The advance of respect for Women in Sport has accelerated in recent years and is already in a better place than many might have imagined. But it has still got a long way to go to achieve the parity of esteem we have been pushing the agenda on for a decade. We have been far from alone but progress is all about today and tomorrow and we cannot ease up.
Change generally comes in smaller rather than larger gestures. In the everyday improvements that add up over time to make a real difference.
It’s the 24/7 spotlight that matters and to keep that on, Sport for Business, with the support of our Women in Sport Partner Lidl will, each Friday for the next 24 weeks, highlight seven things in the week gone by that have been important to note in the world of Women in Sport.
Week Ending December 9th, 2022
One: WOMEN IN RUGBY REPORT PUBLISHED BY THE IRFU
Women’s Rugby requires an additional €2.4 million, on top of the annual €5.5 million committed in the recent annual report, to implement the recommendations contained in the Women In Rugby Report published today arising out of Amanda Bennett’s independent review of the Women’s Rugby landscape.
The shortfall was reduced immediately with Kevin Potts, CEO of the IRFU, straight away pledging an additional €1 million from internal resources.
The balance will need to be found over the coming years from external sources which could include Government through Sport Ireland or via new or enhanced commercial partnerships.
The report’s findings are drawn from a survey conducted by leading market research consultancy, Opinions Market Research, and 77 interviews with a range of stakeholders directly involved in the women’s game in Ireland.
Two: PAUW ON BOARD FOR SPORT IRELAND’S ITS MY TIME CAMPAIGN
Republic of Ireland Women’s National Football Team manager, Vera Pauw, has pledged her support to Sport Ireland’s “It’s My Time” campaign encouraging women over 40 to prioritise their wellbeing and take time to exercise and play sport.
The campaign was one of a number launched recently by Sport Ireland looking to reach out to different specific sectors of society.
Capturing Vera Pauw is something of a coup given her steering the Republic of Ireland to next Summer’s FIFA World Cup where they will open the tournament against Australia in Sydney.
Three: 70 percent GROWTH IN VIEWERSHIP FOR WSL
Speaking at the SportsPro summit this week Sky Sports’ Gary Hughes revealed that viewing figures for the Women’s Super League were up by 70 percent this year and attributed it to the halo effect of the Lionesses at the Euro’s.
Four: RECORD FA CUP ATTENDANCE
More positivity in Football with news that a new attendance record of 28,565 was set for the Women’s FA Cup in England when Newcastle United played host to Barnsley
Five: ROVERS CONTINUE EXPANSION WITH SIGNING OF STEPHANIE ROCHE
Stephanie Roche has joined Áine O’Gorman among the marquee names signing up for Shamrock Rovers for next season.
It was a busy week for the former Peamount player after she was also unveiled as one of the contestants on RTÉ’s Dancing With the Stars in January.
Six: LIDL NAMES SCHOOLS FOR SERIOUS SUPPORT
Lidl Ireland has announced the 26 schools, one in every county in the Republic of Ireland, that have been chosen to participate in its #SeriousSupport Schools Programme for the 2022-23 school year.
The programme represents an investment of €120,000 in local schools across the country. It is also an indication of the depth to which the partnership runs in communities and throughout the sport.
In January 2022, Lidl Ireland announced a four-year extension of its award-winning sponsorship of the LGFA, which will ultimately mark a decade of #SeriousSupport. The extension will represent an investment of €10 million in 10 years of sponsorship by the retailer.
Seven: LATEST NAMES ON WOME OF INFLUENCE LIST
This week we added Jessica Long, Rita Kirwan, Anne McCormack, Cliodhna Guy, Allyson Gormley, Louise Burke and Michelle Tanner to our 50 Women of Influence in Irish Sport. The list is now almost complete with only ten more to be added next week…
