IABA launches Paris Wave – Boxer, club and coach support programme 

IABA is rolling-out its Paris 2024 Olympic Games response programme, ‘Paris Wave’ to 350 clubs throughout the association this week, marking the return of Team Ireland Boxing. 

Paris Wave is designed to support boxers, coaches and clubs and capitalize on the post-Games renewed interest in Boxing created by the team, and Kellie Harrington’s historic second Olympic gold.   

Paris Wave has five pillars, encompassing participation growth, safeguarding, Women in Sport, Coach Ed and Boxer Wellbeing. 

Paris Wave – NextGen was launched on Monday and has already been adopted by 12% of clubs.

This programme will support clubs, financially, in responding to growth in member numbers.

IABA will provide a total of E80 for the provision of 4 training sessions for new members over a 6-week period, beginning in September.

All clubs offer training to multiple age groups and clubs are welcome to make Paris Wave – NextGen applications for several training groups.

Early adopters of the programme will also receive funding support towards equipment. 

IABA National Development Manager, James Geraghty says of Paris Wave – NextGen “This programme aims to capture the imagination and interest of boxing communities throughout the Association. IABA’s ‘Next Gen’ programme offers support in attracting and including all members of society within what is already a hugely diverse melting pot – the local boxing club. Unleashing the future of boxing, ‘Next Gen’ is where tomorrow’s champions begin their journey today“ 

Paris Wave – Women in Sport – WIS Conference, August 31st, encompassing workshops on Coaching Teenage Girls, S&C for Female Combat Athletes, and Safeguarding Essentials – a practical session on managing and reporting concerns.

This also marks the beginning of a 6-month long arc of WIS learning at in-person events in every province. Paris Wave – Women in Sport will culminate with a conference on International Women’s Day, 2025. 

IABA Women in Sport Lead, Sophie Doolan says “Given the incredible performances of IABA’s women and girl boxers on the international stage, we need to support clubs in building their knowledge base in areas including perceived barriers to participation, the menstrual cycle, individualization of training, and themes such as body image and maturation.

“This process begins with our August 31st conference,  and will continue with a minimum of 10 WIS related workshops and learning opportunities, leading up to our keynote conference on March 8th next” 

Paris Wave – Safeguarding, launched on Tuesday, augments IABA’s existing 2024 Safeguarding learning programme. IABA is providing 20 Safeguarding 1 workshops throughout 2024, and under Paris Wave, has added Safeguarding 2 learning in Q4 

Paris Wave – Boxer Wellbeing. IABA will hold roadshows in every province in September and October; these will include workshops on Athlete Injury & Awareness, Safeguarding, from a practical perspective, workshops providing coaches with a mental health tool box for boxers. These will take place in every province in September & October. 

 IABA National Safeguarding Manager, Stephen Flynn, says “Safeguarding is as much about empowering coaches with tools to support boxers as it is aimed at keeping children and young people safe. Providing additional Safeguarding learning opportunities to club coaches, officials and non-coaching volunteers is vital, and IABA has significantly ramped-up its service provision in this area in 2024.

“Our Boxer Wellbeing roadshows take a whole-of-athlete approach to safeguarding, from physical, sport specific, practical and mental health perspectives.”