Key posts in IASA filled

New faces were elected to key positions on the IASA's executive at the association's a.g.m. in Cork at the weekend. Leinster's president-elect Mary O'Malley takes over from Munster's Donal Barry, Pat Donovan succeeds Celia Millane as hon secretary and Ulster's Wally Clarke is the new hon treasurer, replacing Ray Kendal who did not seek re-election.

Donovan has been prominent as team manager to Ireland teams in major championships in recent seasons. Celia Millane had held the office for some six years. Clarke has been a representative for the water-polo association on the IASA.

Ray Kendal, a member of the technical swimming committee of LEN, is believed to be in line for promotion on the European governing body which would put additional demands on his time.

The IASA council, in a statement, has expressed its "deepest sympathy to the victims and families of the atrocities which happened over a number of years in the sport".

The association, the statement added, "are putting forward very comprehensive child protection structures in a bid to ensure the acts of the past will never reoccur." The statement adds: "The association have complied fully with the Murphy Inquiry and now awaits the finished report and any recommendations made."

The withdrawal of Government funding is not expected to cut across the association's plans to send a strong team to next month's grand prix event in Sheffield.

The withdrawal of the services of FAS workers at the IASA swimming offices on the Long Mile Road in Dublin is another inconvenience currently been endured at administrative level.

Meanwhile, school and third-level examinations permitting, a team of 12 to 14 competitors, drawn from Team 2,000 could be in action in Sheffield. This will cost the association about £6,000. But original plans to send a team to the Austrian Open this weekend have been scrapped.

Ulster, Leinster and Connacht age-group championships are fixed for this weekend. Munster get their championships under way the following weekend and the swimmer of the year event is scheduled for Belfast on May 30th.