Boxing Australia Order of Merit - Ted Tanner

Published Wed 23 Nov 2022

At Boxing Australia’s Annual General Meeting, the voting members approved an order of merit (previously known as Life Membership) to Mr Ted Tanner.

Ted grew up in a boxing family and it was only a matter of time before he made his way into the sport as a volunteer administrator, dedicating more than four decades to boxing, both domestically and internationally.

A member of the Victorian Parliament and after the passing of his father, who himself served for decades in boxing, Ted was invited onto the Committee of Management of Boxing Victoria in 1980. This was just the beginning of a long boxing journey, including a significant term as President of Boxing Victoria (1987-2005).

After a successful 18 years with Boxing Victoria Ted was then elected in 2005 as a Director of Boxing Australia’s Board and President/Chairperson which he held successfully until he decided not to re-stand for the position at the 2022 Boxing Australia AGM in Nov (2005-2022).

During his first year he oversaw the change of Boxing Australia from a Council of States to one overseen by an Independent Board of Management. “This was a momentous change, but one that Ted ensured occurred seamlessly. He provided exceptional leadership which has ensured a stable organisation for boxing in what has, at times, been a turbulent environment,” Mr David Pike Secretary of Boxing Victoria said.

Ted has always kept the athletes, officials and the sport as a whole at the forefront of his mind in all decision making ensuring the best outcome for all across Australia. Mr Garry Moore added “His knowledge of boxing rules is probably unsurpassed by all but a few and ability to balance competing interests and forces within the wider boxing community has been inspirational. His character and manner have contributed enormously to his success as a boxing administrator.”

This did not stop there but continued when dealing with Olympic and Commonwealth Games Committees to ensure Australia gets fairly treated on the international stage.

Ted became a member of the AIBA Executive Committee in 2010 and held the Vice President position from 2014 until 2022.

From 2014, Ted was President of the Oceania Boxing Confederation and has devoted a great deal of time and effort in working to advance the interest of the Oceania Boxing Confederation (OCBC) and of its constituent National Federations. He secured concessions for OCBC from IBA (previously known as AIBA) relating to the costs ordinarily demanded by IBA of Continental Confederations and National Federations in order to stage Championships and tournaments. He put a great deal of effort into arranging and promoting training and qualification courses for Oceania referees, judges, coaches and other boxing officials. Ted’s efforts have assisted in lifting boxing standards across the Pacific.

Ted served as an international technical official from 2011, officiating at Elite and Underage Men’s and Women’s World Championships, Olympic Games and other international tournaments, improving the sport as he proceeded.

Ted has navigated and dedicated many years of service to the sport of boxing across 42 years. This is a significant milestone as a volunteer and one that has been celebrated with the Boxing Australia’s Order of Merit.

On behalf of the board of directors, staff, boxing community and stakeholders of Boxing Australia and those who Ted has dealt with along the way, we would like to thank Ted for his significant service and contribution to the sport both domestically and internationally. We wish Ted a well-deserved rest and looking forward to seeing him around the sport.

Ted’s key milestones:

  • Member of Boxing Victoria Committee of Management (1980 – 2005)
  • President of Boxing Victoria (1987 – 2005)
  • Chairperson/President of Boxing Australia (2005 – 2022)
  • Member of the AIBA (IBA) Executive Committee (2010 – 2022)
  • International Technical Official (2011 – 2022)
  • President of Oceania Boxing Confederation (2014 – 2022)
  • Vice President of AIBA (IBA) (2014 – 2022)
  • Board of Management for Commonwealth Games Australia (2016-2018)


Further tributes from key stakeholders:

Whilst we are unable to publish all thanks to Ted, if you wish to personally thank him, please click on the link below to leave a message and it will be passed on.

Leave message here for Ted