have exceeded the target of 160 in ABAE and in 2010/2011 20 INCREASING PARTICIPATION 162 members of public had a go on 2010/2011 the number of BDOs, groups and the disadvantaged. the Whole Sport Plan and worked affiliations have been established OF PEOPLE AGED 16 YEARS a boxing judging simulator and thanks to our partner funders, They do not take a ‘one size fits all with 314 new schools to deliver with Universities and colleges AND OVER emulated the skills required for approach and the type and scope of non-contact boxing programmes. making a significant contribution judging competition. The grew to 14, covering Essex, Kent, This age group is a priority for the projects over the last 12 months The main purpose of working with to adult participation. outcomes of the roadshow include Suffolk, Leicestershire and ABAE development team due to has reflected local needs and the schools is to ensure a young In addition BDOs have been 20 new adults becoming members Rutland, Sheffield, Doncaster, the drive of Active People and the make-up of the areas where the person has a positive experience of at local boxing clubs, new schemes Bradford, , Derbyshire, opportunities this age group BDOs operate. Most work in areas the sport and can join an affiliated of work with boxing being Bolton, , Central and East provide to boost club membership of high social deprivation and club as a result. Working with provided for hockey clubs for London, the Western Counties and and revenue for the sport. the Home Counties of much of their work has used schools and further education alternative training. Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and amateur boxing to address issues establishments enables the ABAE Nationally the ABAE has developed North Buckinghamshire. such as obesity, crime and truancy an opportunity to recruit, train a new studio fitness programme TARGET GROUPS and demonstrates the sport’s and deploy new young leaders and called BOX which includes a 2 day A huge number of projects The introduction of new BDOs in ability to help to combat a range of volunteers. plus assessment training course targeting special interest groups the South East and East of social problems. that is REPS endorsed for level 2 have been developed across the England has seen a notable rise in Young Leadership and gym instructors. This programme BDO network and contributed to participation measured through EDUCATION Volunteering projects in Bradford, will be implemented from above target increases in across- the Active People survey.; once a Increasing participation via Manchester, Liverpool, September and will boost the-board participation and week participation of adults (16 schools, further and higher Warrington, Doncaster, Luton, and participation of introductory and amongst black, minority and years +) has risen by 6,200 people education has been one of the South Gloucestershire delivered fitness related boxing in the ethnic (BME) groups, women, in the East and by 3,000 in the ABAEs biggest successes and the non-contact boxing sessions to leisure and fitness sector. people in disadvantaged South East. latest reports by the Department of 4361 young people by club coaches communities and those with Children, Schools and Families and 431 newly trained and The ABAE has also joined the disabilities. The BDOs have worked on a (DCSF) 2363 of schools had an sustained young leaders.

THE AMATEUR BOXING ASSOCIATION OF ENGLAND ANNUAL REVIEW 2010/11 07 link has also been established between the centre and Earlsfield ABC to ensure sustainability and pathways. DELIVERING A QUALITY

WOMEN A number of successful projects to EXPERIENCE attract women have been delivered locally with 2071 females accessing projects. Examples are as follows:

The Manchester BDO has been active in encouraging 11 clubs to be open to females. Two key areas The Bolton Metropolitan Council by Kent Housing Group and of support offered have been the Mobile Boxing Arena has been an Sanctuary Housing Association encouragement of female coaches excellent example of on outreach and is developing positive links and the provision of the regional project that has taken boxing to between boxing clubs and tenants. squad for women and girls being the people and reached various This has included the development held regularly in Manchester. The new and often excluded members of community boxing project for 5 progression in Manchester is of the public. The Arena has – 19 year olds and ‘Dads & Lads’ evident in Female Championship engaged with the Response classes in two housing areas of entries from 0 in 2009 to 2 in 2010 Juvenile Team, local Police, Youth high deprivation. and 6 in 2011. Offending Team, local leisure and community centres, Bolton Council BLACK AND MINORITY In Central London all 7 boroughs of Mosques, and Community ETHNIC GROUPS have female-only introductory Cohesion partnership. sessions run by female coaches The ABAE has engaged with with pathways into local clubs. Amateur boxing’s success in coaches. In addition 80 coaches Sporting Equals to