There could hardly be a better time for the Government spotlight to fall on equality in sport with a host of performances from Irish women in recent days that highlight the progress that has already been made and which can be leveraged through greater recognition.
Yesterday in Doha Orla Barry and Deirdre Mongan added bronze medals to the silver won by 15 year old Noelle Lenihan at the IPC World Paralympic Athletics Championships.
They were followed later by a come from behind win for the Irish Senior Women’s soccer team beating Portugal 2-1 away from home in the qualification stage for the Euro 2017 Championships.
These wins come off the back of Basketball Ireland confirming that a Senior Ireland Women’s team will be reinstated this year for the first time since 2009. They will participate in the FIBA European Championship for Small Nations taking place in July of 2016.
Due to financial constraints the team will need to be self-funding through sponsorship and fundraising but anything is possible once the will is there and the leadership is given to enable people compete at the highest possible level.
“It’s clear there was a massive demand to give our best senior players the opportunity to represent their country again,” said Women’s National League Commissioner Matthew Hall.
“The invitation to compete in Division C in Europe is an ideal pathway back to where we want to be. This time, we’ll have to use the self-funded model to get there but with the right support, our players can dream again of playing basketball for Ireland.”
Sport for Business is planning a short seminar as part of it’s Members Round Table programme on the subject of Sponsorship in Women’s Sport. Contact us today if you would like to be part of this invitation only event.
Image credit: Sportsfile / Paralympics Ireland
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