We are delighted to confirm that Nadia Shahrastani, the Business Operations Director of Chelsea Women FC will be joining David Davies, Chief Experience Officer of Catapult, the Irish events specialists who will play a key role in Friday’s FIFA World Cup 2026 Draw in Washington DC as keynote speakers for our annual Women in Sport Conference taking place at Tallaght Stadium on Tuesday, December 9th, 2025.
It promises to be a great gathering of women and men who have played a part in the journey towards equality, and we will examine several key areas that still need to be addressed.
Michelle Tanner, Chair of the Women in Sport Committee of Sport Ireland and Joanna Byrne, Chair of Drogheda United and Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Sport, will also be among the speakers, alongside a host of powerful advocates for Women in Sport.
The lineup of great speakers is available below and is updated daily.
This is always one of our most popular events of the year, and we are delighted to be staging it once more with our Partners Lidl, who themselves have been a key contributor to enhanced visibility of the best of Women’s sport.
We are also pleased to be staging this year’s conference at Tallaght Stadium, the spiritual home of the Republic of Ireland Women’s National Team.
Secure your spot by booking at the link below. There are now only a limited number of spaces remaining.
Sport for Business Women in Sport Conference 2025
Venue: Tallaght Stadium
09:30: Arrival, Light Breakfast and Networking
10:00: Move into the Auditorium
10:05: Welcome and Opening Comments from Rob Hartnett of Sport for Business and Eimear O’Sullivan from Lidl
10:15: Fireside Chat with Michelle Tanner, Chair of the Sport Ireland Women in Sport Committee and Head of Sport at Trinity College Dublin
10:40: Women of Influence Newcomers Panel with three exciting speakers from the 2025 list
11:05: Building Momentum in Female Coaching Panel, including Lynne Cantwell of Irish Rugby, and Laura Heffernan, Head Coach at DLR Waves in the SSE Airtricity League of Ireland Women’s Premier Division
11:30: Women in Sport Sponsorship Showcase
11:35 Networking and Comfort Break
12:00: Young Athletes Making a Mark with Laura O’Connell and Linda Djougang.
12:20: Advances in Fandom in Women’s Sport around the World with David Davies, Chief Experience Officer at Catapult and Nadia Shahrestani, Business Operations Director at Chelsea FC Women
12:55: Fireside Chat with Joanna Byrne, Chair of Drogheda United and Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Sport
13:20: Close followed by Networking and Light Lunch
Image Credit: Sport for Business
Further Reading for Sport for Business members:
Read our Sport for Business Coverage of Media
SPORT FOR BUSINESS Upcoming Events
December 9th – Our 12th Annual Women in Sport Conference in partnership with Lidl.
January 2026 – The Sporting Year Ahead 2026 in partnership with Teneo – Launching Soon
Sport for Business Podcasts
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