look at ways to This programme has reached 60 VOLUNTEERING ECONOMICALLY DEPRIVED delivering a user satisfaction have been supported with coaching further engage with black and new female participants. At a national level, the national rating of 82.1 in Sport England’s bursaries from funding partners COMMUNITIES minority ethnic communities. The development team working with most recent Satisfaction Survey is such as the National Skills The Future Jobs Fund programme start of this process has been to The BDO in Leicestershire and Sport England’s Centre for testament to the broad range of Academy and London Mayor’s came to an end in the spring and review the current work of the Rutland used National Women’s Excellence for Volunteering and initiatives the ABAE has Legacy Fund to assist them to the ABAE via the National Skills development team and explore Day to highlight women’s boxing Skills Active established a new implemented throughout the year cover the costs of coach education Academy for Sport and Active good practice examples. Such as in several clubs leading to 7 more vision for the development of to improve the quality of service courses Leisure (NSA) supported. 12 young people completed the clubs now offering women’s boxing Volunteers and Volunteering. The and facilities available to Contender AM Box programme at evenings with 3 of the 7 having main focus to start with has been participants. At a national level, the The FJF programme provided Clapham Islamic Centre and the sessions led by a female coach. the recruitment and development development of the coach boxing education training and 6 targeted female sessions now Boxing programmes have been of volunteers at a grass roots level, education workforce remains a month work placement being developed with the Centre created and assistance offered to MORE COACHES DELIVER supporting 281 volunteers in the priority and to date 26 coach opportunities for the long term focused on Contender AM Box. A single sex schools. HIGHER STANDARDS last 12 months. educators have been trained and unemployed. In turn, the Boxing There are currently 2194 qualified, 23 have been trained as assessors. Activators provided an additional active and affiliated coaches workforce in communities to providing amateur boxing at all The National Club and Coach increase participation. 27 young levels of the sport but Manager has also established a people were provided with this predominantly at a grass roots new Coaching Delivery Plan, opportunity with 19 of them club level. This reflects the Standards for Coaching in Schools completing the 6 month excellent work done by the and coaching development work opportunity and 13 have gone on regional associations of the ABAE with pilot County Sports to find employment or have and the Boxing Development Partnerships in and returned to education. Officers (BDOs) to increase Greater Manchester. numbers and raise standards. Locally BDOs are responding to The Lead Coach Educator, he has local community need and are Effective local partnerships provided 15 coaches with the working with new partners to between the regional associations senior coaching course. create new opportunities. Such as and the BDOs has resulted in 207 the Kent BDO, who is part funded newly qualified and retained

THE AMATEUR BOXING ASSOCIATION OF ENGLAND ANNUAL REVIEW 2010/11 09 AMATEUR BOXING CLUBS ACCREDITED WITH CLUBMARK IN 2010/2011 2010 Mickey’s Boxing Academy - Yorkshire Y.I.P ABC - Yorkshire Kingfisher ABC - Eastern Counties Norwich Lads ABC - Eastern Counties Vauxhall Motors ABC - Merseyside and Cheshire SUSTAINABLE CLUBS National Facilities and Investment Manager supported by a Capital Kirkby ABC - Merseyside and Ensuring the long term Investment Panel. Cheshire sustainability of amateur boxing Islington ABC - London clubs is a critical objective and the Round 1 and 2 projects have been Tamworth ABC - Midland progress of Clubmark in committed with a further round to Counties 2010/2011 represented a be allocated in the next 12 months. Gloves ABC - North West significant step in this direction. Projects include extensions, to Clubmark is a cross-sport quality Halifax ABC - Yorkshire refurbishments to new build accreditation that recognises safe, Merlin ABC - Midlands projects. All projects have been effective, and child-friendly sports required to meet a criteria 2011 clubs. The ABAE Clubmark including being an affiliated club, indicates that a boxing club has a Newquay ABC - Western Counties achieving Clubmark within a year, junior section and meets quality Salisbury ABC - Merseyside and achieving growing participation standards based on Sport England Cheshire targets, a development plan and criteria covering child protection, Everton Red Triangle ABC - match funding. The clubs delivery of boxing programmes, Merseyside and Cheshire PERFORMANCE benefiting from the funding so far ethnic policies and club Gemini ABC - Merseyside and are St Pancras ABC, Kingfisher management. Cheshire ABC, Birtley Boxing and Young Berinsfield ABC - Home Counties