Paul Coleman

Boxing Scotland fully supports the collective drive of Scottish Governing Bodies to reopen as many sports facilities in Scotland as quickly and safely as possible.

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have been working alongside the other Governing Bodies of Sport, sportscotland and the Scottish Government towards a return to sport.

Following a formal communication sent to the First Minister on the morning of 30^th July 2020 from 32 individual Scottish Governing Bodies of Sport (SGB), the SGB CEO Forum welcomes the recognition by the First Minister of the requirement to move forward the re-opening of sports facilities.

As a sector, we are disappointed that the indicative timescale for a return to sport is not sooner.  We have submitted evidence in mitigation of any risk to public health and ask for clarification as to what more compelling information is required to ensure our sports can return to activity and competition within the indicative dates given.

However, we will work with the Scottish Government and sportscotland to understand the level of evidence we need to provide so all requirements for indoor sport to safely return in late August can be met. As ever, we will react positively to any encouragement from Scottish Government to review the dates.

We are especially concerned for those SGBs which only have the small 2020 summer window to restart their sport and competitions.  Without access to facilities – both indoor and outdoor, wet and dry – our member Clubs cannot function and cannot contribute effectively to the recovery that the whole of Scotland so desperately wants and needs.

As we are all aware the reality is that ‘sport-in-Scotland’ is more than just ‘sport’. This has been clearly demonstrated through the national focus on maintaining daily physical activity throughout lockdown and effectively contributes to the social fabric of our local communities as a whole through (although not exclusively):

• The health and wellbeing of the Scottish Nation;
• Equality and inclusion;
• Contributing to effective learners;
• Mental health and wellbeing;
• Tackling obesity;
• Social inclusion and;
• Women and Girls in Sport.

With confirmation that other public spaces and venues in Scotland are now reopening and in recognition of the immense challenges facing the restart of the Scottish sporting sector, the SGB CEO Forum wish to work quickly with Scottish Government, sportscotland and facility operators to establish a clear strategy to resume sport, for our members, clubs and communities.

We look forward to being back safely back on court at the earliest opportunity!

Boxing Scotland and our Boxing Community here in Scotland, sadly mourn the passing of a true gentleman of our sport Rab Bannan.

The Boxing community has lost a stalwart of Boxing here in Scotland. Rab dedicated his life to our sport and trained many Champions across all age and weight categories in the Amateur game also achieving acclaim in the Professional world setting three-time world champion Ricky Burns on the road to stardom.

The community Champion became a local legend for his efforts at The Barn boxing club helping youngsters from Coatbridge.

For decades, Children have been kept on the straight and narrow by the discipline instilled at the club.  Rightly so, Rab was recognised for his tireless work at the boxing club with the BBC Unsung Hero award in 2015, a real honour.

It was never about Rab though always about the club and the town of Coatbridge.

Rab always found time to chat to Coaches, Officials and Boxers alike about our sport. Always enthusiastic and passionate about boxing Rab was always willing to help other clubs out with bouts, you always knew his boxers would be strong and you were in for a tough bout.

Our sincere condolences go to his family, friends and everyone at The Barn Boxing Club at this difficult time. Rab will leave a huge void in our sport.  10 Bells will ring loud and clear on his passing.

God bless you Rab, rest in peace.

 

 

 

 

It is with much regret we have to inform you, that the Championships for all this year’s Three Nations Representative Tournaments which were scheduled for May and June have been cancelled for this year.  This decision was made after discussion with the other home nations.  

We fully understand the disappointment this will cause but due to the government restrictions and available time, the Home Nations have been left with little option other than to cancel the event.

The decision has been made for the safety and well being of our members, clubs and Families.  The safety of all concerned remains our overriding priority.

• It has now been confirmed by the three federations (Scotland, England, and Wales) that the Three Nations Representative Championships will not take place this year. (2020)

We will keep you updated with our own National Championships when we know more through July and August.

