Menu
22/08/2012
Sectarianism In Boxing: Sandy Row Club Releases Report
A boxing club on Sandy Row has compiled a 57-page report outlining sectarian attacks on its members in nationalist areas.
The report from the mainly-Protestant Belfast club will make for sobering reading after the positive attention given to the sport in recent weeks, as Belfast boxers Paddy Barnes and Michael Conlan both won bronze medals for Ireland at the Olympics in London.
The PSNI said it was treating a verbal abuse incident in North Queen Street in 2010 as a hate crime.
But a boxing club in a Catholic area of west Belfast said it had not experienced bigotry.
The alleged physical and verbal assaults, allegedly from followers of the sport, not participants, took place while Sandy Row boxers were fighting in places like west Belfast in the ten years to 2010.
Club secretary Ian McSorley said: "It's a very frightening experience, for anybody to take up boxing, get in the boxing ring... never mind getting abuse or stoned."
Mr McSorley claimed a lot of promising young boxers had quit the sport because of what had happened to them, and the problem had affected other clubs from Protestant areas.
The club has put forward an eight-point plan to combat the problem including holding tournaments in neutral venues and wearing of neutral colours during events.
But Gerard McCafferty, a coach with St John Bosco Boxing Club in west Belfast - where Michael Conlan trains - said it was the first time he had heard of such incidents.
He said: "If it has happened, I sympathise with Sandy Row boxing club. I have never experienced anything like that there."
(NE)
The report from the mainly-Protestant Belfast club will make for sobering reading after the positive attention given to the sport in recent weeks, as Belfast boxers Paddy Barnes and Michael Conlan both won bronze medals for Ireland at the Olympics in London.
The PSNI said it was treating a verbal abuse incident in North Queen Street in 2010 as a hate crime.
But a boxing club in a Catholic area of west Belfast said it had not experienced bigotry.
The alleged physical and verbal assaults, allegedly from followers of the sport, not participants, took place while Sandy Row boxers were fighting in places like west Belfast in the ten years to 2010.
Club secretary Ian McSorley said: "It's a very frightening experience, for anybody to take up boxing, get in the boxing ring... never mind getting abuse or stoned."
Mr McSorley claimed a lot of promising young boxers had quit the sport because of what had happened to them, and the problem had affected other clubs from Protestant areas.
The club has put forward an eight-point plan to combat the problem including holding tournaments in neutral venues and wearing of neutral colours during events.
But Gerard McCafferty, a coach with St John Bosco Boxing Club in west Belfast - where Michael Conlan trains - said it was the first time he had heard of such incidents.
He said: "If it has happened, I sympathise with Sandy Row boxing club. I have never experienced anything like that there."
(NE)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
17 October 2012
Claims Cash Was Denied To Protestant Boxers
Sports Minister Caral Ni Chuilin has refuted claims that funding was denied to a Sandy Row boxing club. TUV MLA Jim Allister claims the boxing club, situated in a protestant area of Belfast, was refused funding by the Sinn Féin Sports Minister’s department because it was not part of the Irish Amateur Boxing Association.
Claims Cash Was Denied To Protestant Boxers
Sports Minister Caral Ni Chuilin has refuted claims that funding was denied to a Sandy Row boxing club. TUV MLA Jim Allister claims the boxing club, situated in a protestant area of Belfast, was refused funding by the Sinn Féin Sports Minister’s department because it was not part of the Irish Amateur Boxing Association.
25 November 2024
Other News In Brief
DfC Launch Public Consultation On Gender Pay Gap A consultation on proposed changes to Section 19 of the Employment Act (Northern Ireland) relating to the requirements for employers to publish information on the pay of male and female employees has been launched by the Department for Communities.
Other News In Brief
DfC Launch Public Consultation On Gender Pay Gap A consultation on proposed changes to Section 19 of the Employment Act (Northern Ireland) relating to the requirements for employers to publish information on the pay of male and female employees has been launched by the Department for Communities.
11 June 2013
West Belfast Boxing Club Reopens
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has announced the re-opening of a west Belfast boxing club following a £116,000 refurbishment. Gleann Amateur Boxing Club received the funding through the Department of Social Development (DSD)’s Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy.
West Belfast Boxing Club Reopens
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has announced the re-opening of a west Belfast boxing club following a £116,000 refurbishment. Gleann Amateur Boxing Club received the funding through the Department of Social Development (DSD)’s Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy.
20 July 2022
New Belfast Boxing Strategy 'Major Success For The City'
A new Belfast Boxing Strategy has been welcomed as a "major success for the city" by Lord Mayor Christina Black as she welcomed boxing coaches from nations across the Commonwealth to City Hall. The 22nd Commonwealth Games take place in Birmingham this month, and the coaches along with their fighters were in the city for a pre games training camp.
New Belfast Boxing Strategy 'Major Success For The City'
A new Belfast Boxing Strategy has been welcomed as a "major success for the city" by Lord Mayor Christina Black as she welcomed boxing coaches from nations across the Commonwealth to City Hall. The 22nd Commonwealth Games take place in Birmingham this month, and the coaches along with their fighters were in the city for a pre games training camp.
27 September 2012
MLAs Visit Belfast Boxing Club
Northern Ireland MLAs are to visit a Belfast boxing club which claims to have been subjected to sectarianism for a decade.
MLAs Visit Belfast Boxing Club
Northern Ireland MLAs are to visit a Belfast boxing club which claims to have been subjected to sectarianism for a decade.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
