09/08/2012
NI Boxing Investment After Olympic Success
Boxing in Northern Ireland is to get a cash injection of more than £3m.
The announcement comes as two Northern Irish boxers playing for the republic of Ireland team have won medals in the London Olympics.
Michael Conlan and Paddy Barnes have contributed to Northern Ireland's record five Olympics medals so far.
Sports minister Caral Ni Chuiillin confirmed the investment on a visit to St John Bosco boxing club in west Belfast, and said it would be spent on improving coaching and expanding facilities so women could box in more venues.
She said: "In communities across the north, boxing is much more than a sport. It is a lifesaver."
The money will be available by the end of the year. Ms Ni Chuillin said it was part of a strategy being developed.
But Jim Allister of Traditional Unionist Voice warned that sectarianism needed to be tackled in the sport.
He said: "The reality in Northern Ireland is that people from within the Unionist community are discouraged from participating in boxing because of sectarianism and the fact that competitive events are almost always held in Republican areas.
"Events held in venues like All Saints Boxing Club in Twinbrook, Grosvenor Activity Centre in the Lower Falls area and Saint Kevin’s Hall in the New Lodge have all resulted in sectarian abuse being directed at young Protestant boxers from Sandy Row with no adequate redress coming from boxing authorities.
"Now that boxing in Northern Ireland is to receive this funding it is imperative that fundamental changes take place so that people from all religious and political backgrounds can feel welcome."
(NE)
The announcement comes as two Northern Irish boxers playing for the republic of Ireland team have won medals in the London Olympics.
Michael Conlan and Paddy Barnes have contributed to Northern Ireland's record five Olympics medals so far.
Sports minister Caral Ni Chuiillin confirmed the investment on a visit to St John Bosco boxing club in west Belfast, and said it would be spent on improving coaching and expanding facilities so women could box in more venues.
She said: "In communities across the north, boxing is much more than a sport. It is a lifesaver."
The money will be available by the end of the year. Ms Ni Chuillin said it was part of a strategy being developed.
But Jim Allister of Traditional Unionist Voice warned that sectarianism needed to be tackled in the sport.
He said: "The reality in Northern Ireland is that people from within the Unionist community are discouraged from participating in boxing because of sectarianism and the fact that competitive events are almost always held in Republican areas.
"Events held in venues like All Saints Boxing Club in Twinbrook, Grosvenor Activity Centre in the Lower Falls area and Saint Kevin’s Hall in the New Lodge have all resulted in sectarian abuse being directed at young Protestant boxers from Sandy Row with no adequate redress coming from boxing authorities.
"Now that boxing in Northern Ireland is to receive this funding it is imperative that fundamental changes take place so that people from all religious and political backgrounds can feel welcome."
(NE)
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27 September 2012
MLAs Visit Belfast Boxing Club
Northern Ireland MLAs are to visit a Belfast boxing club which claims to have been subjected to sectarianism for a decade.
MLAs Visit Belfast Boxing Club
Northern Ireland MLAs are to visit a Belfast boxing club which claims to have been subjected to sectarianism for a decade.
17 October 2012
Claims Cash Was Denied To Protestant Boxers
Sports Minister Caral Ni Chuilin has refuted claims that funding was denied to a Sandy Row boxing club. TUV MLA Jim Allister claims the boxing club, situated in a protestant area of Belfast, was refused funding by the Sinn Féin Sports Minister’s department because it was not part of the Irish Amateur Boxing Association.
Claims Cash Was Denied To Protestant Boxers
Sports Minister Caral Ni Chuilin has refuted claims that funding was denied to a Sandy Row boxing club. TUV MLA Jim Allister claims the boxing club, situated in a protestant area of Belfast, was refused funding by the Sinn Féin Sports Minister’s department because it was not part of the Irish Amateur Boxing Association.
14 November 2013
Poots Meets NI 'Thank You Fund' Winners
Health Minister Edwin Poots has met with some of the winning recipients of this year's Coca-Cola Thank You Fund, which seeks to promote healthy and active living in Northern Ireland. From a total of 11 winners from across the island of Ireland, Swim Ireland was awarded the top prize of £21,000.
Poots Meets NI 'Thank You Fund' Winners
Health Minister Edwin Poots has met with some of the winning recipients of this year's Coca-Cola Thank You Fund, which seeks to promote healthy and active living in Northern Ireland. From a total of 11 winners from across the island of Ireland, Swim Ireland was awarded the top prize of £21,000.
18 July 2023
Carl Frampton Announced As New Boxing Analyst
TNT Sports has announced Carl Frampton as one of its new boxing analyst for its TV coverage. Frampton will work alongside presenter Laura Woods to provide analysis on fights for the new sports channel. TNT Sports is a rebrand of the former BT Sports which will now be available for streaming through Discovery +.
Carl Frampton Announced As New Boxing Analyst
TNT Sports has announced Carl Frampton as one of its new boxing analyst for its TV coverage. Frampton will work alongside presenter Laura Woods to provide analysis on fights for the new sports channel. TNT Sports is a rebrand of the former BT Sports which will now be available for streaming through Discovery +.
10 December 2013
Separate NI Boxing Club Would 'Heighten Sectarian Tensions'
The establishment of a separate boxing entity in Northern Ireland would further heighten the sectarian tensions that exist within the sport on an amateur level, according to a new report by the Irish Amateur Boxing Association (IABA). The amateur sport in Northern Ireland has experienced "incidents of sectarianism and racism" the report also said.
Separate NI Boxing Club Would 'Heighten Sectarian Tensions'
The establishment of a separate boxing entity in Northern Ireland would further heighten the sectarian tensions that exist within the sport on an amateur level, according to a new report by the Irish Amateur Boxing Association (IABA). The amateur sport in Northern Ireland has experienced "incidents of sectarianism and racism" the report also said.
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