Paul Coleman

Dear Members,

Happy New Year all, we hope you have had a restful and peaceful New Year given the current circumstances and hope you’re all safe and well as we progress into 2021.

Please see the attached updated guidance Version 13 dated 7th January 2021 approved by Public Health Scotland.  As you will all be aware changes were introduced from the 26^th Dec 2020 moving all of mainland Scotland into Protection Level 4.  Subsequently, on the 4^th of January, the First Minister announced certain changes to Level 4 calling for an extended Level 4 ‘stay at home’ restrictions through to the end of January with a review date of the 18^th January.  As with previous Guidance documents changes and updates will be in red.

BSL-COVID-19-OVERVIEW-GUIDANCE-v-13-Final

With Covid-19 cases increasing at an alarming rate, this measure is an attempt to arrest the increase and we appreciate your adherence to the new regulations.

A revised guidance document which considers the First Minister’s update on 7th January 2021 and subsequent extended Level 4 ‘stay at home’ restrictions.  Key changes to note in the Return to Sport & Physical Activity Guidance are.

Reference	Change
Table 1 (pg.5)	Outdoor overview updated to show Scottish household rules apply at Level 4. Except for non-contact activity being delivered to Children under 12 years of age. For over 12’s and adults 1 on 1 training only.
Page 7	Coaching information updated – bubbles up to Level 3 for adults. Level 4 under 12’s
Page 13 4.2 Page 14 5.2	Link updated for Scottish Government ‘Stay at Home’ guidance.
Page 15	Updated title to link to ‘Coronavirus (COVID-19): public use of face coverings’
Appendix 1	Focus on Stay-at-Home message included throughout
Appx 1. Points 7	Travel restrictions in Level 4 updated
Appx 1. Points 10-11	Sporting Bubbles.   Now updated to illustrate changes to sporting bubbles i.e, no sporting bubbles for over 12-year-olds at Level 4).
Appx 1. Points 10-11	Outdoor sport and activity restrictions updated.  Maximum 2 households / 2 people aged over 12 years plus further information on under 12s.
Appx 1. Point 14	Storage & locker room guidance updated.  Restrictions on personal access now in force.

It is essential that we continue following the guidance to ensure that clubs and gyms remain a safe environment for individuals to participate in physical activity. Therefore, we kindly ask that you take the time to familiarise yourself with our updated guidance document (please find the link below)

We will continue with our drive for a return to competitive Boxing, working closely with Public Health Scotland, sportscotland and our medical commission.  Through the patience and sacrifice our affiliated clubs have made, we have been able to bring back pads and sparring for under 18’s for Levels 0-3 with the exception of Level 4.  This we believe this will be our stepping stone for a return to competition and will continue working on our Bring Back Boxing documentation.

Please find attached a link to Funding opportunities that remain open through the Scottish Council for Voluntary organisation.

SCVO Support Coronavirus Funding

We continue to thank and praise our clubs and membership during this unprecedented period as you continue to follow the published guidelines.  It continues to be a testament to you, that our sport has remained safe during this unprecedented period.

Boxing Scotland

 

Dear Members,

Following on from yesterday’s announcement by the First Minister and the Scottish Government on 4th January 2021. These latest restrictions have been placed in an attempt to curb the spread of the new coronavirus strain.

The current situation remains an extremely difficult period for us all. We would like to assure the membership that we will continue to work and liaise closely with the Scottish Government and sportscotland to update necessary guidance documents.  We will ensure that they are tailored towards these restrictions, which will be published in the 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.

These latest changes follow on from the UPDATE – On 26th December 2020 where the Scottish Government applied Level 4 Restrictions to the whole of mainland Scotland. 

We all continue to share the common responsibility; of ensuring the safety of our boxers, coaches, officials, and their families.

In the meantime, please continue to stay safe.

 Boxing Scotland

AMATEUR BOXING IN SCOTLAND TO BENEFIT AS HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMP JOSHUA GIVES SUPPORT TO COVID-HIT GRASSROOTS

Two-time champion and London Olympics gold-medallist makes ‘substantial’ donation via Boxing Scotland to help clubs across the amateur game survive amid ongoing pandemic.

Heavyweight champion and former Olympic gold medallist Anthony Joshua OBE has given his support to amateur boxing in Scotland as part of a ‘substantial’ financial package to help grassroots clubs survive amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The donation will be distributed via the amateur boxing associations in Scotland, England and Wales and is ring-fenced for those clubs in the greatest need of support as restrictions tighten across the United Kingdom.

A kit donation will also be offered to Boxing Scotland via Joshua’s sponsors, Under Armour.

Joshua’s gesture is in recognition of the importance his amateur career played in his rise to become two-time world heavyweight champion. He has been saddened by the plight of amateur and community boxing clubs across the country: with many forced to close their doors, depriving amateur boxers of the mental and physical health benefits of participating in the sport and denying clubs much-needed income. 

