We have now completed the twelfth edition of the Sport for Business listing of 50 Women of Influence in Irish Sport in partnership once more with our friends at AIG.
We began this journey in 2013 when challenged that we would never be able to produce a list of twenty Influential Women in Irish Sport. The 20 stretched to 30, then 40 and 50, and it still does not do justice to the talent out there.
Over the years we have listed over 200 Women and in recent years we are accelerating by setting a target of including at least 40 percent of new names each year.
This means that some will not be on the list for this year but that is no reflection of their having less influence in any way.
Our mission is to expand the recognition while at the same time keeping it meaningful. We will be back with the 2025 list in October but nominations will remain open throughout.
Again over 200 outstanding women were nominated for this year’s list, every one of which is a leader in their own right
The gender gap in terms of participation is targeted to be non-existent by 2027, and the profile of our elite athletes is as high for Rhasidat Adeleke, RoisÃn NiRÃaian, katie George Dunlevy, Leona Maguire, Rachael Blackmore, Kellie Harrington, Katie Taylor, and Katie McCabe as it is for the best of our men.
Look at our Olympians and Paralympians from the summer. Across the two Games, we won 13 medals, five by Men or Men’s pairings and eight by Women. And beyond the medals, Rhasidat Adeleke and Ellen Keane, Sharlene Mawdsley, Sophie Becker, Phil Healy, Ciara Mageean were among the stars who won the hearts of the public without getting to stand on the podium.
We are nearing the point where sport is sport regardless of gender.
The gap remains too big in media, sponsorship, attendance, and funding, but it is only by highlighting the wrongs that we can make them right.
This year’s list included 30 who could be described as from leadership or administration positions within sports, 12 from Sponsorship, and the balance from Agencies, Coaching, Backroom Teams, Politics, and Media.
21 of those in the 2024 list are new representing 42 per cent of the total.
All those listed are part of making the role of women in sport unexceptional by being exceptional in what they do.
Recognition of their contribution is rarely asked for but is entirely deserved.
Here is the full list the 50 Women of Influence in Irish Sport for 2024.
So, who do you think should be on the list for 2025?
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