AS THE Irish Sailing Association formally marks its 50th anniversary in Dublin this evening, the ISA president, Neil Murphy, has outlined a change of emphasis for the future of the sport's national authority.

To date, the emphasis has been to establish representation for all of its affiliated clubs and members. The association's functions have included governmental and European liaison in addition to its better known national training schemes, racing rules, handicapping service and coaching to mention a few of its main activities.

The Yachtmaster programme is likely to become a priority soon with the issue of competence and certification becoming a major issue on the continent.

"The average sailor on the water still asks, `What does the ISA do for me?'," Murphy said yesterday. "Perhaps it's a measure of the ISA's success that its main activities have become routine - even to the point of being taken for granted."

The coming years will see the ISA focus on emphasising Ireland's natural asset of its coastline and the opportunities available for employment and enterprise through development, particularly in fishing villages hit by the reduction in fishing quotas. The proposal for a necklace of small marinas and safe moorings is an essential element in the development of the tourism potential in the sport.

Increasing and improving leisure facilities will also be a key part of widening the appeal of the sport and tackling the obstacle of public perception of sailing. Murphy cites the change from the old image of sailing over the last 100 years in Ireland and the sudden growth in participants, out of which the ISA was born, through the Irish Dinghy Racing Association.

"If you look at the old paintings of sailing in Ireland from the beginning of this century, theses will be filled by large schooners. The 1950s saw an explosion 6 dinghy classes followed by the introduction of glass fibre boat production in the 1960s," Murphy said.

"The latest trend is the success of the 1720 sportsboat, which should see sailors of different generations able to compete against each other equally," he added.

But change has brought fresh difficulties which are to be looked at, such as the massive drop out from the sport by late teens and young adults which Murphy estimates can be as high as 95 per cent. The association is shortly to receive the preliminary results of the first proper survey of clubs and members to try to identify and meet people's needs to ensure proper planning.

As for the current presidency, in addition to maintaining the current services, Murphy aims to dispel the notion that dinghy and small boat sailing is in trouble. He also wants to steer the ISA's energies towards "grass roots" enthusiasts on the basis that the association's own operation is secured.