The arrival of a new year is traditionally a chance to turn over a new leaf, and plenty of change is promised in the coming months in Irish rowing.

The biggest single event will be the overdue appointment of the new international coach: the delay is down to the need for funds from the Sports Council, and a decision on this is expected at the end of the month.

It is understood that a coach from outside the country may be appointed quickly once this hurdle has been cleared.

The structures for coach education on the domestic front are also being improved and, pending funding, the Irish Amateur Rowing Union also intend to appoint a national coach.

The new international coach will not have an easy job. While last year's medals at the World Cups and World Championship showed that rowing is one of our strongest international sports, Sydney's disappointment cast a long shadow. A strong coach with a long lead-in period is surely part of the solution.

Bad news may await the new coach, however, as FISA could vote next month to limit the weight of any male lightweight oarsman to 70 kg and female to 57 kg - at present average weights - which would test a number of our best lightweights.

Rowers have long pleaded for a recognised structure by which they can measure their progress towards international class. The international rowing committee of the IARU has recently laid down a preliminary outline for this year.

The year-long programme, including assessments and trials, can be found on Jane Gribbon's rowing website on the UL site: www.ul.ie

Athletes training outside the country include Tony O'Connor (Scotland) and Derek Holland - in England, where he won the British lightweight 5K lightweight sculling trials. And Gearoid Towey is soon set to travel to Australia to train.