People’s Club, Nemesis ABC, Twenty five clubs have now AND EXCELLENCE Berinsfield ABC, Croxteth ABC, Phoenix Nottingham ABC - secured Clubmark. A review of Lewsey ABC, Oldham Boxing and Midlands The FE / HE sector provides an centres and 2 new sites at all categories and more work will clubs who have had clubmark for Personal Development Centre, Phoenix ABC - Merseyside and opportunity to develop boxers as and Bolton Colleges. be initiated to continue to develop at least a year has shown benefits Bradford Police and College Cheshire athletes and as learners and in and improve the talent in increasing membership, Boxing Academy. Tom Hill ABC - Yorkshire doing so retain and progress them development system both in accessing funding, having a higher Boxing was one of only two sports in the sport. The newly established England, and alongside the Home profile and running a more that achieved a statistically Amateur Boxing Advanced Nations, with Great Britain. effective club. significant increase in the number Apprenticeship in Sporting of participants entering Excellence programme is Around these squads the elite Boxing Development Officers have competitions and this is a credit to instrumental to the ABAE’s talent pool increased from 340 had more of a focus on club all the regions who work tirelessly support and development over the investment in the new future of to provide and support competitive athletes to 518 and more last 12 months, which has included young adult boxers. AASE sites led experiences for the boxers. opportunities were created for the establishing 26 new clubs, by Filton College and the England best male and female boxers to test organising 19 club development Colleges ABA have been THE TALENT PATHWAY themselves internationally and workshops, and supporting 91 established at Filton College in compete for England. The focus Outside the competitive framework clubs with development planning. Bristol. City College Brighton and now is to work more regularly and Hove, The Priory School in amateur boxing has continued to more consistently with talent pool Orpington, South Leicestershire create opportunities for talented athletes, and their coaches, so that INVESTING IN athletes to move through the INFRASTRUCTURE College and Bradford College, talent development and preparation supporting 48 boxers with system and progress to the elite of athletes for both England and The new £937,417 Capital potential talent in year 1 of a 2 level. Team GB on an international stage Investment Programme (CIP) year course. In September 2011, and within the context the format funded by Sport England was new recruits will start the At a national level a squad of international competition is launched in 2010 managed by the programme across the 5 existing structure has started to develop for increasingly ‘world class’.

THE AMATEUR BOXING ASSOCIATION OF ENGLAND ANNUAL REVIEW 2010/11 11 BUILDING ON SUCCESS BUILDING ON GROWTH IN SUSTAINING PARTICIPATION 2010/11. We have invested in a PARTICIPATION THROUGH A QUALITY new database system which will The ABAE is currently completing EXPERIENCE more accurately manage information and facilitate the a plan to accelerate and retain The recruitment of volunteers will sharing of best practice across growth focusing on the 16 plus be driven through the Volunteer clubs, schools, community groups age category with a target of an Development strategy via Boxing and other partners. additional 12,000 new participants Development Officers and greater over the next 18 months. This will support will be given to key It is now of utmost importance be achieved via: volunteers at regional level with that we use this database to the valuable roles they undertake. G Establishing and developing capture the right information in the right way thus enabling us to London 2012 provides a platform WOMEN’S EU CHAMPIONSHIPS, AIBA JUNIOR WORLD growth programmes linked with The Capital Investment attract and retain more members to further focus our efforts and JUNE 2011, POLAND CHAMPIONSHIPS, KAZAKHSTAN, clubs with the capacity to grow Programme will make more than through communication and commitment on the talent of the Gold: AUGUST 2011 and succeed in priority areas. £307,417 available to amateur G information. future and prepare for both a , Rotunda ABC Gold: Implementing and expanding boxing clubs next year to improve successful and high profile Nicola Adams, Haringey ABC Pat McCormack, Birtley ABC BOX; the official fitness boxing and refurbish facilities. The ABAE in Scotland On a corporate level, we have Bronze: Silver: programme of the ABAE. will launch the National Facilities and identify the next set of G recognised that an increase in Chantelle Cameron, King’s Heath Isaac Macleod, Sunderland ABC Developing fitness and Strategy providing a clear athletes who can compete for public funding for the cycle ABC conditioning boxing for other direction on the development and places at Rio 2016 and beyond. 