Sky Ireland has announced the fourth year of the Sky WNT bursary fund, which will increase this year from €25,000 to €30,000, reaffirming its commitment to supporting the growth and development of Republic of Ireland Women’s National Team (WNT) players, both on and off the pitch.
The Sky WNT Fund is a bursary open to all current Irish Women’s National Team squad players.
It is designed to empower recipients by providing financial support to aid their academic, professional, and post-football career ambitions.
This year, the Sky WNT Fund has been increased to €30,000, which will be split evenly between three winners, each of whom will receive €10,000.
In previous years, the bursary of €25,000 was split between five winners.
WNT players are asked to submit a video to the judging panel outlining their academic or career development goals and how the financial support will be used to contribute to their goals.
“We are thrilled to renew the Sky WNT Fund for a fourth year and to make the bursary bigger than ever,” said Sky Ireland Director of Marketing and Brand, Caroline Donnellan.
“Since Sky began our partnership with the Ireland WNT in 2021, we’ve been working with the FAI to empower the players to achieve everything they can both on and off the pitch and this is what the Sky WNT Fund is all about.”
“Planning for the future can be challenging when playing for both club and country, so we are honoured to provide this support for the squad. Whether it’s for further studies, coaching careers, or business ventures, the 2025 Fund is open to all squad members.”
In 2024 Caitlin Hayes was awarded a Sky WNT bursary to pursue a second degree in Paramedical Science. Lily Agg used the funding to grow her company, ‘LA Tax Advisory’. This specialist tax-advisory firm caters specifically to women footballers, empowering them financially. Megan Connolly used the funding to enrol in courses offered by the PFA Business School. Sophie Whitehouse pursued a master’s degree in ‘Business Sustainability’ at Leeds University Business School and Megan Campbell used the funding for health and fitness education, taking a course in Personal Training.
“The Sky WNT Fund is a great example of a partner and a team working together to make a real difference for the players,” said Hannah Dingley, Head of Women and Girls Football at the FAI.
“We are delighted to be able to help players as they look to further develop themselves and their careers.”
Applications for the Sky WNT Fund will be reviewed by a judging panel consisting of Sky Ireland’s Caroline Donnellan, the FAI’s Hannah Dingley, Lord Mayor of Dublin Emma Blain, and sports journalist Cliona Foley.
Further Reading for Sport for Business members: Sky and FAI Extend Primary Partnerhip to Men’s Team as well as Women’s
SPORT FOR BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE
Treating players as people is so important and using this fund to allow them spread their wings further than the pitch and the training sessions is great to see.
WHAT’S UP NEXT?
The Bursary Awards Winners for 2025 will be announced later in the year. Our twice-daily news bulletins land Monday to Friday, 50 weeks of the year.
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