Boxing Australia Statement

Published Fri 19 Apr 2024

Boxing Australia Statement

Many in the Boxing Community would have seen media reports of a six-months suspension applied to Boxing Australia staff member relating to their inappropriate behaviour.

Boxing Australia acknowledges and respects the processes undertaken and the decisions made by both CombatAUS and the National Sports Tribunal.

A National Sports Tribunal hearing was conducted on 20 March 2024. We have now been informed that the Tribunal determined a reduced sanction of a six-month suspension from participating in all CombatAUS activities from 9 November 2023, and requirements to be reprimanded, apologies and attend counselling and training course. The full determination can be found here.

We are obviously disappointed by the staff member’s language and behaviour as outlined by the Tribunal. There is absolutely no place in our sport for any form of discrimination, harassment, bullying and sexual misconduct.

Boxing Australia has access to all the relevant documentation, we have initiated our own Code of Conduct process so we can reach our own conclusions and determine whether any additional sanction or management action is required. This may take several weeks. 

In the meantime, we confirm an interim restriction was applied earlier this year (Feb) and is currently under review which means as it stands he is not allowed to coach or work with athletes. He is currently undertaking administrative duties.

We can also confirm he was never nominated to the Australian Olympic Committee as a coach for the Paris Olympics. 

Boxing Australia understands this issue has been difficult for some members of our high-performance team and members. We want to reassure you that this matter has had our full attention since we were first informed about it in October last year. 

We have been very limited in what we could do or say about it for the reasons mentioned above, however we have been working hard behind the scenes to minimise any disruption for our athletes. 

We also doubled down on our safety and welfare processes since becoming aware of this matter in October. We will continue to do everything we can to ensure our staff, athletes and members can do what they love in a safe and respectful environment. We want everyone to feel confident that they can talk to our National Integrity Manager about any incident or issue that makes them uncomfortable and know that they will be listened to. 

Information can be provided confidentially to our National Integrity Manager in writing integrity@boxing.org.au. Alternatively, people can call the Australian Institute of Sport’s Be Heard service (https://www.ais.gov.au/AISBe-Heard) for free and confidential support. Any information will be handled sensitively and in strict adherence with the National Integrity Framework.

We have appreciated the advice and feedback we have received from members during this time and for your understanding and patience around this sensitive matter. 

 

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