Boxing Australia in Crisis as CEO Resigns Weeks Before Commonwealth Games

Boxing Australia is in crisis after its chief executive Dinah Glykidis resigned on Friday, weeks ahead of the Commonwealth Games.

Her resignation follows that of national Integrity manager Kelly Loakes. High-performance manager (HPM) Jonathan Hall is on leave.

Mr Hall's out-of-office message directs all HPM enquiries to Jamie Pittman, the former Australian national head coach, who in 2024 admitted to "disgusting" sexual misconduct.

The National Sports Tribunal determination documented 11 counts of behaviour including "sexual objectification of women that is puerile, infantile and lacking in sensitivity and awareness", and was described by athletes and support staff as "shocking", "offensive" and "inappropriate".

Pittman chose not to contest the findings and was suspended for six months, but has since returned to a role as the performance pathways lead, putting him in direct contact with athletes.

In 2025, Boxing Australia also split from CombatAus, Australia's high-performance national sporting body, which raised the investigation into Pittman.

Olympic boxer Marissa Williamson-Pohlman, who represented Australia in Paris, posted a video on social media last week alleging that Boxing Australia had "ruined" her "life and career" because she spoke out against Pittman's ongoing employment.

Williamson-Pohlman argued that she had been "bullied, re-victimised and discriminated against" by Boxing Australia, and would not be going to the upcoming Commonwealth Games as a result.

Boxing Australia has strongly denied that claim, telling nine.com.au:

"Boxing Australia categorically rejects Ms Williamson Pohlman's allegation that her non-selection to Boxing Australia's 2026 CGA team was a consequence of complaints made by her against Boxing Australia or its employees."

In a statement Boxing Australia president Phillip Goodes said Ms Glykidis had made a "valuable contribution to Boxing Australia and to the continued growth and professionalism of our sport".

"On behalf of the board and the broader boxing community, we thank Dinah for her dedication and wish her every success in her future endeavours," the statement said.

Ms Glykidis declined to comment on the culture of Boxing Australia when contacted directly by the ABC on June 18, saying she was "not able to speak".

The ABC contacted Ms Glykidis for comment today but she has not responded.

On Monday Ms Loakes said in a statement to the ABC that she "remained committed to supporting the sport and its participants".

But she said she had "ultimately reached the view that the environment [at Boxing Australia] was no longer aligned to my professional values or my approach to integrity and governance".

"The decision to resign was not made lightly," Ms Loakes said.

"I am passionate about creating safe, fair, and accountable sporting environments, and I believe integrity functions are most effective when they are supported and empowered to address issues openly and constructively.

"The lack of support I experienced, combined with the demands associated with managing a high volume of complex integrity matters, had a significant impact on my wellbeing.

"I remain proud of the work I undertook to strengthen integrity systems, educate stakeholders, and support athletes, coaches, officials, and members across the sport.

"Despite the challenges, I am confident that the work completed during my tenure contributed positively to the ongoing development of integrity and safeguarding within the sport."

The resignations leave Boxing Australia without a head coach, integrity manager or permanent HPM ahead of the Commonwealth Games, which begin in Glasgow on July 23.

Boxing Australia has been contacted for comment.