Army Boxing Association
General
1. The organisation of a boxing tournament can appear to be a daunting task. There are several outside agencies involved and detailed long-term planning is essential if the event is to be a success. Boxing Officers / ProjOs are strongly advised to liaise with sS or Regional Boxing Secretaries (Section 1) well in advance of the date(s).
- The responsibility for accounting, correspondence and general management of a boxing event is to be vested in a commissioned officer. Technical advice on the set up of the ring area and training issues should be sought from sS Secretary or Regional Army BA Secretaries (Section 1) and Physical Training Instructors where appropriate.
- Most military boxing takes place on service property and involves service personnel only. There are a small percentage of military boxing events that involve civilians in some way;
- Military Boxers v Civilian Boxers in a civilian location
- Military Boxers v Civilian Boxers in a military location
- Military Boxers only in a civilian location
- Civilian Boxers v Civilian Boxers in a military location
- Any event that involves civilians requires the organiser to engage early with the UKAFBA Sec to allow liaison with civilian counterparts to ensure the event is licensed and all the civilian Boxers and Officials are insured, see Section 8 (Certificate of Assurance and Tournament Permits).
Boxing with Service Personnel on Service Property
Pre-tournament Administration
- Well in advance of the tournament/fixture; agree dates with Commanding Officer(s) and sS Boxing Secretary that will facilitate the preparation required;
- Boxing Officer / ProjO
- Unit Affiliation. Each Unit is required to complete a Unit Affiliation Application (Section 7 Annex A) prior to the commencement of any boxing training successful applications will receive a Certificate of Affiliation from their sS Boxing Association (See Section 7 – Unit Affiliation and Section 3 – Boxing Officer).
- Registration of Coaches and Boxers. The Boxing Officer is responsible for the supervision of the Registration process for Coaches and Boxers for all information regarding this process see Section 7 (Boxer Registration) and Section 7 (Coach Registration).
- Annual Medicals. Liaise with the Practice Manager to book Annual Medicals for all Boxers in manageable group sizes in a timeframe that allows the Medical Centre to continue to function and the Boxers to undergo the medical exams.
- Certificate of Assurance. An application must be made to sS Boxing Association 12 weeks in advance, applications are at Section 8 (Annex A).
- Boxing involving civilians, or a civilian venue requires communication with the appropriate authorities (civilian regional association secretary of the event, civilian regional association secretary of the Boxers, Security branch of the regional HQ and the venue) by the UKAF Boxing Secretary is imperative, see Section 8 (Annex C) and regardless of Service, contact must be made with the UKAF Boxing Secretary at the outset of planning.
- Boxing involving personnel from another Service requires engagement with the sS Executive Secretary and sS Officials Secretary during the planning phase to ensure that Officials from that Service can be appointed and that the Secretary is aware of the fixture in case of an incident involving a Boxer from that Service.
- Ring and Officials. Boxing rings and Officials for military boxing events are controlled by sS and Regional Secretaries, applications must be made 12 weeks in advance to allow appropriate planning time. Contact details for Officials and Regional Secretaries are at Section 1.
- Tournament planning. The Boxing Officer is to agree an appropriate time for the duration of the competition in accordance with AIBA Boxing rules.
- Service Boxing Tournaments;
- May not include more than 26 bouts in a single ring on one day.
- No Boxer is permitted to box more than once on a single day.
- Boxing should be programmed as per the example unless there is scope for rest days.
Example of Service Boxing Tournament
Day 1 Round of 16 – up to 26 bouts (1 ring) 26+ bouts (2 rings) are required.
Day 2 Quarter Finals
Day 3 Semi Finals
Day 4 Finals
If there are more than 16 Boxers entered into the competition at the same weight, then an extra day of boxing will need to be planned at the beginning of the tournament.
- All information related to Boxers can be found at Section 4 (Boxers).
- Medical Cover
- Paramedics. See Section 12 – Ringside Medical Support to Boxing. Contact details for endorsed Paramedic companies are at Section 8 (Annex B). Some of these companies cover a wide area and for multiple days of competition may ask for accommodation, this should be unit accommodation where possible and not a hotel.
- Medical Officer. See Section 12 – Ringside Medical Support to Boxing. In the case of employment of a Civilian Dr that is not contracted to MOD and is not authorised to access DMICP see Para ‘Tournament Checklist’ Sub Para Medical of this Section.