He has also taken the opportunity to financially contribute to his own amateur gym, Finchley Amateur Boxing Club.

On the announcement, Anthony Joshua OBE said: “Boxing helped shaped me, both physically and mentally. It is no secret that without boxing and the family created around my amateur gym, my life could have been very different. The sport has given me a lot and I want to help highlight the issues affecting grassroots clubs and do what I can to keep the lights on to those most in need.

 “I would like to thank the English, Welsh and Scottish ABAs for their support in helping facilitate how the financial aid reaches the most effected clubs in their regions and also agreeing to make sure the money goes directly to clubs.

 “I would like to use my platform to show that without support we will lose community hubs and potentially the stars of tomorrow.”

Kevin Bell, Boxing Scotland Chairman: “On behalf of Boxing Scotland, I would like to thank Anthony and his team for the offer of financial assistance to clubs that will be of great support to the amateur boxing community in this country.

  “It is to Anthony’s great credit that he recognises the impact of COVID-19 on amateur boxing, from loss of training among boxers to the inability to host shows that sustain clubs financially. It is also the hallmark of a true world and Olympic champion that he has proactively sought to help amateur boxing – which he acknowledges played a significant role in his career – during this ongoing period of uncertainty.”

 

Dear Members and Partners,

Boxing Scotland would like to take this opportunity to extend our most sincere gratitude to each and every one of you for your patience and support throughout what has undoubtedly been our most challenging year and wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy and Safe New Year.

We very much look forward to working with you all in our continued effort to safely bring back our sport of boxing in 2021.  

Thank you all once again, our best wishes and please stay safe over the holiday period.

 Boxing Scotland

 Boxing Scotland will close on Wednesday 16^th December 2020 through to Wednesday 6^th January 2021.

Due to the recent restrictions announced by the First Minister, the following areas will move to level 4 from Friday 20^th November 2020.

These council areas are the City of Glasgow, Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire, East Dunbartonshire, West Dunbartonshire, North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire, East Ayrshire, South Ayrshire, Stirling, and West Lothian. The measures began at 1800 on Friday, will be in place for three weeks, and are due to be lifted on 11^th December.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon also announced that travel restrictions will be put into law to prevent people who live in a Level 3 or Level 4 local authority area from travelling outside their local authority except for an essential purpose – such as essential work or caring responsibilities. The regulations are also in force for non-essential travel into a Level 3 or 4 local authority area, except for the same reasons.

With Covid-19 cases increasing at an alarming rate this measure is an attempt to arrest the increase and we appreciate your adherence to the new regulations.

For clubs out with these Health Boards, boxing activity can continue according to current Boxing Scotland Version 12 guidance.

The business support grant is now available and is based on the rateable value of the business is registered for non-domestic rates  – if you pay rates through a landlord rather than directly to a  local authority you can still apply but must provide evidence through a copy of the lease agreement.  The process will be controlled by the local authority. How-to-apply click here

Further information on the Business Support grants can be found at the following link. Scottish Government coronavirus-covid-19-strategic-framework-business-fund

Please find attached a link to Funding opportunities that remain open through the Scottish Council for Voluntary organisation.

SCVO Support Coronavirus Funding

We would urge Club COVID Co-ordinators to read the BSL-COVID-19-OVERVIEW-GUIDANCE-v-12 and check what is permitted in your local authority.  Please find the postcode finder at the following link Gov.Scot Postcode checker

We continue to thank and praise our clubs and membership during this unprecedented period as you continue to follow the published guidelines.  It is a testament to you that our sport has remained safe since restrictions have been lifted.

Boxing Scotland

A reminder that our Anonymous Equality Survey remains open for anyone that has yet to complete a copy.

Boxing-Scotland-Ltd-Equality-Survey-Guidance

Boxing Scotland Ltd remains committed to making Boxing open and accessible to all. This will be accomplished by upholding the principles of equality in all aspects of our work. We will audit and monitor our business activities regularly, and take appropriate steps if it appears that our commitment to equality is not being delivered effectively.

ADULT (18+) SURVEY LINK

We are currently collecting data on the profile of our staff (paid and unpaid), coaches, officials, board, members and participants in terms of equality. This is the Adult (18+) survey link  Adult 18+ Survey Link

UNDER 18 SURVEY LINK

We are currently collecting data on the profile of our coaches, officials, board, members and participants in terms of equality. This is the under 18 survey link  Under 18 Survey Link

We would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone that has taken the time to complete a survey.  To date, we have 300 plus surveys recorded. 

Without this data, it will not be possible to identify any current areas of under-representation or potential inequalities, and as such, it will make it much more difficult for us to tackle these issues.