Concern over state of slip-ways at National Rowing Centre raised at AGM
However, Williams said that rowing must continue to maintain and stretch the standards. 'That's the passport to continuing to be supported.'
After some lively discussion at the Sport Ireland campus, the 38 delegates passed just three of the proposed rule changes.
They reinstated the men's novice eight for the Irish Championships; tightened rules on club rowers competing overseas and allowed a later entry date for competitions.
Hugh Carvill, ex-Queen's University and a member of Lady Victoria and Neptune, was elected company secretary.
The one controversy of the day came right at the end. Chief executive Michelle Carpenter had spoken of the recent success at the European Championships and the very welcome improvements to the National Rowing Centre, and the prospect of new staff members.
She said that improvement to the slips at the National Rowing Centre, from which rowers race, was 'a long-term project'.
Skibbereen delegate and former board member TJ Ryan said that the slips issue must be addressed, as events could not be held if the current situation continued.
'If we can't run an event due to the slips being inoperable we are letting down the athletes.'
The ESB controls the lake on which the course is laid, and Carpenter told the Irish Independent that 'factors beyond our control' were relevant in the slips issue, where the pontoons are not meeting the high level of the water.
She said the ESB had a remit to keep the fish alive and to retain sufficient water for drinking. Rowing Ireland was working with them.
There are worries about the upcoming Cork regatta. 'We will do everything in our power to make it work,' Carpenter said.
International competition for Ireland continues next weekend. Para rower Tiarnán O'Donnell will compete at the World Cup regatta in Varese in Italy from June 13 to 15. He is the sole entry for the Ireland team, which will travel in numbers to the final World Cup in Lucerne from June 27 to 29.
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