In what is probably the biggest shake-up in the sport, the Irish Sailing Association will today formally launch its much heralded strategic plan covering the next five years. It is understood that the ISA is one of the first national bodies to produce such a plan in response to the Irish Sports Council initiative.
The first major step in the plan has already taken place with the agreed resignation of the ISA Executive and Council with a stream-lined eight member board taking over each of the key areas. That is where the new structure ends with individual sailors now encouraged to take on small tasks rather than joining committees.
The new structure provides for an 11-member Policy Review Group, independent of the ISA that will examine progress towards goals contained in the Strategic Plan. This body, drawn from clubs around Ireland will meet four times a year and, effectively, will cross-examine each of the ISA Directors on behalf of the 16,000 members of the association.
The PRG will report to the association's annual general meeting each spring on the ISA's progress and on any areas that have failed to meet expectations at this time.
While the strategy document, entitled Sailing - the lifelong sport, sets out the stall for the ISA's entire direction over the coming five years, a separate working document lists the specific measures envisaged to achieve the goals.
The measures are aimed at the vast bulk of popular sailors as well as setting clear targets for the improvement of elite and international competition.
The working plan includes a variety of measures for each of the directorates, many of which will not be immediately apparent or will take place at official and representative level. Several notable exceptions to this are likely to have considerable impact at local level around Ireland.
For example, under the Boating Director's plans, every club in the country should be computerised with full e-mail and Internet access. A national Boating Safety Weekend along with a safety Certificate and special safety notices are among other initiatives.
The Training Director will be implementing a scheme aimed at non-competitive skills such as cruising and seamanship.
For racing sailors, a programme of improving domestic competition will be launched following regional consultation with participants before establishing racing councils to look after handicapping and results. The existing Race management courses are to be extended and a National Ranking Scheme for all sailors is to be introduced.
Increasing the number of participants in the sport is a major element of the strategy and several initiatives are planned here including: Grant aid for "taster courses', National publicity plan and back-up from the national Development Officer. In the longer term, the appointment of a full-time Club Development Officer is also planned.
