ROWING:The new National Rowing Centre is fast becoming an eye-catching marvel of varnished wood and tinted glass; this weekend some of the top athletes in the country begin a camp there with their hearts set on a place in Beijing next year. They know that if they prove themselves their dream will be handsomely resourced.

But this bright vision cannot blind the honest observer to the truth: club rowing in Ireland is struggling.

Before us is a programme from the Neptune Regatta of 1987: there is an entry of 18 senior and elite men's eights. Next weekend the 2007 event will draw considerably fewer.

As for the standard at junior level, national coach Harald Jahrling pulls no punches. Club coaches are not bringing through youngsters who can compete successfully at international level. "The junior standard is too low," he says.

The Irish Amateur Rowing Union has begun to address the problem by appointing Pat McInerney of St Michael's in Limerick as national coach education officer. The popular 49-year-old is leaving his job as an electronic engineer to take up the full-time position, and is looking forward to working with coach tutors who are already in place, while liaising with the National Coaching and Training Centre.

"The number one aim is by this time next year to have more coaches," he says. Those who are already involved must be provided with "what they need to know to be better coaches".

"I hope to get Harald involved as well. But it is not just about Harald and the elite. There are a lot of experienced coaches in the country who know a lot of stuff which can be passed on to other coaches."

He agrees with Jahrling on the standard at junior level. "The numbers are small and the standard is okay, but not great." The proof that we are "far behind" other countries at this level.

Back at the elite level, Jahrling has invited six heavyweight men to this weekend's camp, and hopes to find an Ireland quadruple scull which could qualify a boat this year for the Olympics. "It may be a long shot but we try," Jahrling said yesterday.

The invitees for the second, and final, selection regatta in three week include Dave Heffernan, who missed the first regatta.

Galway's Siobhán McCrohan gets a chance to compete for a senior place thanks to her performances in the first trial.