Madam, - Following the decision by the Sports Council to cut grant aid to Swim Ireland due to its long-running legal problems, I would like to point out that while élite swimmers will not be directly affected by the loss of funding, Irish Waterpolo will be.
Three years ago, at the request of the Sports Council, the Irish Waterpolo Association (IWPA) became an affiliate body of Swim Ireland for grant aid purposes, with funding being routed through Swim Ireland. The IWPA, a vibrant organisation with men's, women's, and boys' international teams winning regularly around Europe, has now been hit hard by issues in which we are not involved.
Already our international players, including our juniors, fund a large portion of the cost of their trips. I personally spent over €1,000 on two trips to represent my country last year. The IWPA will now be approaching the Sports Council directly to appeal for funding to be routed directly to us, so that we may continue to develop our International programme. - Yours, etc.,
COLIN MORRISSEY, PRO, Irish Waterpolo Association, Kilworth Road, Dublin 12.