Boxing Ireland’s Youth Forum held its first meeting this week.
The forum, for boxers aged 15 to 23, seeks to centre the voices of leaders of the future in the development of our sport.
This Youth Forum is a key part of our 2024-2028 Strategic Plan. Expressions of Interest in joining the forum were published and shared with all clubs and units in November 2025.
The members of the Forum are:
Caoilte Jones, Golden Gloves Kilkeel, Newry
Carlagh Peake, Ballyhaunis BC Mayo
Divine Luke, Arklow BC Wicklow
Ella Leonard, Monivea BC Galway
Ella Gleasure, Trojan Boxing Club, Kerry
Issac Tennant, Lucan BC Dublin
Isabelle Hawkins, St. Nicholas BC, Tipperary
Jessican Talbot, Lucan BC, Dublin
Kai Davis, Arklow BC, Wicklow
Keelyn O’Flynn, East Cork BC, Cork
Layla Kelly, Baldoyle BC, Dublin
Libby Byrne, Arklow BC, Wicklow
Max Ryan, Lucan BC, Dublin
Max Kennedy, West Kerry BC, Kerry
Nadine Pearson, St. John Bosco BC, Donegal
Niamh Fay, Phoenix of Ballyboughal BC, Dublin
Oisin Foley, Tralee BC, Kerry
Padraig Walsh, Immaculata BC, Antrim
Paul Lavin, Ballinamore BC, Leitrim
Rory McGuiness, Swinford BC, Mayo
Sean Donovan, East Cork BC, Cork
Shauna O’Callaghan, Shannon BC, Clare
Siofra Kenny, Curadh BC, Wicklow
This Forum will meet four times a year, and will discuss and make recommendations on matters including:
- Why young athletes leave boxing and how best to retain them
- What changes would you like to see in our sport at club level?
- What changes would you like to see in our sport at national level?
- Competitions: are there enough competitions for your age & weight?
- How should IABA promote & platform younger athletes?
- The boxing pathway for young athletes
- The coaching pathway for young athletes
- The volunteer pathway for young athletes
The next meeting of the Youth Forum will be in April