The overall percentage of women on boards in the sports sector in Ireland now stands at 45%, a three per cent increase on the previous snapshot which marked the first time there was female representation on every board.

The Irish Rugby Football Union (33% to 41%), the Football Association of Ireland (36% to 43%) and the Gaelic Athletic Association (16% to 43%) have all surpassed 40% representation of females on their boards for the first time.

Sport Ireland has published this latest snapshot of female representation on the boards of funded National Governing Bodies of Sport, Local Sports Partnerships, and other sporting funded bodies.

The last snapshot, published in December 2023, showed an overall percentage increase to 42%. The snapshot is published as part of the Leadership & Governance pillar of the Sport Ireland Women in Sport Policy and outlines the current position and significant progress made since the policy was first published in 2019. That year females made up an average of just 24% of boards of National Governing Bodies.

As outlined in the Sports Action Plan published by the Government, National Governing Bodies (NGBs), Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs) and other funded bodies had until the end of 2023 to reach the Government’s target of a minimum 40% female representation in the membership of their boards.

Overall female representation on the boards of NGBs and other sporting funded bodies has increased to 44% and for LSPs is up to 45%. This represents a 3% and 2% increase on the previous snapshot.

There are now 61 NGBs and other sporting bodies which have achieved the Government target, with only 10 organisations yet to do so.  Of them, most are within one appointment of reaching the number and will doubtless be pressured to make that happen this year.

Every major sport and every member of Sport for Business within the sector is now compliant.

25 LSPs have also reached the target, with only four still short of it, again only by a single appointment.

“All boardrooms should be representative of our society and reflect modern Ireland, through proportionate female membership,” said Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin, TD welcoming the progress reflected in the snapshot.

“In the past few months, NGBs and LSPs have been working hard as they look to increase the number of women on their boards. For example, Pitch and Putt Ireland (11% to 40%), the Irish Judo Association (13% to 50%), the Irish Athletic Boxing Association (13% to 46%), Olympic Handball Ireland (20% to 43%) and Donegal Sports Partnership (29% to 40%) have all made significant progress, which highlights their commitment to advancing women and girls in their sports.”

“I welcome the continued progress that is being made with respect to female representation on sporting boards,” added Minister of State for Sport, Physical Education and the Gaeltacht, Thomas Byrne.

“This positive trajectory in sports leadership will enhance and strengthen our sporting community. I want to reiterate that sporting organisations which have yet to meet the 40% target will only be permitted to draw down 50% of their funding allocation until such a time, as they reach the 40% target.”

“There are now 86 of 100 funded National Governing Bodies of Sport, Local Sports Partnerships and other sporting funded bodies in Ireland who have met the target for gender representation on their boards,” said Sport Ireland CEO Dr Una May.

“Since the release of the first snapshot in 2020, we have seen a continuous trend towards more gender-equal boards across sport in Ireland. This is crucial, as the decision-making processes in governing bodies should reflect the communities they serve. We would like to acknowledge the effort that has gone in to deliver this, and we will work closely with the sector at all levels to continue and maintain this progress.”

“As well as acknowledging the board composition, Sport Ireland is also monitoring the proportion of women in leadership positions,” added Sport Ireland Director of Strategic National Governing Body Programmes and Women in Sport Lead, Nora Stapleton.

“It should be noted that a number of sporting organisations have made administrative arrangements, and constitutional and structural changes to allow them to meet the 40% target. The Sport Ireland Women in Sport Funding Programme can help NGBs, LSPs and other funded bodies on their journey of improving, and or maintaining, gender diversity on their board.”

 

Sport for Business Perspective:

It took the stick of a threat to funding to get this over the line but now that parity has been achieved it is done and there can be no sliding back.  The reality is that every organisation will recognise the value of a more diverse leadership group in so many ways.  We are still a long way from genuine equality but this has been an important step in the right direction.

 

 

Sport Ireland are full members of the Sport for Business community.

The Sport for Business Membership comprises nearly 300 organisations including all the leading sports and sponsors, commercial and state agencies. 

Be part of the biggest community of sporting and business organisations in Ireland by becoming a member of Sport for Business and enjoying a host of benefits.

Find out more about joining us today.

 

Get ready to join us for some of these forthcoming events…