Decided to get back involved with grassroots (Scottish) boxing recently after 20 years and started my route towards being an official. Seems boxing still hasn't managed to shake much of the drama that comes along with it. From what I gather, another splinter group has decided to break away from Boxing Scotland and form the Scottish Boxing Alliance with a mission to "empower local clubs" and create a more democratic process. The best I can find online are the odd person calling Boxing Scotland "dinosaurs" or saying that they're ruining grassroots boxing without any specific reasoning. Obviously the course I was on and the attendees are likely to be biased in favour of the camp running it and the best the other side can do is their own sales pitch. From my days in boxing I expect this stuff is pretty common knowledge from word of mouth but trying to get back involved and not make a fool of myself isn't easy. I was wondering if anyone could fill me in on what the specific problem with Boxing Scotland is and what Alliance are planning to do about it. Perhaps also why it's so bad that clubs are aligning themselves with Alliance and presumably limiting their exposure to bouts and competitions. Or am I missing something on that latter part? Edit: New to the forum and just realised I posted this on "world" rather than "British", sorry. Is there really no delete option?
Just paste this into the British forum, mate. I saw a thread in there recently on Scottish boxing. I'm no expert so can't offer a view, but I'm sure there will be guys in the British forum.
The mains reasons are 1. Certain clubs having an agenda against Boxing Scotland, their hierarchy and the coaching set up as it stands 2. The affiliation with World Boxing instead of IBA 3. Issues around the removal of the AGM is another big one 4. Lack of transparency from the Boxing Scotland hierarchy to the clubs 5. Lack of listening to what the clubs are saying in regards to how Boxing Scotland are running the sport in Scotland My club is staying affiliated with Boxing Scotland, they are not perfect and its the same with any governing body, I have no issues with any of the clubs who have decided to move away and start their affiliation, my view is that its sad that these clubs felt the need to do so because most of the issues could have been dealt with if there was more transparency between the Scotland Head Coach, the CEO etc with the clubs and their members. I do feel however that some of the people behind the Alliance have an agenda that isn't quite as straight forward as what they are trying to say it is ie all about the boxers and grass roots, I feel they have personal dislikes towards members of Boxing Scotland and just want to be more in control. I will miss seeing some of the clubs that have decided to leave at my club shows/championships etc and I hope that both parties can get together and get this all sorted out because imo Scottish boxing isn't big enough for 2 governing bodies. Either way I am only interested in the actual boxers and will continue to do what is best for them.
Yeah I think thankfully that's why England didn't go that routes, at club level any split just dilutes the level of competion and reduces available sparring/bout's, which immediately affects the boxers. The clubs I deal with there already bemoan a lack of sparring and bouts so I can't imagine this to make that situation any better.
But to answer the question on the state of Scottish boxing, taking away the split of some clubs for a breakaway the sport is in as healthy a position as I remember for a long time with some quality kids coming through at school, junior and youth level as well as some very promising seniors too.
May I ask, what's the name of this state you are referring to? LOL j/k...Puerto Rican (Or Dudley Moore) humor here.. But I wish you the best in this endeavour!