Heskin plays his part on all fronts

Rowing:Ireland team manager Mike Heskin certainly does not shirk work in his new - voluntary - position.

Not only does the Galway businessman play his part in overseeing the separate structures of the Ireland lightweight and heavyweight squads, but he is concerned with developing the sport at lower levels.

Last week he met representatives of the Irish Sports Council to submit the draft of the performance plan for the season, and the discussion also turned to prospects in the longer term "starting this year and moving all the way through towards London (the 2012 Olympics)".

Heskin says the Sports Council were receptive to the need to provide money where the funding process will be based on the structure being put in place as well as the results. Rowing may mirror sports such as tennis or swimming, by drawing down monies to build below the top level.

"It's a parallel approach. We will be showing them what we are trying to do year in, year out in terms of World Championships. Also we will be showing them what we are trying to do to develop the sport," said Heskin yesterday.

The new International Rowing Committee has already appointed Colm Joyce to the voluntary post of development manager, to work alongside junior convenor Clare Cox and under-23 manager Ciara Ní Chéilleachair. Pat McInerney, who is the professional coach education officer of the union, is also up and running in his job.

Garth Young, the chairman of the International Rowing Committee, talks of the work already being done to develop a "performance pathway" for young athletes, which makes it clear what has to be done at each stage of development and provides support structures. There is a need to put new resources in here, rather than all going to the top, he says.

Young has been involved in this work in Northern Ireland, and funding there comes in the form of Sport NI paying a talent development co-ordinator, Keith Bailey. The New Zealander works part time with the Ulster Branch of the Irish Amateur Rowing Union. Young says that talent identification will also be re-activated, with assistant coach Debbie Fox devoting some time to this in the New Year.

In the more immediate future, the minds of Ireland's top rowers are firmly on the first national time trial in Inniscarra next weekend. The entry includes the three British-based athletes who are in camp with the Irish heavyweights in France.

Gearóid Towey and Sinéad Jennings are surprising omissions, but both intend to compete.