Coronavirus update: Post-pandemic plans

England Boxing has today outlined its restructured plans of how to proceed once operations are back up and running following the Coronavirus pandemic.

It includes details of reduced Membership fees for the 2020-21 season for existing members, arrangements for the postponed 2019-20 Championships and what will now happen with England international representative fixtures and England Boxing training courses.

The new way forward – which is made on the assumption that things will begin to return to normal in August, and will be continually reviewed – has been decided following a recent online meeting of the England Boxing Directors, where all the relevant issues were discussed.

The decisions have been taken following discussions with England Boxing’s Regions, a number of Clubs and coaches and other relevant partners and suppliers.

“In recognition of the these unprecedented times, and the simple fact that there can be no activity in Clubs at this time, England Boxing has taken a number of decisions to find an alternative path once the Coronavirus pandemic has passed,” said CEO Gethin Jenkins.

“While we appreciate that this has taken time to get out to our Clubs and Members, we hope it will be understood that we have needed to liaise with various agencies, insurers and suppliers in order to ensure the information we are providing is accurate and deliverable.

“There is still more detail to be worked out, but we felt it was better to update where we are at with things, rather than wait until everything is in place in its entirety.

“We will obviously review these actions as things progress over the next few weeks. The basis of our position will always be to start from the advice provided by the government.”

Membership Season and Fees

• England Boxing will delay the start of the new season until at least 1^st September.
• In order to support the Clubs and Members in an equitable way, the Membership fees for current members as of 31^st March – including those pending – will be discounted by 50% for the 2020-21 season to the following fees: Clubs £110, Boxers £5.50, Officials and Coaches £11.
• With no income to the clubs whilst they have been shut, England Boxing is looking at ways in which the payment can be put off until later in the calendar year.

National Championships

England Boxing understands how important these are to the Boxers and Clubs and it remains its intention to get as many of the 2020 Championships completed.

In restructuring these competitions, and from the feedback received, the costs for the Clubs and Regions, and the likely timelines available, have been taken into account.

• National Junior Championships – It is the intention to hold the semi-finals and finals in mid-September (obviously this may need to be reviewed). A weight allowance will be provided for those in the semi-final and final.
• National Amateur Championships / Development Championships – As the NACs have already started within the Regions, England Boxing will merge the Regional and Semi Finals / Final rounds of both competitions (we will also move the pre-quarter and quarter final rounds of the NACs), so they take place on the same weekends and venues, thereby saving on travel, accommodation and other associated costs.
• National Schools Championships – Regrettably, due to the time available, other competitions, and the associated costs to Clubs and Regions, this Championship will not be held this year. Instead, Schoolboys and Schoolgirls Box Cups will be held on separate weekends to accommodate as many numbers as possible. This will be the last weekend of November (Girls), in conjunction with the Women’s Winter Box Cup, and the first weekend of December (Boys).

Other matters

There are various outstanding deadlines. It is currently planned to accommodate these as follows:

• Medicals – At this time, it would simply not be right to be asking doctors etc to be undertaking medicals when they are clearly needed elsewhere. Therefore, any boxers whose medicals expire between 1^st April and 31^st August shall have until 30^th September to have them renewed. Further guidance to follow.
• EB Training Courses – These will be all postponed until September. Those booked on the courses between now and August will be contacted regarding rearrangements, including specific details for those on the level 3 course. England Boxing is also currently exploring online CPD options.
• Level 1 Refresher course – The requirement to have undertaken the refresher course, or passed the level two course, after three years of passing the EB level one course will be delayed until 1^st June 2021.
• Safeguarding Course – Those whose have a safeguarding course certificate that expires between 1^st April and 31^st August will have until 31^st December to complete a new course. For the avoidance of doubt, there is no extension in regards to DBS certificates.
• England International Representative Teams – England Boxing is waiting on the decisions of EUBC and will update accordingly once we know what they have decided.

As well as being about training and competition, England Boxing recognises that boxing is invaluable to members’ mental health and wellbeing and is committed to exploring further ways in which to support in this regard.

Club Support Officers are available to offer immediate support and advice, as required. Members can contact England Boxing directly, then you can contact us via the office number (Tel 0114 2235654) or email enquiries@englandboxing.org.