The advance of respect for Women in Sport has accelerated in recent years and is already in a better place than many might have imagined. But it has still got a long way to go to achieve the parity of esteem we have been pushing the agenda on for a decade. We have been far from alone but progress is all about today and tomorrow and we cannot ease up.
Change generally comes in smaller rather than larger gestures. In the everyday improvements that add up over time to make a real difference.
It’s the 24/7 spotlight that matters and to keep that on, Sport for Business, with the support of our Women in Sport Partner Lidl will, each Friday for the next 24 weeks, highlight seven things in the week gone by that have been important to note in the world of Women in Sport.
Week Ending December 1st, 2022
One: PROFESSIONAL OPTION FOR WOMEN’S FOOTBALL
The FAI and the League of Ireland have confirmed the introduction of professional contracts to players in the SSE Airtricity Women’s National League from the start of the new registration period today.
From this date, professional players in the SSE Airtricity Women’s National League will be subject to the same Standard Player Contract and minimum wage regulations as men’s players in the League of Ireland.
Clubs competing in the SSE Airtricity Women’s National League will be under no obligation to offer professional contracts to players and, similar to the Men’s game, Clubs will have the option to have full-time or part-time professional players or amateur players depending on the circumstances of each club.
It will not transform every club or offer a professional pathway for every player but it is a significant step forward in terms of equality and well-timed ahead of a surge in interest in the Women’s game hastened by the national team qualification for next summer’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
A new Working Group is also being established to monitor the implementation and effects of the introduction of professional contracts to the League.
Two: EQUAL NUMBERS, EQUAL FEES FOR WORLD RUGBY SEVENS
World Rugby has outlined a new framework for the future of the Sevens World Series, which will see both Men’s and Women’s series limited to twelve teams and Grand Finales in both for the Top eight, and equal fees being paid to both.
The remodelled Sevens World Series will include seven festival-style events, in seven iconic global destinations, across seven months, and is set to kick off in December 2023.
All seven rounds will feature combined men’s and women’s events, ensuring that women players have equal opportunities to showcase their talents on the biggest stages around the world.
Men’s and women’s teams will also receive equal participation fees, with a 70 per cent uplift in World Rugby’s investment in participation fees in the new model.
Three: FRAPPORT STANDING ON THE SHOULDERS OF THOSE WHO WENT BEFORE
To mark Stephanie Frapport’s becoming the first woman to take charge of a World Cup Finals match in Qatar, Brazilian brand Intimus produced a short video telling the story of Lea Campos, the first woman to break down the barriers of gender in her native country, albeit beyond its borders first. It’s a story that reflects the fact that many of those who become pioneers do so on the shoulders of those that have gone before.
Four: $100 MILLION PLUS ON LPGA TOUR
The LPGA Tour has announced that in 2023 the total prize money across 33 events will be more than $101 million.
That is a number that could only have been imagined a few short years ago.
Five: DHL EXTENDS TO WOMEN’S TEAM
The FAI has signed a new agreement with DHL Express Ireland that will extend DHL’s role as Official Logistics Partner to the FAI for a further three years.
Additionally, the extended contract will see DHL become a named sponsor of the Ireland Women’s National Team for the first time.
Six: FEMALE COACHING CONFERENCE FOR MALAHIDE THIS WEEKEND
The conference invites female coaches, and male coaches of female athletes/teams, from teenage to adult level for a day of presentations, panel discussions and breakout sessions on a wide range of topics.
There are a number of high-quality guest speakers joining us on the day, with the event being MC’d by David Gillick. Keynote speakers include Vera Pauw, Gail Donohue, Jo Hopkins, Sarah Kelleher and Sharon Madigan. Panel discussions on the day also include Ireland Women’s XV’s Head Coach, Greg McWilliams, Director of Performance with Paralympics Ireland and High Performance Coach, David Malone, Irish U19s Women’s Football, Wexford Youths and Wexford LGFA manager, Lizzy Kent, Para-sprinter Orla Comerford and High Performance medal winning boxer, Lisa O’Rourke.
Seven: LIDL NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES UNVEILED FOR 2023
Last year’s winners Meath will begin the defence of their Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 1 crown with a glamour clash against Leinster rivals Dublin on the opening weekend of the 2023 campaign.
Division 1 of the competition also contains Cork, 2022 runners-up Donegal, Galway, Mayo, Waterford, and newly-promoted Kerry.
Also on the opening weekend of January 22nd and 23rd, Galway will host Donegal, Cork make the trip to Mayo, and Waterford will entertain Kerry, the 2022 Lidl National League Division 2 champions and TG4 All-Ireland Finalists.
Round 2 will see Donegal host Meath, who are also the reigning TG4 All-Ireland Senior champions, in a repeat of the 2022 Lidl National League Division 1 Final, while the sides also met in this year’s TG4 All-Ireland Senior Championship semi-final.
Galway entertain Dublin, Waterford are at home to Cork and Kerry will travel to Mayo in Round 2 for a repeat of the 2022 TG4 All-Ireland Senior semi-final between the counties.
