Timed to perfection as we hosted our Women in Sport Annual conference yesterday Sport Ireland has published details of how government funding of €2.7 million under the Women in Sport Programme has been allocated for 2023.
Over the course of the previous funding cycle across 2021 and 2022, the Sport Ireland Women in Sport Investment Programme helped to fund approximately 150 projects and initiatives.
These projects supported Sport Ireland’s vision for women in sport as one where women have an equal opportunity to achieve their full potential, while enjoying a lifelong involvement in sport.
For 2023, many of these same projects secured Sport Ireland investment under the Women in Sport programme to ensure their sustainability and impact but new and exciting initiatives are also due to be established.
Among the big three sports €560,000 went to the FAI as part of the Women in Sport Funding as well as an additional €500,000 towards the participation in the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The IRFU received €300,000 and the three Gaelic Games Associations €200,000 towards individual and collaborative projects.
Swim ireland received €90 towards five projects an education course and a ‘Swimmin’ Women programme.
Athletics Ireland got €80,000 and Basketball Ireland €75,000 for projects including #BeTheChange and a female student coaching academy.
Gymnastics Ireland and Hockey Ireland also got €75,000 while sums between €50,000 and €70,000 go to Golf ireland, Rowing ireland, Triathlon Ireland, Tennis Ireland, Canoeing ireland, Cricket Ireland, Cycling Ireland, Badminton Ireland, the IABA and IWA Sport. 25 other bodies get €10,000 or more including Sport for Business members Mountaineering ireland, irish Sailing, Volleyball ireland, the federation of Irish Sport, Irisah Squash, Special Olympics Ireland, and Vision Sport Ireland.
€50,000 went to Sport Ireland’s Her Outdoors Week as well.
Funding will be ring-fenced under Women in Sport for strategically important internal and NGB related events and projects under the ‘Special Projects’ funding. This may also be used to support organisations who did not apply for funding support in the current round.
“Addressing the participation gap in sport and physical activity for women and girls is a priority of the National Sports Policy 2018-2027,” said Minister for tourism, Culture, Arts Gaeltacht, Sport and Media Catherine Martin.
“In recent years we have seen some improvements in this area. In conjunction with the Government and Sport Ireland, I am committed to continuing this work with the aim of eliminating the participation gap by 2027.”
“The funding allocated to sporting organisations this year and the increased funding announced for 2024 will ensure the promotion of greater female involvement in sport and physical activity at all levels, from the pitch to the boardroom.”
“Significant government funding is being invested in innovative and progressive programmes that create sustainable opportunities to enhance the participation of women and girls in sport,” added Minister of State for Sport and Physical Education, Thomas Byrne.
“It is very welcome to see initiatives aimed at increasing women’s sustained involvement in sport as coaches, officials, volunteers, club members, advocates, leaders and participants, from the grassroots to the podium. I am committed to ensuring that opportunities are in place for female participation in sport at all levels. The funding allocated this year along with the increased funding announced in the Budget for 2024 will allow sporting organisations to continue delivering those opportunities.”
“The funding will not only see a diverse range of sports available to the female Irish public but an increase in the visibility of females be that as role models, on boards, field of play or in the media,” said Sport Ireland CEO Dr Una May.
“I would like to acknowledge the continued support of the Ministers and staff in the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. There is a lot more planned for 2024 and beyond and we will continue to work closely with the sector to achieve the objectives of the Women in Sport Policy.”
“The Women in Sport funding will give the NGBs support and certainty to proceed with their programmes to address the target areas of the Women in Sport policy,” added Nora Stapleton Director of Strategic National Governing Body Programmes & Women in Sport Lead, pictured above at yesterday’s event.
“I look forward to continuing to work with NGBs to continue the momentum that exists and ensure Sport Ireland’s vision for women in sport is one where women have an equal opportunity to achieve their full potential, while enjoying a lifelong involvement in sport”
