Rosie Barry has served as President of Squash Ireland since 2019, following four years as Honorary Secretary. A respected leader and medical professional, she has overseen a period of significant modernisation and renewal for the sport in Ireland.

With a professional background as an occupational health physician, Rosie brings strategic, evidence-based thinking to sports governance. Under her leadership, Squash Ireland has transitioned from a largely volunteer-led organisation to a professionally staffed governing body — a transformation marked by the appointment of Scott Graham as its first Chief Executive Officer in 2023.

Barry has also guided the development of the organisation’s long-term strategic plan, Connecting the Dots 2022–2027, which focuses on participation growth, talent development, club support, and the promotion of equality and inclusion within the sport. Her tenure has seen strengthened relationships with key partners and funding agencies, as well as renewed energy around grassroots initiatives and national competitions.

Beyond Ireland, she has played an influential role in European and global squash governance. She served as Vice-President of the European Squash Federation from 2018 to 2023 and has been a strong advocate for greater collaboration and visibility for squash on the international stage.

Her leadership continues to position Squash Ireland as a modern, well-governed, and ambitious organisation — one determined to grow the game at every level and to ensure that Irish squash thrives both domestically and internationally.

She is the first of this year’s New Entrants to our list for 2025

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Previously Listed

Dr Una May, Moira Aston, Mary O’Connor, Michelle Carpenter, Brenda O’Donnell, Sarah Keane, Karen Coventry, Michelle Tanner, Mary McAleese

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This is the 13th edition of the Sport for Business listing of 50 Women of Influence in Irish Sport in partnership once more with our friends at AIG.

We began this journey in 2013, when we were challenged to produce a list of 20 Influential Women in Irish Sport. The 20 stretched to 30, then 40 and 50, and it still does not do justice to the talent out there.

Substantial progress has been made during this time. The Government, mindful of the importance and need for gender equity, challenged Irish sporting bodies to achieve a 60/40 gender split on their main boards or leadership entities by the end of 2023

Internationally, the gender split in doctors ranges from 46 per cent female in New Zealand to 48 per cent in the UK, 52 per cent in France, and 54 per cent in the United States. Sport has, for too long, lagged.

The gender gap in participation is targeted to be non-existent by 2027, and the profile of our elite athletes is as high for Katie Taylor, Katie McCabe, Rhasidat Adeleke and Leona Maguire as it is for the best of our men.

We are nearing the point where sport is sport regardless of gender.

The gap remains too big in media, sponsorship, attendance, and funding, but it is only by highlighting the wrongs that we can make them right.

This year’s list will again draw from all the multiple areas that make up sport. From the fields of play to the corridors of power, from the boardroom to the studio, and from every corner of the country.

We will divide the list into the CEO Club, the Influencers, and the Sponsors Lounge. the Administrators and others

This year, once again, we will challenge ourselves to generate at least 40 per cent of new entrants to ensure that fresh recognition is given to those making a mark.

This will mean some who fully deserve to remain stepping aside but that is part of what influence and leadership is about and they are in no way diminished by their not being on the list this year.

The list we will build over the coming weeks is a snapshot of women who are changing the way sport is played, consumed, grown, and delivered.

They are part of making the role of women in sport unexceptional by being exceptional in what they do.

Recognition of their contribution is rarely asked for but is entirely deserved, and we want your help in identifying those who you feel should be among them.

So, who do you think should be on the list for 2025?

 

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Further Reading for Sport for Business members:

Read our Sport for Business Coverage of Sponsorship

SPORT FOR BUSINESS  Upcoming Events

 

 

November 20th – Playing for the Planet – A new event focused on Sustainability in Sport with the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport

December 9th – Our 12th Annual Women in Sport Conference in partnership with Lidl.

January – The Sporting Year Ahead 2026 in partnership with Teneo.

 

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