THE Ladies Gaelic Football Association has announced the list of 24 participants in its fourth ‘Learn to Lead’ Female Leadership programme.
‘Learn to Lead’ – a unique programme launched in 2019 – was devised to develop the next generation of female leaders within Ladies Gaelic Football.
20 graduates from the inaugural programme were honoured in February 2020, followed by the celebration of 2021/2022 graduates in May 2022, before 2022/2023 participants were saluted in February 2024.
The 2025/2026 course will be delivered once again by experts in the fields of leadership, coaching, officiating, administration and PR/Media.
There was a huge response to the LGFA’s call for applicants, with a long-list whittled down to 24 – six in each strand.
Over the course of four days and six evenings, diverse leadership skills will be examined, with the focus firmly on developing the skill sets and techniques required to master each of the four strands.
The final list of 24 participants includes leading coaches, officials, administrators and players, representing the four provinces. Among them in the PR and Media strand is former Irish International Footballer and TV analyst Méabh De Burca, representing Salthill Knocknacarra who has been a guest on the Sport for Business Podcast
The LGFA’s Strategic Plan (2024-2029) is driving focus in a number of areas, including supporting and growing volunteers, and leading innovation.
The Association’s ‘Learn to Lead’ programme plays a key role in this, and came into being as a result of a key area in the LGFA’s Strategic Roadmap 2017-2022, to ‘define a model to promote Female Leadership across the Association.’
SPORT FOR BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE
Building a strong foundation for leadership does not happen by chance and this is an initiative that will produce leaders at national level in the years to come.
WHAT’S UP NEXT?
The course is always oversubscribed but perhaps there will be provincial councils that will seek to expand the number that can benefit.
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The LGFA are among the 300+ organisations that make up the membership of the Sport for Business community.Our Coveraged of Ladies Football is supported by Lidl Ireland.
The Sport for Business Membership comprises nearly 300 organisations, including all the leading sports and sponsors, as well as commercial and state agencies.
