“Anything is possible but you have to make it happen by asking.” That was the message delivered by Clare Balding to an audience of opinion formers within sport and business gathered yesterday at Croke Park for the launch of ‘Wise Up’, a new body of research conducted by Liberty Insurance exploring issues around Women in Sport in Ireland.
Balding was brought over to Ireland by Sport for Business as part of the launch and delivered and ‘inspiring’ audience with the invited group which left those involved inspired and ready to do whatever they can to give what Balding describes as “equal billing and equal respect to men and women taking part in sport.”
That is precisely what Liberty did in 2013 when combining the sponsorship of the All Ireland Camogie and Hurling Championships for the first time.
It’s commitment to playing a leadership role in maintaining the momentum of support for Women in sport was summed up by Head of Marketing Annette Ní Dhathlaoí in opening the event.
“Every day women of all ages and abilities are engaging in sport.”
“They are doing so because they know it is good for them to be physically active, because they know it is something that will enhance their confidence and because they have had the guts to overcome what can sometimes be high barriers to their getting in a sweat.”
“It is not every day though that we can gather together such a strong audience of people that can make a difference to tearing down those barriers.”
“When Liberty Insurance committed to partner with Hurling and Camogie between 2013 and 2017 we assumed a responsibility to drive the profile of women sports.”
“By putting the power, skill and commitment of women athletes on an equal platform with male players we have helped fuel a debate that reaches beyond the boundaries of the GAA, to all sports, and, in my opinion, deep into the way women are viewed in Irish society.”
Balding then took to the stage with Rob Hartnett of Sport for Business for a wide ranging discussion around her own motivation for putting Women’s sport front and centre stage.
She explained her rationale behind choosing to present the first ever Women’s Boat Race to take place alongside the Men’s event instead of the Grand National at Aintree and how that had been an incredibly difficult but ultimately right decision.
Balding was announced this week as taking over the evening highlights presenters role on BBC Television from this years Wimbledon Championships.
Her chat show on BT Sport and BBC2 is setting new standards in sports discussion and this week features a memorable interview with Paul Gascoigne.
She spoke of how she was invited down to Southampton Football Club in England along with family and was invited to become an ambassador for the club.
“I said no because they did not have a Women’s team and no structure for encouraging young girls to come through in the sport as they have at Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City. Now they are developing one. That is the simple power we can exert through pointing out when there are failings and asking for things we believe to be right.”
Balding was then joined on stage by Sonia O’Sullivan, Group Head of RTÉ Sport Ryle Nugent and Robin McGhee from Millward Brown who conducted the research.
There was a rigorous debate about media coverage with Nugent highlighting the coverage which RTÉ delivers across a range of sports and in promoting talented women journalists to take on leading roles across all sports.
Jacqui Hurley and Evanne Ní Chuilleann were in the audience alongside Fiona Coghlan and Niamh Briggs, both of whose times leading Ireland to RBS 6 Nations Championship glory over the past three years were broadcast live on RTE Television.
“It’s a step in the right direction but we know that we need to continue on that journey,” said Nugent.
Balding suggested that while Women’s sport was stepping up in terms of quality and attractiveness of its key events that flexibility might be needed in terms of scheduling so that broadcasters can make it fit.
She also highlighted the power of social media as a force alongside mainstream and how that was changing attitudes as well.
Sonia O’Sullivan brought her Australian experience to bear highlighting how Women’s sport in the AFL was only beginning to get to the status and position that Camogie and Ladies Football have in Ireland.
One key area in terms of attracting media was identified as attracting a crowd and a key part of yesterday was to announce a new social media campaign put together by Liberty to promote taking daughters, nieces, granddaughters and cousins to watch a top women’s sport event.
Balding launched the campaign live on stage by sending this tweet to her more than 500,000 followers and the hashtag was trending in Ireland throughout the day.
Really good campaign launched in Ireland today to help promote women’s sport & get girls along to watch women’s team sport #supporthersport
— Clare Balding (@clarebalding) June 11, 2015
Many in the audience and those following beyond Croke Park joined in and the campaign will officially go live for Fathers Day next week with the broadcast of a special video talking about the importance of parents in promoting sport to children.
Join us throughout next week as we look in detail at the Wise Up research study, the behavioural attitudes it identifies and the opportunities it presents
We wil leave the final word to Balding on a day when she was hailed as ‘inspiring’, ‘engaging’, ‘so passionate’ and ‘the most charismatic woman I have ever met’.
“You are fortunate in Ireland to have role models of such quality and personality as Katie Taylor, Sonia O’Sullivan, Niamh Briggs and Stephanie Roche.”
“They represent you on a world stage.”
“Closer to home I am always blown away by the courage and strength of your Camogie stars like Anna Geary also here with us today.”
“You need to celebrate their achievements, to inspire your daughters and nieces, sisters and mothers to not only watch but also seek to emulate them.”
“Everything is possible once the will is there. You have it within yourselves to make the difference, starting today.”
