Community Leader Loses Boxing Trainer Accreditation
A prominent Illawarra boxing figure and community leader has been stripped of his trainer accreditation after a bitter dispute with combat sports authorities. James Grech, owner of Grechys Boxing and Fitness in Barrack Heights and a 2025 Shellharbour City Citizen of the Year finalist, has lost his battle to be reinstated as a registered combat sports trainer.
Tribunal Upholds Controversial Decision
The NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal last month upheld the Combat Sport Authority's decision to prevent Grech from officially working as a trainer. The tribunal found he was not a "fit and proper person" under section 25 of the Combat Sports Act 2013 (NSW), dealing a significant blow to the well-respected community figure.
Grech had been involved in boxing for almost two decades and opened his family-operated gym in 2017. The business, run by himself, his wife, brother and parents, had achieved notable success, including producing an Australian amateur female welterweight champion in 2023.
Pattern of Non-Compliance Revealed
The combat authority's case revealed several compliance issues that ultimately led to their decision. Evidence presented showed that Grech had knowingly submitted a false first aid certificate on December 3, 2021, as part of his application to become an industry participant.
Additionally, he was found to have participated as a trainer during combat sports competitions while unregistered. These incidents occurred on April 10, 2021 at Illawarra Stadium in Berkeley and December 5, 2021 at PCYC Hawkesbury.
The authority also established that Grech had carried out training activities at his Barrack Heights facility between December 4, 2020 and March 31, 2022 without proper registration.
Community Service Versus Compliance Failures
Despite Grech's significant community contributions, including fundraising for the Illawarra Convoy and providing free fortnightly boxing sessions for children with disabilities, the tribunal determined his conduct outweighed these positive aspects.
The Combat Sport Authority argued that Grech's "sustained pattern of non-compliance" had potentially endangered the health and safety of combatants and showed disregard for the Combat Sports Act.
The initial decision to decline Grech's application from March 2025 was made in June, affirmed following an internal review on July 7. Grech promptly applied to the tribunal for an administrative review on July 8, leading to the October 10 hearing that ultimately went against him.
Wide-Ranging Consequences
The tribunal's decision resulted in the cancellation of 28 different classes of industry participant and promoter registration. This comprehensive cancellation affects his ability to work as a promoter, manager, matchmaker and trainer across multiple combat sports including boxing, kick-boxing and mixed martial arts.
The ruling represents a significant setback for the popular Illawarra boxing figure, whose community standing had been highlighted by his recent Citizen of the Year nomination and extensive charitable work through his family business.
