Athletes call for greater role in policy

ROWING: A BIG, busy, agm of the Irish Amateur Rowing Union (IARU) in Dublin on Saturday heard a call by a group of international athletes for more representation in decision-making.

Seán Casey of the heavyweight four which finished 10th in Beijing said the coaching structure had been changed last year without consultation with the athletes. Looking to the new Olympiad, there had been a lot of talk of continuity, but the athletes had still not had a review. "We are starting from zero," he said.

Ireland team manager Mike Heskin suggested that an IARU review be held without delay, and the meeting was in favour. The review is likely to be completed before interviews are held for the new post of performance director.

In a repeat of the pattern of recent years, the delegates were split over the need to reform the calendar to allow a longer season. The National Championships will be held over the three days from July 10th-12th, a move strongly backed by university clubs. But there were impassioned calls for the championships to be placed in September.

Seán Coffey of Muckross said that the present season was "crazy". He had to explain to secondary school students why the busiest time for regattas falls opposite their exams, while the doors of the boathouse are bolted come mid-July.

He said the number of rowers registered, just over 2,100, was "an embarrassing figure when you look at the money going into Irish rowing".

There were a number of calls for a radical look at the season to be held in time for a new structure to be tried in 2010.

Outgoing president Frank Durkin stepped down after six years. He said there had been a surge in the number of juniors rowing, but the number of seniors has continued to decline.

Incoming president Tony Dooley, who was elected unopposed, said success at Olympics was an aim they all shared, but the number of international athletes was tiny compared to the size of the system like that in Britain.

It was crucial that Ireland created "a vibrant under-23 system" if we were to achieve the aim of Olympic medals.

In the only election of the day, John McGeehan saw off the challenge of Michael R Hughes for the post of honorary treasurer.

In a break with the usual practice, the press were not given the report of the accounts of the union. Chief executive Martin Corcoran said they had to be shown first to the Irish Sports Council.