01/05/2013
£600,000 For Belfast's Boxers
Belfast City Council is to inject £600,000 to improve amateur boxing in the city.
Deputy Lord Mayor Councillor Tierna Cunningham has officially launched the strategy.
Speaking at the Ulster Hall, Councillor Cunningham laid out the council's ten-year strategy which has been crafted in partnership with Co Antrim Boxing, Ulster Boxing Council (UBC), Sport Northern Ireland and the Irish Amateur Boxing Association (IABA).
The action plan will seek to improve coach education and development, club support and development and governance.
The Deputy Lord Mayor said: "Boxing is a very successful sport in the city, you only have to look at the success of local boxers at last year's Olympics, and the number of champions who have trained in Belfast.
"However, many clubs are working out of inadequate facilities which make them unattractive as sports arenas – we will be hoping to support clubs to change that.
"Katy Taylor's success in boxing has done much to raise the profile of women in boxing and that is something we would be hoping to build upon to attract more women into the sport," she said.
"It is not just about the elite performers, boxing clubs play an important role in the life of communities, many of them in socially deprived areas. They provide an outlet to young men, and an increasing number of young women, equipping them with life skills."
Two new community-based coaching posts for boxing have been announced, along with the recruitment of a Sports Development Officer with responsibility for boxing as a "key element" of the post.
The increased involvement of schools, including special need schools and issues such as funding and sponsorship of both local and international competitions in Belfast were also identified as areas of development.
Tommy Murphy, President of the IABA, said: "The boxing fraternity welcome this strategy and the support that Belfast City Council is giving the sport in Belfast. We will continue to work with the council in the implementation of the strategy."
(IT/CD)
Deputy Lord Mayor Councillor Tierna Cunningham has officially launched the strategy.
Speaking at the Ulster Hall, Councillor Cunningham laid out the council's ten-year strategy which has been crafted in partnership with Co Antrim Boxing, Ulster Boxing Council (UBC), Sport Northern Ireland and the Irish Amateur Boxing Association (IABA).
The action plan will seek to improve coach education and development, club support and development and governance.
The Deputy Lord Mayor said: "Boxing is a very successful sport in the city, you only have to look at the success of local boxers at last year's Olympics, and the number of champions who have trained in Belfast.
"However, many clubs are working out of inadequate facilities which make them unattractive as sports arenas – we will be hoping to support clubs to change that.
"Katy Taylor's success in boxing has done much to raise the profile of women in boxing and that is something we would be hoping to build upon to attract more women into the sport," she said.
"It is not just about the elite performers, boxing clubs play an important role in the life of communities, many of them in socially deprived areas. They provide an outlet to young men, and an increasing number of young women, equipping them with life skills."
Two new community-based coaching posts for boxing have been announced, along with the recruitment of a Sports Development Officer with responsibility for boxing as a "key element" of the post.
The increased involvement of schools, including special need schools and issues such as funding and sponsorship of both local and international competitions in Belfast were also identified as areas of development.
Tommy Murphy, President of the IABA, said: "The boxing fraternity welcome this strategy and the support that Belfast City Council is giving the sport in Belfast. We will continue to work with the council in the implementation of the strategy."
(IT/CD)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
13 December 2024
Three Police Officers Injured In Belfast Incident
A 35-year-old man has been arrested following an incident in which three police officers were assaulted in the early hours of this morning, Friday 13 December. The incident occurred around 12:20 AM on Dublin Road. When officers attempted to speak to the driver of a suspicious vehicle, he assaulted them and drove off a short distance.
Three Police Officers Injured In Belfast Incident
A 35-year-old man has been arrested following an incident in which three police officers were assaulted in the early hours of this morning, Friday 13 December. The incident occurred around 12:20 AM on Dublin Road. When officers attempted to speak to the driver of a suspicious vehicle, he assaulted them and drove off a short distance.
15 November 2024
Belfast City Council Approves Range Of Transformative Projects
Belfast City Council's Planning Committee has given the green light to a series of projects aimed at transforming the city's landscape. One significant development is the redevelopment of the former police station at 21 Queen Street into a 74-bedroom hotel.
Belfast City Council Approves Range Of Transformative Projects
Belfast City Council's Planning Committee has given the green light to a series of projects aimed at transforming the city's landscape. One significant development is the redevelopment of the former police station at 21 Queen Street into a 74-bedroom hotel.
18 November 2024
Belfast's Vacant To Vibrant Scheme To Expand Citywide
A successful scheme aimed at transforming vacant properties in Belfast city centre into thriving businesses is set to be extended across the entire city. Belfast City Council's Vacant to Vibrant programme has already breathed new life into 26 properties, with another six sites in the pipeline.
Belfast's Vacant To Vibrant Scheme To Expand Citywide
A successful scheme aimed at transforming vacant properties in Belfast city centre into thriving businesses is set to be extended across the entire city. Belfast City Council's Vacant to Vibrant programme has already breathed new life into 26 properties, with another six sites in the pipeline.
14 October 2010
NI Boxers 'Knockout' Performance Praised
The news that Paddy Barnes, Paddy Gallagher and Eamonn O'Kane have won Northern Ireland's first Commonwealth Games gold medals in boxing for 16 years has been welcomed in political circles. It came after light flyweight Barnes, bronze medallist at the Beijing Olympics, beat defending champion Jafet Uutoni of Namibia 8-4 on points.
NI Boxers 'Knockout' Performance Praised
The news that Paddy Barnes, Paddy Gallagher and Eamonn O'Kane have won Northern Ireland's first Commonwealth Games gold medals in boxing for 16 years has been welcomed in political circles. It came after light flyweight Barnes, bronze medallist at the Beijing Olympics, beat defending champion Jafet Uutoni of Namibia 8-4 on points.
02 December 2024
Police Appeal After Assault in Belfast City Centre
Police are appealing for information following an assault in Belfast city centre on Sunday, 1st December. The incident occurred in the Cornmarket area at approximately 3.40am. Two men in their 20s were assaulted by two unknown men. Both victims sustained facial injuries and required hospital treatment.
Police Appeal After Assault in Belfast City Centre
Police are appealing for information following an assault in Belfast city centre on Sunday, 1st December. The incident occurred in the Cornmarket area at approximately 3.40am. Two men in their 20s were assaulted by two unknown men. Both victims sustained facial injuries and required hospital treatment.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be largely dry with patchy cloud and sunny spells through the day. Perhaps the odd shower in the north. Strong southwesterly winds, easing later. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:Staying dry with clear spells through this evening. Clouding over later in the night with rain arriving from the southwest during the early hours. Minimum temperature 5 °C.