2009-13 requires us to further As a commitment to the long term sports / in other sport settings investment priorities of boxing EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS, JUNE with particular emphasis on strengthen our governance The ambition must be for development of athletes in facilities. 2011, football and rugby. standards and we must continue excellence in all we do. England, the ABAE has introduced Silver: G forward with a renewed talent development camps for both Developing the boxing A further 15 clubs will be , Salisbury ABC commitment to ethical male and female athletes. Two workforce to enable growth supported to gain the Club Mark OPPORTUNITIES TO Bronze: initial camps have already taken capacity and high quality management and operations, COMPETE INTERNATIONALLY Charlie Edwards, Lynn ABC accreditation, and a focused club place and were a huge success. experiences ensuring retention. transparency of communication England’s boxers in all age groups development piece of work will G Expanding on the Mobile Boxing and robust decision making. have continued to perform at an JUNIOR EUROPEAN take place helping targeting clubs Arena concept to reach into exceptional level, securing 18 CHAMPIONSHIPS, JUNE 2011, The camps, which will become a to achieve their goals whether it be Structurally our governance model medals in major international regular fixture, are aimed at targeted communities “Urban to be a performance club or a Box” and also provide a includes a board, with independent competitions: Gold: identifying and developing growing community development non executive expertise, our Isaac Macleod, Sunderland ABC potential boxing talent in “Roaming Rings Boxing club. council and our commissions. It is AIBA WOMEN’S WORLD Pat McCormack, Birtley ABC preparation for international Roadshow” to reach the mass CHAMPIONSHIPS, SEPTEMBER 2010, Silver: success, resulting in a robust population. DELIVERING EXCELLENCE important that, to meet the G challenges of the future and BARBADOS Luke McCormack, Birtley ABC talent pathway. Utilising the further and higher The roll-out of the Advanced maximise the opportunities that Silver: education sector to retain Apprenticeship in Sporting this future may present, all these Nicola Adams, Haringey ABC existing boxers and develop new Excellence (AASE) will continue to governance structures and the Savannah Marshall, Hartlepool environments for growth. be a major priority in the next 12 Headland ABC G people within them are committed Improving facilities for months and will significantly to best practice on decision increasing and retaining enhance the pathways available to COMMONWEALTH GAMES, making, their roles, their participation. talented young athletes. The idea OCTOBER 2010, responsibilities and the decision of using sporting excellence to Gold: making that will take the sport Raising the number of young drive personal development, which Tom Stalker, Salisbury ABC people taking part in amateur forward. Simon Vallily, South Bank ABC sits at the heart of AASE, is central boxing remains a priority for clubs to what the ABAE stands for as an Silver: We must operate as one Bradley Saunders, South Durham and therefore it is a priority for the organisation and we hope this organisation and work more ABC ABAE too. Nationally a new programme will expand in future closely and more consistently Callum Smith, Rotunda ABC curriculum approach to boxing in years. The programme will aim to across all our functions and all our Anthony Ogogo, Triple A ABC schools will be created and the offer 120 new places in September regions to secure our long term school coaching workforce will be across 7 centres. AIBA WOMEN’S YOUTH AND JUNIOR developed to meet the needs of and sustainable future. WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS, MAY schools. Via BDOs school to club OPERATIONS 2011, TURKEY links will continue to be developed At an organisational level, the Silver: along with leadership and ABAE has also made a number of Charley Davison, Triple A ABC volunteering programmes. operational modifications in

THE AMATEUR BOXING ASSOCIATION OF ENGLAND ANNUAL REVIEW 2010/11 13 sustainable network of clubs and GROWTH for communities and individuals to venues for all our participants and engage with ‘boxing’ and utilise The ABAE must continue to grow members to engage with boxing, to this strategy to secure and develop and both define and diversify to compete, to train and to perform. our future. ensure its success and sustainability in the future. We Amateur boxing can have real GOVERNANCE must recognise that the world in impact and can deliver huge Sports governance is increasingly which amateur boxing exists is benefits across a range of social under the spotlight and we must increasingly competitive and that issues and making demonstrable strive to show best practice within future participants have both improvements to people and the ABAE and across our member lifestyle and economic pressures communities. There are many associations and clubs. The that will pull them away from our people in boxing clubs and international