- Officials
- Referees & Judges. Apply for referees and JTKs from the sS Officials Secretary (See Section 1). Where Officials’ Secretaries are unable to provide the requisite number of Officials or Officials of the required standard for an event to take place, they are to apply to the UKAF Officials Appointments for assistance. A minimum of three weeks’ notice is required. Under no circumstances are Officials to be requested by any other means. Host units will be responsible for hosting Officials and providing accommodation, if required.
- Dress for Officials. The dress for Officials is in line with the rules of boxing, i.e. Blazer White Shirt and Black Trousers etc, this is to allow Referees who are also qualified Judges to judge throughout the competition. If you wish Officials who are annotated as Judges only to wear Mess Dress the boxing officer should contact the sS Secretary as early as possible to discuss.
- Internal Officials. Arrange for internal Officials via the unit CoC. Ensure that the Master of Ceremonies (MC) receives a copy of the brief at Section 6 (Annex H).
- OiC Weigh-In. sS Officials Secretaries or Regional Secretaries are to appoint a Clerk of Scales (must be a qualified boxing Official, preferably Supervisor qualified, with a DBS registered with UKAFBA) and agree the date, time and venue for the weigh-in to be conducted.
- Weighing Scales. Arrange for a suitable set of electronic weighing scales to be inspected, calibrated and certified using a manufacturers or external company calibration certificate or Annex A to Section 10 at least 24 hours prior to the event. Ensure that the certificate of calibration is handed to the OiC Weigh-In on arrival.
- Competition Boxing Equipment. Ensure that all boxing equipment complies with the AIBA-approved pattern and is serviceable. Book all the equipment necessary for the event via the unit CoC.
- Event Ensure that all technical documentation necessary for the event is current (See Section 11). Arrange for the programme to be designed and printed.
- Boxing Ring. Liaise with the sS Secretary or Regional Secretary (See Section 1) for the provision of a 4-rope boxing ring and the ancillary equipment. Arrange for Unit Physical Training Staff assistance with the set-up of the ring to ensure that the lay out conforms to current UKAFBA rulings (Annex E 1,2 & 3 to Section 8).
- Fire Inspection. Arrange for an advisory fire inspection visit, during the fire inspection you will be told the seating capacity of your venue.
- Lighting Plan. Adequate lighting is required for the field of play and more specifically, above the boxing ring. The organisers are responsible for ensuring that this is provided. Should external contractors be hired ensure that there is appropriate space in the venue (both height and floor space), ensure that the power requirement for the system can be met (63Amp 3 Phase is often required and a generator maybe be needed). All lighting should be thoroughly inspected prior to the event. An emergency lighting plan must also be considered, this may involve an ‘on-call’ duty electrician.
- Band/Pipes & Drums. Book external Bands or Pipes & Drums well in advance. The band programme is usually organised at least 6 months in advance. If music is to be utilised within the overall show, arrange for a ‘DJ’.
- VIPs/Guests/Sponsors. Liaise with PAs to VIPs reference availability and itineraries. Issue invitations to guests and sponsors and arrange for suitable hosting arrangements for visitors.
- Trophies/Medals. Arrange for annual/perpetual trophies to be returned in a clean, engraved and serviceable condition. Ascertain which individual trophies/medals are to be awarded and order them and any engraving well in advance.
- Function Venues. Agree the format of the event with the Commanding Officer (CO). Write to Mess PMCs for agreement to use the various Messes. Organise catering, security, fire cover etc. Draft the Administrative Order for CO’s approval and disseminate once given.
Related Boxing Rules
- Boxing Officers / ProjOs should be aware of several rules that can limit the inclusion of Boxers in competitions or events see Section 4 Boxers Related Rules.
Tournament Checklist
- Weigh in (See Section 10)
- Make sure the weigh in room is prepared and ready for weigh in, electric point for scales.
- Provide a separate weigh in and medical room for females or arrange a separate weigh in time for females if this cannot be achieved.
- Provide check scales if possible in a suitable place.
- Provide the Supervisors with lists of competitors names in weight categories if available to manage the weigh in in structured manner.
- Ensure the Boxers have their ID Card, BCR1, Wraps and Gum Shield with them before coming to the scales.
