Sport Ireland will this morning sign the International Working Group on Women and Sport’s Brighton plus Helsinki declaration.
This is another significant marker of Irish sport’s commitment to equity for women and girls in sport and physical activity.
The signing takes place during Women in Sport Week, which runs until Sunday, and this year celebrates its fifth anniversary.
“At Sport Ireland we’re committed to supporting women and girls’ participation in sport,” said CEO Dre Una May
“There’s no more fitting time to sign the declaration than during Women in Sport Week, which highlights our focus on encouraging the participation of women and girls.”
The Brighton plus Helsinki declaration is an international treaty developed by the International Working Group (IWG) on Women and Sport. It has become a road map to support the development of a more fair and equitable system of sport and physical activity, fully inclusive of women and girls.
“We are looking forward to working with Sport Ireland to further highlight their push towards gender equality,” said IWG secretary general Lisa O’Keefe MBE.
“We are keen to share their excellent approach and learnings with the IWG network over the coming months as we build towards the IWG Global Summit in July 2026.”
More than 600 organisations around the globe have already signed the declaration, including the Department of Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport.
“This is an important reaffirmation of our focus on encouraging the participation of women and girls in sport,” said Sport Ireland Chair John Foley.
“We’re all about supporting women and girls’ participation in every way possible, and we’re proud to take our place among the signatories of the declaration.”
“I’m delighted that Sport Ireland is signing the Brighton plus Helsinki declaration,” said Nora Stapleton, Director of Strategic National Governing Body Programmes and Women in Sport Lead with Sport Ireland.
“It’s especially apt that it took place during Women in Sport Week.”
“Women in Sport Week provides an opportunity for ourselves, the Local Sports Partnerships, National Governing Bodies and other organisations to highlight women and girls in sport, from coaches to officials, volunteers and participants.”
Further Reading for Sport for Business members: Women in Sport Week – Key Activities Across Seven Days
SPORT FOR BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE
The ten principles of the agreement are based around
- Equity and Equality in Society and Sport
- Facilities
- School and Youth Sport
- Developing Participation
- High Performance Sport
- Leadership in Sport
- Education, Training and Development
- Sport Information and Research
- Resources
- Domestic and International Cooperation
Who could argue with them? But more importantly who will take the steps needed to make them happen as opposed to just aspire towards making them happen?
WHAT’S UP NEXT?
The signing will take place at the Sport Ireland Campus during an event to mark the occasion and to celebrate Women in Sport Week.
MEMBERSHIP AND EVENTS
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The Sport for Business Membership comprises over 300 organisations, including all the leading sports and sponsors, as well as commercial and state agencies.
