Funding reflects rising ISA standards at world level

Steady progress and results counted in the top 10 by world standards in the build-up to Sydney 2000 have boosted sailing's share of the Irish Sports Council grant programme announced earlier this week. The figures show the Irish Sailing Association accounting for £281,000 of the £4 million government package - the second highest allocation.

Just over half goes towards Olympic preparation to cover all costs involved. This figure is set to jump again when the National Carding Scheme awards are announced, with sailing athletes expected to receive almost £100,000 that goes directly to each team to defray their own costs.

Further finance for the Sail Sydney fund-raising campaign delivers contributions from clubs, individuals and companies that should boost the ISA Olympic Committee's combined resource to well over £500,000 towards the games.

The ISA view the awards as evidence of getting sailing in line with accepted sporting standards with the results by the elite athletes endorsing this strategy.

Appropriately, Europe single-hander Maria Coleman recorded another class World Championship result in the top 10 in Brazil last week. The West Cork sailor together with Finn single-hander David Burrows have demonstrated previously unseen consistency at Olympic level and have raised Irish medal expectations at Sydney.

However, no team management official has ever encouraged this view except to point to the gap between top 10 and top three. "Its far easier to break into the top three from a top 10 position that's the task for the final build-up to the games," said one manager. Medal chances aside, officials are quietly pleased that their programme strategy is working and can be favourably compared to the established sailing nations.

Away from the elite end of the sport, the balance of funding is split between several areas with ISA administration now receiving £80,000 from the government, an increase of £10,000 over the previous year to take account of new staff. Organisational development is down to £20,750 taking account of the completion of the strategy development plan "Sailing - the lifelong Sport" that was launched a year ago.

The remainder of that funding is divided across four areas: National coaching programme (£5,000), youth sailing scheme (£5,000), disabled sailing programme (£10,000) and strategic development (£750). These are specific schemes that the ISA applies for each year and change annually. Previously, the association has administered grant assistance for rescue boat replacement totalling £30,000 per annum for two years to which the ISA has added £5,000 from its own resources.

These development schemes are aimed at marginal areas or clubs and groups with limited resources. An adult sail training programme has also been funded with other proposals considered if sufficient demands are made.

Established clubs and classes can also apply for funds to help stage international events in Ireland or for affiliated classes sending representatives to major international championships and £22,500 has been made available in the grant scheme for these areas.

The ISA is also quick to point to the lack of gate receipts in sailing for its relatively low income level.