- Medical (MY NEXT MATCH INFO)
- Liaise with Medical Officer and or Practice Manager about the pre-bout medicals; numbers of Boxers, any issues and any changes to timings.
- Pre-Bout Medicals should be completed in the Med Centre where the Dr has access to DMICP, if conducted in the Gymnasium then access to DMICP must be made available.
- Boxers are to attend the Pre-Bout Medical with a completed pre-bout Medical Declaration form (Section 12 Annex C), Gum Shield and BCR1.
- If DMICP is not available to the Dr or the Dr is a civilian practitioner without permissions to DMICP the following procedure must be adhered to;
- The Weigh in should be carried out at approx. 0700hrs on the morning of the boxing.
- When the Boxers weigh in they must complete the Pre-Bout Medical Form
- These forms must then be taken to the Med Cen and a CMT or the Practice Manager MUST check the details on DMICP as declared by the Boxers are correct and there are no reasons for them to be excluded from Boxing (this should be arranged at the earliest opportunity to allow the time to be allotted at the Med Cen)
- Should all be correct these forms MUST be returned to the Gymnasium and made available to the Dr for the physical medical of the Boxers.
- The practice manager or a senior CMT should accompany the Dr throughout their employment to ensure that UKAFBA protocols and policies are adhered to.
- Should there be any admission to hospital then a member of the medical centre the procedures stipulated at para 4 of Section 3 to Section 12 of this document should be followed.
- Any information recorded by the Dr on the evening/day about any Boxer or anything found by the Dr or Paramedics on the Post Bout Medical (now compulsory) is to be added to DMICP the following morning.
- Any Boxing Medical Suspensions are to be discussed between the Dr and the Appointed Supervisor for agreement and must be in line with the Concussion protocols (Annex D to Section 5) and Medical Suspension Periods (Section 12 Annex F).
- Changing Rooms
- Label Changing Rooms for home and away teams or Red and Blue Corners.
- Display bout lists in both changing rooms, warm up areas.
- Ensure there is sufficient seating and space for changing for the number of competitors.
- If possible provide bottled water for Boxers.
- Officials Briefing, Changing and Rest Area
- Provide an Officials rest and changing area that is separate from Boxers and Coaches this allows the Supervisor to address the Officials in private.
- Field of Play
- Ensure the ring is set up correctly, with enough tables and chairs for the number of Officials around the ring,
- Place judge position numbers in the appropriate places around the ring along with position cards for Time keeper, Supervisor, Doctor, MC, Recorder and Computer operator (if required).
- Ensure Timekeeper is provided with a bell, gavel and stop clocks, provide Air horn if two rings are being used. Place the Timekeeper individual bout paperwork in a folder at the Timekeeper position.
- Ensure a power supply and multi socket extension lead is available for computer equipment at ringside (as required).
- Laminated Ring A & B signs if two rings.
- Make sure approved competition gloves of the same design in Red and Blue are available at each corner (10 & 12oz plus spares).
- Make sure 3 chairs are available at the red and blue corner for Coaches.
- Make sure buckets are provided for both corners and a receptacle for used swabs is attached to the post in the neutral corners.
- Make sure chairs are conveniently situated for off duty Officials.
- Detail and set up positions for presentations and ensure VIPs and / or individuals presenting prizes are briefed and understand their role.
- Photographers and cameramen and women should be positioned in liaison with the Supervisor.
- Provide suitable position for paramedics with line of sight and easy access to the ring.
- Keep the field of play tidy.
- Be on hand for anything the Supervisors may require.
- Refreshments
- Make sure water is available around the ring for Officials.
- Tea and Coffee in a suitable area for Officials at breaks.
- Liaise with the Supervisor to discuss any messing arrangements for Officials are in line with the programme of events.
- During any interval the field of play and the ring / rings are free of litter.
7. Post Event Tasks. The major post-event task is to conduct the event ‘wash-up’. Lessons learned, and improvements must be discussed with those responsible, accounts need to be balanced and audited and letters of thanks written to sponsors and outside agencies. Upon receipt of the bill for para-medics forward it to the sS Boxing Officers/Secretaries for payment.
a. Tournament Record Sheet should be photographed and emailed where possible to the sS Secretary and a hard copy must be posted to the sS Secretary the day after the event, a copy held by the unit until notification from the Secretary of receipt of the postal copy.
b. The Event Score Cards are to be filed for a period of no less than 30 days.