Athletics Ireland and Dundrum South Dublin Athletic Club (DSD AC) have announced a new partnership to support the development of elite female coaches and strengthen leadership pathways for women in Irish athletics.
The initiative will see funding directed specifically towards the progression of female coaches operating at a high-performance level, creating greater opportunities for women to gain experience and lead within elite athletics environments.
DSD AC, the parent organisation of DSD Events, which organises the VHI Women’s Mini Marathon and the Sandyford 5K, said the partnership builds on an existing collaborative relationship with Athletics Ireland and reflects a shared commitment to advancing women’s sport through both club and national structures.
The announcement comes at a time when increasing female representation in coaching and leadership roles has become a key focus across Irish sport. The partnership aligns with Athletics Ireland’s recently launched Women in Sport Strategic Plan and is designed to address one of its core priorities: supporting women to progress within high-performance coaching.
DSD AC Chairperson Gerry McGrath said the initiative reflects the club’s long-standing commitment to creating opportunities for women and developing excellence in athletics.
“DSD AC has long been committed to cultivating elite talent and creating meaningful impact for women,” he said. “We’re proud to be working with Athletics Ireland on an initiative that aligns with our values and delivers long-term benefits for women in sport.”
The partnership follows a successful year for DSD AC, which was recently named Performance Club of the Year at the National Athletics Awards. The recognition reflected the club’s continued success in athlete development and competitive achievement at the national and international levels.
Athletics Ireland Chief Executive Hamish Adams welcomed the collaboration, highlighting the critical role coaches play in supporting athletes and driving performance.
“Partnerships like this are vital to the continued growth and success of Irish athletics,” said Adams. “By investing in the development of elite female coaches, we are strengthening the foundation that supports our athletes at every level.
“This collaboration with DSD AC reflects a shared commitment to creating more opportunities for women to lead, excel, and shape the future of our sport. It’s an important step towards building a more inclusive and high-performing athletics community in Ireland.”
Athletics Ireland Women in Sport Lead Anna Grealish described the funding commitment as an important milestone in delivering on the organisation’s strategic objectives.
“Supporting female high-performance coaches is a key priority within Athletics Ireland’s Women in Sport Strategic Plan,” she said. “We are committed to creating greater opportunities for women to gain experience and visibility within high-performance environments.
“The ring-fenced funding provided through this partnership with DSD AC represents a significant step forward, enabling us to accelerate progress in this area. I’m excited about the opportunities this will create and the long-term impact it will have on women’s leadership within Irish athletics.”
The initiative is the latest example of targeted investment in women’s sport and coaching development, with both organisations expressing confidence that it will help build a stronger pipeline of female coaching talent to support athletes at the highest levels in the years ahead.
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