AAI to appoint chief executive

The process of restructuring Irish athletics is entering its most significant phase with the search for a new chief executive. The Athletics Association of Ireland (AAI) has begun advertising for the full-time position with a view to filling it by early next year.

A special congress held by the AAI last month concluded with the signing of a new constitution, which had been installed on a temporary basis two years ago following the amalgamation of BLE and the NACA. One of the main components of that constitution is the appointment of a chief executive officer.

The position is being advertised as a business manager, with part of the responsibility covering the establishment of greater commercial links with the athletics governing body. The new officer will also deal with public relations as the position of PRO has been deleted as part of the new constitution.

Paddy McGrattan has already been named as the new national director of coaching, a position that worryingly had been left vacant since Jim Kilty resigned some two years ago. McGrattan has been to the fore of coaching in Northern Ireland for the past six years, and previously worked as a development officer in Antrim.

He officially begins his duties on December 1st, and will be responsible for coaching at all levels up to international standard as well as working with the already designated event coaches.

The new chief executive will be based at the AAI offices in Dublin, and according to Liam Hennessy, a member of the AAI executive, the position will encompass all aspects of Irish athletics. The AAI is also set to restructure its executive, with a new 15-member committee due to be elected at a congress scheduled for next April.

It has also been confirmed the World Cross-Country championships will be staged in Leopardstown on March 23rd-24th next year. The Dublin racecourse was due to host the event last March until foot-and-mouth forced it to be switched to Belgium.