The latest snapshot of female representations on the boards of funded National Governing Bodies of Sport and Local Sports Partnerships shows that gender balance has climbed from 29 percent to 32 percent since March 2020 and from 24 percent since the numbers were formally checked for the first time in 2019.
The Sport Action Plan published last month by the Government calls for a minimum 40 percent representation of each gender on boards by the end of 2023.
The figure has remained the same in Local Sports Partnerships over the last year with females accounting for 37% of Board members.
“The figures in this snapshot are encouraging and I am delighted to see that the average number of females on NGB Boards has increased to 32%,” said Minister of State for Sport Jack Chambers.
“I want to acknowledge the significant efforts that sporting bodies are now making around gender diversity on their boards.”
“It is evident, however, that more work needs to be done and it is a particular priority for me to enable women to take more leadership positions in sport.
19 NGB’s have a minimum 40 percent figure in the latest snapshot.
The Gold stars go to Badminton Ireland, Croquet Association of Ireland, Fencing Ireland, Golf Ireland, Gymnastics Ireland, Irish Sailing Association, Irish Taekwondo Union, Irish Waterski & Wakeboard Federation, National Community Games, Special Olympics Ireland, Student Sport Ireland, Swim Ireland, Volleyball Ireland, Federation of Irish Sport, Olympic Federation of Ireland, Sport Ireland, Rugby League Ireland, Hockey Ireland, and the Ladies Gaelic Football Association
The largest cohort is those who sit between 20 percent and 40 percent, including the GAA and the FAI.
The biggest problem lies with the 20 organisations that have yet to reach 20 percent representation. These include the FAI, IRFU, Cricket Ireland, and the Irish Amateur Boxing Association, which are all among the largest beneficiaries of public funding.
They really need to show a strong push towards positive discrimination in board appointments over the next year in order to stay onside with the Minister and the Department.
“While the snapshot is released annually, the work continues daily throughout the year,” said Sport Ireland Director of Participation, Dr Una May.
“Sport Ireland works closely with organisations to provide resources and support to attain gender diversity, in particular in the make-up of boards and this progress can be seen in the most recent snapshot.”
As well as acknowledging the board composition of funded bodies, Sport Ireland is also monitoring the proportion of women in leadership positions within funded bodies. At present, female CEOs represent 28% of the total CEOs in NGBs (including the Federation of Irish Sport, Olympic Federation and Paralympics Ireland).
Ten NGBs have a female President while 15% of Boards have a female Chairperson. Females also account for 46% of Coordinator roles in the Local Sports Partnerships and 21% of Chairs of these Boards are female.
Sport Ireland hosted a series of webinars for CEOs, LSP Co-ordinators and Board members on the best practice framework for developing and maintaining gender diverse Boards. These webinars will continue in the coming year.
Sport Ireland Women in Sport Lead, Nora Stapleton, added: “This latest snapshot shows that progress continues to be made in addressing gender balance on the boards of National Governing Bodies and Local Sports Partnerships. Numerous NGBs and LSPs continue to deliver excellent Women in Sport Leadership programmes”.
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