Dear Boxers, Coaches and Club Delegates

Lockdown has been a very difficult period for us all. Sadly, some of us will have lost loved ones and our thoughts are very much with those individuals and their families. On a more positive note, the COVID-19 infection rate in Scotland has continued to decline over the past few weeks. This is reassuring and is in large due to ongoing compliance with government advice. As we transition through the various phases on our route out of lockdown, we all share a common responsibility; to ensure the safety of our boxers, coaches, officials and their families. We would urge you to familiarise yourselves with the most recent guidance released by Boxing Scotland. (COVID-19 v5 Guidance)  This document has been produced, taking into account the latest guidance released by both sportscotland and the Scottish Government. The situation is, of course, dynamic and therefore changes will be made on a regular basis. Please continue to keep a close eye on the situation.

At the time of publication of this statement, no clubs should be training indoors. This is frustrating for us all but is one of the best ways of minimising the spread of the virus. We encourage all boxers and their coaches to make use of outdoor spaces, focusing on conditioning, skills training and ‘mirror’ coaching. Unfortunately, the physical nature of our sport means that it may be quite some time before we are permitted to restart close contact activities such as pad work and sparring.

We are as disappointed as you to see competitions and club shows cancelled and the uncertainty as to when they can resume is challenging for us all. However, a second wave of COVID-19 could not only result in further delays, but it could very easily put members of the Boxing Scotland family at serious risk. With this in mind, we would urge you to continue to ensure you are complying with the most up-to-date guidance and we hope to see you all, in good health, at competitions in the near future.

On behalf of the Boxing Scotland Medical Commission

 

Dear Members,

Following the announcement on 9th July by the Scottish Government.  Phase 3 of the route map for Boxing will commence from today the 12th July 2020.

There are some changes with regards to the numbers of Adults and significant changes to the numbers of Children that can be trained during a session, so please read the following guidelines carefully. 

The Major Change for Children will begin on Monday 13th July.

What remains the same is that social distancing measures must be in place at all times for Adults. Then for 12-17-year-olds when not participating in an organised activity.  

Indoor Physical Activity is not sanctioned, and at this stage will not return until authorised by Boxing Scotland on guidance from the Scottish Government.

The document provides you with clear guidance on what can and cannot be done with participants. 

This is a really positive move for our sport and we welcome getting closer to a return to boxing activity in Scotland.

The latest Government approved guidance for everyone’s information regarding Phase 3 with all updates highlighted in red in the guidance.

COVID-19 Phase 3 Guidance

COVID-19 Risk Management Plan

Another change is clubs taking part in Physical Activity must have a Club COVID-19 Co-ordinator.  This paperwork must be held by the Regional Development Officer.

Club COVID-19 Co-ordinator Role Descriptor

As always if there is any doubt or ambiguity around any of the guidance please do not hesitate to contact your Regional Development Officer for further clarification. 

The Boxing Scotland Regional Development Team

North District – Ben Holme, ben.holme@boxingscotland.org 07702 866135

East District – Stewart Ferguson, stewart.ferguson@boxingscotland.org 07944 598755           

West District – Paul Coleman, paul.coleman@boxingscotland.org 07803 513699

 

Dear Members

We welcome today’s announcement from First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, confirming the movement into Phase Three of Scotland’s route map out of lockdown from Friday 10 July.

The extension of exercise guidelines in Phase One and Two has allowed individuals to participate in outdoor non-contact boxing activities, providing benefits to physical health, mental health and wellbeing. It continues to be inspiring to see wide participation in our ‘at home’ training sessions and different Club community support programmes. This has displayed our clubs’ close ties with their local communities and the commitment to the physical aspects of the sport whilst protecting the health of the wider public, which remains our most pressing priority.

We are continuing to work with the Scottish Government and sportscotland to update necessary guidance documents, tailored towards phase 3, which will be published in coming days. Once the details of today’s announcement have been fully considered, we will ensure that the updated guidance documents are made available to our members.

In the meantime, please continue to stay safe and best regards

Boxing Scotland