CO-OPERATION from all sectors of the IASA, for the good of swimming, is the expressed New Year wish of the association's recently appointed National coach, Ger Doyle.
New Ross man Doyle does not conceal an anxiety, either, for closer liaison to be seen between the IASA and triple Olympic gold medallist Michelle Smith.
"We need to be aware of her ideas and stand by her just as we need all sections of the association, individual or otherwise, to pull together for the good of the sport," he said.
Could this mean that Smith will be assured of more favourable consideration in future for travelling home and abroad and that Hong Kong is but a bad dream?
A lack of basic contact between our Olympic champion and relevant IASA personnel is reflected in the national coach's comments. Asked for an opinion on the question of Smith's recent return to competitive action in Bordeaux, Doyle said: "I was delighted to see that she is back in the water. I did not really hear what she did. I believe she won the 50 metres free-style but I don't know what else. I don't know what her times were
Of her subsequent swim in the US on Christmas Eve, Doyle humorously added: "Again, I am one of these people who would not be told. I'd be the last to hear they forget to tell me."
Doyle would have wished Smith to be part of his team for the European championships in Rostock, Germany, a few weeks ago. A meeting shortly with the IASA's director of swimming Dave McCullough is eagerly awaited by the new coach. "I don't know what Dave has got back from Michelle. We haven't had a chance to sit down and discuss anything since my appointment was announced."
Doyle enthuses over his swimmers recent performances in Rostock and subsequently at the British ASA winter short-course championships.
Lee Kellefrer, based at Millfield College in England, attained records in the 50 and 100 butterfly in Rostock and later achieved new times on 100 backstroke in, Sheffield. Niamh Cawley from, Claremorris broke the Irish junior record in 100 backstroke to smash Niamh O'Connor's nine-year-old-time with 1:04.6. A further back-stroke swim at 50 metres by Kelleher rewrote O'Connor's record with 30.4 seconds.
Paul McCarthy, who recently joined Doyle's New Ross club, was quite a revelation in Shefield where he celebrated the transition from junior to senior swimming by setting a 200 butterfly Irish record with a time of 2:01.9. McCarthy's 55.5 at 100 metres qualified him for membership of the Irish Elite team.
Mary Corless of Tuam was particularly impressive with 2:32 for 200 breast stroke which also put her onto the Irish elite team.
Earlier training for the team would be essential for future European short-course competitions held in December, says Doyle. Despite an early season best of 55.9 seconds for Olympian Adrian O'Connor at 100 backstroke in, Rostock, Doyle insists that the Irish squad will have to follow the example of the successful Swedish squad and assemble much earlier for the tests.
Leinster and Munster swimmers have been involved in a special training camp at Mill field since Christmas. The Leinster graded meeting, fixed for Dublin, and the Ulster senior schools tests at the Grove Baths, both next weekend, are the chief events arranged for this month, followed by the Connacht schools championships on January 18th. On the same day the Coca Cola Age Groups are fixed for Newtownards.
Major long-course events are scheduled for Denmark (Sjaellands Open) and in Geneva on January 17th, 18th and 19th. Malmo and Glasgow are the world Cup venues at the end of the month and the IASA agm will convene in Galway on January 24th-25th.
