Hennessy excited over new blueprint for Irish athletics

THE blueprint to take Irish athletics into the 21st century will be decided on tomorrow when the grassroots members assemble for an EGM at The Heritage Hotel in Portlaoise.

The new structure, which has been packaged for presentation to the AAI members, is likely to be accepted although there are serious reservations about items like the appointment of an independent chairman.

But yesterday Liam Hennessy, International Secretary of the AAI, appealed to everyone with the interest of the sport at heart to accept it, not just on face value, but on trust.

“It is hugely important that we have an independent chairman for the short term - and I stress that this will be for a period of two years - someone who will be able to be able to interact with the Sports Council,” he said.

“And, believe me, the Irish Sports Council are massively supportive of us. Ossie Kilkenny, the new Chairman of the ISC, has a deep understanding of athletics. He has always been an avid fan and supporter of athletics to the extent of sponsoring athletes, has attended all major championships and he is a statistician par excellence.

“The ISC want this to work 100%. There’s no question of us handing over power to the Irish Sports Council.”

Liam Hennessy is the longest serving member of the Executive. He was elected to Management Committee 26 years ago and has served as PRO, National Secretary for eight years, Vice-President and has been International Secretary for the past few years.

“We all know our shortcomings. But very few of us want to be told we’ve not been doing things right. Here we’ve a fantastic opportunity to put things on the right road and steer our sport into the 21st century.

“We are talking about the creation of more meaningful positions on a more structured basis, highlighting a far greater need for more volunteers,” he said. “Shortcomings within the sport, like the communication process, will automatically improve. There will be people in the office on a day to day basis instead of trying to get somebody while at work.

“And the independent chairman will be for just two years until the President will take over. In the meantime the President will still retain the presidential roles.

“There is a huge amount of marketing to be done. But we must embrace the changes, be positive and remember that things can be reviewed as we go along.

“Sure we can all pick holes but we must remember that it is for the good of the sport. For the first time the most important area of the sport will be funded under the new coaching and technical plan. I can see the benefits. I can see no negatives. At the end of the day democracy will rule.”