Rowing/IARU agm: Those who loudly champion causes and sharpen their criticisms of the powers that be through the year get their chance to act at the agm of the Irish Amateur Rowing Union. But they are rarely there. As ever, the usual core of volunteers will turn up in Dublin tomorrow for this year's event for more behind-the-scenes work.

Volunteerism is seriously under threat in Ireland, and a number of reports before tomorrow's meeting reflect this: the Leinster branch sent clubs application forms seeking support for water safety courses but none replied; the IARU Development Committee is inactive for want of input. The core can only do so much.

Frank Durkin, the union's president, wants paid development officers, but says it is unlikely funding will be found. He suggests paying "pre-agreed expenses" to volunteers. The Leinster branch has postponed its courses but come up with the innovative idea of producing a DVD, Introduction to Rowing, which clubs could screen.

Big sports have the advantage of spectacle. Rowing was to go down this road this month, but the Intercounty Sprints at the Docklands in Dublin has had to be abandoned for lack of entries. "In fairness to people we left it a bit late to get it off the ground," says Durkin, who is intent on staging it next year, and is happy sponsorship will be available.

Controversy attracts its own headlines, but the issue of the eligibility of one of the crews at the National Championships has been treated in a deliberate and slow way by the IARU. The executive meeting tonight will have a written report before it on the status of one of the athletes.

Two of the big decisions at tomorrow's agm - which will be held at the Sheldon Park Hotel on the Kylemore Road as the conference centre of Sport HQ is unavailable - concern the setting of the schedule for the year ahead and the election of officers.

A draft schedule has been drawn up, with the new rules on status giving a weighting to certain regattas - but debates are likely as regattas and heads are slotted into position.

The one election will be between Terry McEvoy and Honorary Treasurer John McGeehan. Durkin and Honorary Secretary Denis O'Regan are set to be returned unopposed.

The World Masters in Strathclyde in Scotland last weekend brought Ireland another haul of medals, with Lady Victoria, Cappoquin, Bann and Masters specialists Old Collegians doing well.