Rowing NewsSport in Ireland is changing. The professionalisation at the top level contrasts starkly with the growing problem of the lack of volunteers - and sports-mad, fit kids - at the other end.

The publication of the Strategic Plan of the Irish Amateur Rowing Union prompts thoughts along these lines partly because its upbeat analysis of the sport reads a little like those political party manifestos which give ringing endorsement to acknowledged successes and devote hopeful phrases to those areas where progress needs to be made.

There is, we are told, "an extensive programme of regattas and events in Ireland (which) are great social and competitive occasions and are increasing in popularity".

Spectator turnout is, however, only a secondary indicator of success in a participatory sport, but some of the biggest events were poorly supported this year and few events take the task of facilitating the spectator seriously.

Similarly, it may be fair to say that "there has been increased coverage in the media", but is there any evidence that once the Olympic bandwagon has rolled away the amount of coverage will not fade back to its usual, generally poor, level?

At club level and above it sometimes seems as if the sport expects media coverage to descend; rather than facilitating or even organising it.

A "media training programme" is cited as part of the international rowing strategy. We await the fruits of this with interest.

Sponsorship is not dealt with in the plan, yet it touches on so many other areas. Spectator and media concerns are usually dealt with rapidly once a serious sponsor takes an interest in a sport or individual event.

It's a chicken and egg situation: if an event can offer coverage and an enthusiastic public, the sponsors follow. There are plans of this sort in the pipeline.

The Strategic Plan, which was well-received when presented in outline at last year's a.g.m., is, it should be said, a good-looking document with plenty to ponder on for those involved in rowing.

The excellent record of the sport at international level - with about 4,000 registered competitors it has produced a disproportionate share of Irish successes - is noted. And part of the "vision" for the next four years is: "We will win a medal in the Beijing Olympics." It is not beyond the sport to achieve this.

It is evident - although there has been no public announcement to this effect - that the Sports Council is playing an increasingly proactive role in the running of the elite level of many sports in Ireland.

In rowing, for instance, the Sports Council will be directly involved in the upcoming appointments of the high-performance director and head coach.

The very top level of athletes will be taken care of in a manner commensurate with the treatment they would receive in other wealthy countries.

This should, however, trigger some soul-searching. In other countries the professionalisation of sport has moved forward in tandem with well-funded talent identification schemes and national funding of sport all the way down to primary school level. Here, party political interests are sometimes the best indicator of whether a local project will be funded.

After Athens it might be worth considering whether we need both legs in working order if we are to win the race to Beijing.