ISA Board Publishes Recommendations from Small Boat Sailing Forum

12th April 2013

#isa –The ISA President Niamh McCutcheon says the association's decision in 1998 to move away from utilising voluntary support has been a significant factor in the 'perceived disengagement of the membership from the operations of the ISA'. The conclusion is contained in ISA Board recommendations from March's Dinghy Sailing Forum published today (download the full recommendations as a pdf below).

The 1998 strategic plan was, however, unanimously approved by the membership and in its foreword the then president Neil Murphy expressly referred to the association's requirement for volunteer involvement 'whose contribution was crucial to the success of the ISA'. (PDF of the 1998 strategic plan foreword is downloadable below).

Today's recommendations follow the motion proposed by Norman Lee and Bryan Armstrong at the ISA AGM held on 2nd March. Following intense discussion on Afloat.ie a meeting was called to discuss the future of Small Boat Sailing and Youth training in Ireland. This meeting was held in the National Yacht Club on 23rd March.

The President says in her recommendations there are a number of action items that may help in the short term but there is no simple solution. 'The implementation of changes to the strategies and structure of an organisation such as the ISA will evolve in time, and only with the help and support of clubs, classes and training centres'.

The March forum was chaired by former ISA President Paddy Maguire, and heard strong views from another former president Roger Bannon. Over 120 (including 14 ISA Board and staff members) were present, representative mainly from the Dublin area from a wide range of Small Boat Sailing interests - clubs, training centres & classes.

Comment on this topic is welcome below

Downloads

Dinghy_Sailing_Forum_Board_Recommendations.pdf (899 Downloads)
Dinghy_Sailing_Forum_minutes.pdf (1104 Downloads)
Dinghy_Sailing_Forum_Background_Notes.pdf (943 Downloads)
1998strategicplan.pdf (877 Downloads)

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Irish Sailing

The Irish Sailing Association, also known as Irish Sailing, is the national governing body for sailing, powerboating and windsurfing in Ireland.

Founded in 1945 as the Irish Dinghy Racing Association, it became the Irish Yachting Association in 1964 and the Irish Sailing Association in 1992.

Irish Sailing is a Member National Authority (MNA) of World Sailing and a member of the Olympic Federation of Ireland.

The Association is governed by a volunteer board, elected by the member clubs. Policy Groups provide the link with members and stakeholders while advising the Board on specialist areas. There is a professional administration and performance staff, based at the headquarters in Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.

Core functions include the regulation of sailing education, administering racing and selection of Irish sailors for international competition. It is the body recognised by the Olympic Federation of Ireland for nominating Irish qualified sailors to be considered for selection to represent Ireland at the Olympic Games. Irish sailors have medalled twice at the Olympics – David Wilkins and Jamie Wikinson at the 1980 games, and Annalise Murphy at the 2016 games.

The Association, through its network of clubs and centres, offers curriculum-based training in the various sailing, windsurfing and powerboating disciplines. Irish Sailing qualifications are recognised by Irish and European Authorities. Most prominent of these are the Yachtmaster and the International Certificate of Competency.

It runs the annual All-Ireland Championships (formerly the Helmsman’s Championship) for senior and junior sailors.

The Association has been led by leading lights in the sailing and business communities. These include Douglas Heard, Clayton Love Junior, John Burke and Robert Dix.

Close to 100 sailors have represented Ireland at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Membership of Irish Sailing is either by direct application or through membership of an affiliated organisation. The annual membership fee ranges from €75 for families, down to €20 for Seniors and Juniors.