Boxing to ring changes after damning report

AN INDEPENDENT report has slammed Boxing New Zealand, saying it has no clear direction and the sport was at risk if its board did not make changes.

After months of infighting within the New Zealand amateur boxing community, the executive board of Boxing New Zealand called on Sport NZ to help conduct a review of the sport’s structure, governance, and management of its programmes.

While the success of David Nyika and David Light at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow put a positive light on amateur boxing, all was not rosy behind closed doors.

Sport NZ appointed Peter Dale, who has an extensive background in sports adminis- tration, to conduct the review of Boxing New Zealand.

The findings suggest some important changes are needed if boxing at an amateur level is to survive in New Zealand.

‘‘Without remedial action these matters represent significant risk to Boxing NZ’s capability to lead the affairs of the sport,’’ the report stated.

‘‘BNZ lacks any formal plans for any of its operations or endeavours.

‘‘The organisation operates without a strategic plan, annual plan or annual budget agreed in advance. As a result the organisation operates without a sense of direction.

‘‘During the review process it has become clear that there are a substantial number of talented boxers who would benefit from a structured athlete development programme. ‘‘This will take a new approach to planning and should include consultation with elite boxers themselves.’’

The feedback from Commonwealth Games athletes provided for the review was also alarming.

‘‘The Games Athlete Debrief makes for concerning reading in terms of planning and execution in the lead-up period to the Games. It indicates a lack of policies and procedures to guide team leadership. Athletes were concerned there was a lack of transparency around selection procedures and lack of development plans for athletes.’’

Boxing New Zealand president Steve Mitchell sent a letter to the boxing community to accompany the damning report, explaining the board was supportive of all the recommendations.