The percentage of Women in Board positions at Irish National Governing Bodies of Sport has risen to 36 percent in figures up to last month published by Sport Ireland today. The figure for Local Sports Partnerships is better again at 39 percent.
These figures have risen from 29 percent and 37 percent respectively in 2020, and from only 24 percent when the figure was first published formally by Sport Ireland in 2019.
The significant step towards the target set for the end of 2023 of 40 percent is a direct result of the added emphasis placed on that number and the setting of a target with potential financial penalties in terms of state funding for those who fall short.
The snapshot is published as part of the Leadership and Governance pillar of the Sport Ireland Women in Sport Policy and outlines the current position and progress made since the publication of the Policy.
A key objective of the Leadership and Governance target area is to progress towards greater gender balance in board membership of funded bodies. The second objective is to provide a pathway for women aspiring to become leaders of funded bodies.
33 of the 66 National Governing Bodies have achieved the 40 percent target of female representation on Boards, though this includes six where the balance has tipped the other way and where a rebalancing will be required to introduce more male Board members.
The Gold star for full balance then goes to: American Football Ireland, Badminton Ireland, Basketball Ireland, Canoeing Ireland, Cycling Ireland, Diving Ireland, Federation of Irish Sport, Fencing Ireland, Golf Ireland, Gymnastics IrelandHockey Ireland, Horse Sport Ireland, Irish Squash, Irish Surfing, Irish Tenpin Bowling, Irish Waterski and Wakeboard, The Ladies Gaelic Football Association, Mountaineering Ireland, Raquetball Association, Special olympics Ireland, Speleological Union, Student Sport Ireland, Swim Ireland, Table Tennis Ireland, Irish Taekwondo Union, Olympic Federation of Ireland, Paralympics Ireland and Sport Ireland.
The six that need to rebalance with additional male Board members are Baton Twirling, Irish Wheelchair Association, National Community Games, The Camogie Association, and Volleyball Ireland.
10 Bodies are getting close with gender balance of between 30 and 40 per cent. They are Angling Council of Ireland, Athletics Ireland, Croquet Association, Deaf Sports Ireland, Irish Martial Arts Association, Irish Sailing, Rowing Ireland, Triathlon Ireland, Vision Sports Ireland and Weightlifting Ireland.
Archery Ireland, Cricket Ireland, the Gaelic Athletic Association, Irish Ice Hockey, Irish Judo, Motor Cycling Ireland, Motor Sport Ireland, Olympic Handball Ireland, Rugby League Ireland, and Tennis Ireland are the ten that have between 20 and 29 per cent balance.
The Bowling League of Ireland, FAI, GAA Handball, Irish Amateur Wrestling, Irish Amateur Boxing, Irish Clay Target Shooting, IRFU, Onaakio, Orineteering, Pitch and Putt, and Tug of War have yet to hit 20 per cent but the FAI will rise to 25 per cent with the election of Niamh O’Mahony from the resumed AGM.
Snooker and Billiards Ireland has a Board of 12 and not a single woman among them.
“The continued growth in female representation on boards is very encouraging,” said Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin.
“I am delighted to see that the average number of females on NGB Boards has increased again over the past year from 32% to 36%. Sporting bodies are clearly prioritising gender diversity on their boards, and I want to acknowledge the significant efforts they are making.”
“There is a final push needed over the next 12 months to achieve the target of 40% gender representation on their boards by the end of 2023 as outlined in Action Plan for Sport 2021-2023.”
Action 32 of the Government’s National Sports Policy 2018-2027 tasks National Governing Bodies with developing equality action plans and setting gender diversity targets.
“Sport Ireland monitor and report on gender diversity in our funded bodies and we are working closely with organisations to provide resources and support to help them attain the target of 40% gender representation on their boards. If the current trajectory is maintained that target will be achieved next year,” added Sport Ireland CEO Dr Una May.
As well as acknowledging the board composition of funded bodies, Sport Ireland is also monitoring the proportion of women in leadership positions within funded bodies.
At present, female CEOs represent 30 per cent of the total CEOs in NGBs (including the Federation of Irish Sport, Olympic Federation and Paralympics Ireland). This is up from 28 percent since last year.
Twelve NGBs have a female President (an increase of two on 2021 snapshot) while 15 per cent of Boards have a female Chairperson.
Females also account for 50% of Coordinator roles in the Local Sports Partnerships, however females in Chairperson roles have dropped from 21% to 14% over the last year.
“In analysing the information for this year’s snapshot, we have seen a number of sporting organisations make positive progress to achieve or exceed the Government target of 40% gender balance on Boards.,” added Sport Ireland Women in Sport Lead Nora Stapleton.
“For example, Cycling Ireland have progressed from 13% in 2021 to 50% in this year’s snapshot, while Irish Tenpin Bowling have moved from having no women on their board in 2021 to 50% females in 2022. T
hrough the Sport Ireland Women in Sport Funding Programme, we will continue to encourage NGBs and other sporting bodies to utilise the funding to provide dedicated women in sport leadership training and develop initiatives and resources for their volunteers and board members.”
