Agenda item

            The Committee was reminded that the Council had developed a ten year amateur boxing strategy for the city, in partnership with Co. Antrim Boxing, Ulster Boxing Council (UBC), Sport Northern Ireland (SNI) and the Irish Amateur Boxing Association (IABA).  Members were advised that the final strategy, including an action plan, had been agreed by the former Parks and Leisure Committee in March, 2013.  It had also been agreed that £200,000 per annum would be allocated for three years for the implementation of Phase 1 of the strategy and that this would include funding to put in place a Sports Development Officer, who had been appointed in December, 2013, and two community based coaches who had been appointed in April, 2014. 

            The Assistant Director highlighted the fact that, due to the delay in appointing staff, there had been a significant under spend in year one and this had been used to finance the implementation of year four (current year).  

            She reported that, in late 2015, a review of progress had been undertaken to evaluate the impact of the support which had been provided to boxing across the city. She drew the Members’ attention to the details of the research undertaken and the key findings, as follows: 

·        Since 2012, two clubs have folded but six new clubs have been established across the city, which have affiliated to the IABA. These were detailed in the executive summary -two are based in the East, one in South, one in the West and two in the City Centre;

·        Two other clubs have been established; one in the East and one in the North, but neither of them participated in the review so we do not have confirmation of their affiliation status. There is also a fledging club in the East which has not yet constituted;

·        There has been a 20% increase in membership;

·        There has been a substantial increase in female membership but it is still well short of male membership;

·        There has been an increase in the number of volunteers.

·        There appears to be a fall in club income;

·        There has been an improvement in facilities at clubs but there is still some way to go to a point where all clubs offer modern fit for purpose boxing facilities;

·        The Non Contact Boxing Programme has been a success but we need to look at creating the pathways between schools and clubs to allow the children who participate to move into a club;

·        The strategy has been well received by all stakeholders and the clubs who attended the focus group all said that the strategy was working for their club; and

·        The overall view, based on survey and consultation work, is that the strategy is having a positive impact and influence on boxing clubs and boxing development throughout the City.

            She referred that the Otium Leisure Consultancy review suggested the following recommendations:

·        to continue the Non-Contact Boxing Programme, with a direct link between clubs and schools/youth centres;

·        develop governance and management through volunteers;

·        reach out to the community with boxing programmes linked to fitness, well-being and health;

·        progress with the Strategy’s Actions should be monitored and reported on a regular basis;

·        provide mentoring support to clubs for selected Actions;

·        liaise with schools in relation to staging boxing events in school premises;

·        engage with the IABA Ulster Branch in complementary activities;

·        look to qualify more coaches; and

·        Assess the carrying capacity of each club in each membership category and plan for projected increases.

            The Committee was asked to note that there was no provision currently within the Department’s estimates for the ongoing delivery of the strategy.  The Assistant Director reported that it was being recommended that officers would work with the Strategy Steering Group to develop an action plan for the next three years, based on the findings and recommendations of the review. 

            The Committee agreed that officers would develop an action plan, including costs, for the next phase 2 of strategy implementation (2017-2020), which would be brought back to the People and Communities Committee in the Autumn for its consideration and approval.