landscape for boxing sport. We must, in order to grow, throughout the grassroots who also continues to change and we be prepared to recognise, reflect make all of this possible and whose must both prepare and contribute and respond to these changes hard work and commitment is to this future. around us. helping amateur boxing to deliver better lives. We must look to We will work towards consistency, We must consolidate and grow our develop this volunteer ‘workforce’ transparency and quality within membership and give people the for the future. the way that we manage and opportunity to be part of our govern all aspects and elements of organisation and participate in, It remains for me to thank all of the sport. and follow, boxing as a competitor these volunteers and staff that and a volunteer. have contributed to this year TALENT THE WAY FORWARD under review. There have been We must look to grow our pool of We must use the platform that has many challenges and many competitive, carded boxers and this area last year. landscape and, as an organisation been created by London 2012 to successes and, as we move towards DEVELOPING THE ROLE OF provide meaningful competitive we need to perform well in all continue to develop a truly world and beyond the first Olympic THE GOVERNING BODY opportunities for them both Much of the message around areas to prove our capabilities for class talent pathway and Games on these shores for many As an organisation, we will domestically and internationally. London 2012 and the hosting of the post 2012 period, where the performance programme for years, we must commit with continue to look at our own the games was the ‘Singapore pressure on funding and achieving English Boxers. renewed purpose and rigour to operations and ways we can We must also recognise that promise’ that the games would results will be ever greater. securing and developing our own improve. In the current economic boxing has a wide appeal as a GB Boxing and the BABA have ‘legacy’ and future. climate, public spending is under impact on the lives of young training and conditioning sport. I I have spent some time reviewing raised the ‘bar’ in the preparation intense scrutiny so we need to people. Through the work of the have seen many non carded, non the work we have done in the last of athletes and medal hauls in Mark Abberley ensure that we continually ABAE, the pathways are in place to competitive boxers in our clubs two years, from 2009 -2013, and recent international competition Chief Executive Officer. ABAE showcase how the sport delivers progress talent from the around the country. We must find and it is imperative that, as grassroots to the elite level and have also taken the opportunity to ways that these members can both value for money and contributes England, we look for continual means that a young person who talk and engage with our boxing enjoy our sport and help us positively across a range of policy improvement and best practice in walks into a gym tomorrow can people including boxers, coaches support our young people. We agendas to stakeholders in all areas and that we continually get the support they need to and key volunteers about what is must grow and develop new ways Government and local authorities. develop excellence in all we do. become an Olympic contender and, ‘happening’ in our sport. As the build up to 2012 continues if they have the ability, the desire Emerging out of this have been to shine a light on the role of sport and the commitment can, through some key themes for the in society we want to ensure that boxing, change their lives. organisation that we will need to boxing is at the forefront. The focus on going forward and that achievements of recent years have Our challenge is to continue to will underpin our success. These shown that it has the ability to build on that and firmly establish are: surpass its policy targets and, in boxing as one of the country’s doing so, deliver real social biggest sporting success stories benefits to people and that is helping to deliver a lasting CLUBS communities. Building meaningful sporting legacy for the nation and We will look to work in a closer relationships with key we should use the opportunity to and more strategic way with our stakeholders and showcasing how grow, develop and diversify the ABA clubs and, through our clubs, amateur boxing delivers value for sport into new areas to fund and with the boxers, coaches, money and contributes positively support the young people to whom volunteers and communities that across a range of social agendas is our sport is so important. they have within and around them. critical to the long term sustainability of the sport and we During the next two years – To continue to investigate means have increased our activities in London 2012 will dominate the by which we can create a

THE AMATEUR BOXING ASSOCIATION OF ENGLAND ANNUAL REVIEW 2010/11 15 The Amateur Boxing Association of England Th e English Institute of Sport Sheffi eld Coleridge Road Sheffi eld S9 5DA www.abae.org.uk