Men's hockey: Paul Varian is hockey's new chief executive officer. A well-known name in the sport, particularly up around Three Rock Rovers and Monkstown, the 32-year-old will take up his position with immediate effect.
The appointment is the first step in a shift towards the professional running of hockey in Ireland, which has never before had a full-time, salaried administrator at the top end of the structure.
A former Wesley College and Sandford Park pupil, Varian also played with Monkstown hockey club before departing overseas after graduating from Trinity. He spent over 10 years working in the business services sector in Australia, Canada and the United States.
Clearly the sport has looked to one of its own to fill the position, although Varian arrives as a distant relative more than one who has been totally immersed in the game since school days.
His age and energy are likely to be seen as a huge positive in a sport that is largely youthful.
His biographical handout points out that in 2000 Varian served as managing director of the Canadian division of the business and research group IQPC, where he turned the previously unprofitable operations around to a million dollar profit within one year, increasing sponsorship revenues six-fold.
More recently in Ireland he has been a part of the management team developing Merrion Day Surgery Hospital, Ireland's first stand-alone day surgery hospital, currently under construction at Elm Park in south Dublin.
He will focus immediately on fund raising and sponsorship as Ireland face into a year in which they host the women's European Championships in Belfield in 2005 while the men's team will be competing in the men's European Championships in Rome at around the same time.
"The funding area is very much at the centre of what I'll be involved in," said Varian. "There is only so much you can do without money. Initially I'll carry out an in-depth examination of the product of Irish hockey.
"We don't see sponsorship as a philanthropic donation. It is not on to do that in this age. But there are sports that would give their right eye to have what hockey has.
"We would see it as part of our initiative to push hockey out to people who haven't played it before. We aim to make it a sport for everyone. But it's not enough to rely on the Irish Sports Council and affiliation fees. It is very important to become involved in corporate sponsorship."
Varian's appointment comes as part of hockey's strategic plan.
A hockey column, intended for last Saturday's edition, was printed in error in Monday's newspaper.
TOMORROW: LEINSTER SENIOR LEAGUE: Division One: Clontarf v Dublin University, 3.0, Mount Temple; TRR v Monkstown, 3.0, Grange Road; Pembroke Wanderers v Railway Union, 2.0, Serpentine Ave; Glenanne v YMCA, 3.15pm, Glenanne Park; Corinthians v Aer Lingus, 12.30, Whitechurch Park.
MUNSTER SENIOR LEAGUE: Division One: Harlequins II v Belvedere, Ballincollig 1.30; Waterford I v Catholic Institute I Newtown, 1.30; UCC A v Church of Ireland B, Mardyke, 11.0; Waterford A v Catholic Institute I.
