All photographs Nathan Cafolla
Ireland is proud to announce the launch of our Women in Sport Strategic Plan 2021-2024, during the week of the 6th of January coinciding with Nollaig na mBann.
This plan is designed to both expresses our commitment to women in sport and our vision of inspiring the nation to be active, healthy and to perform through athletics.
Athletics Ireland is continuing to advocate, contribute and support greater female representation at all levels of our sport. This strategic plan has been in development under Athletics Ireland Women in Sport Officer, Lilly-Ann O’Hora in conjunction with an extensive consultation process to finalise the plan.
Athletics Ireland will ensure that our actions, programmes, and initiatives are member-centred, with a commitment to promoting female athletic endeavours. This plan puts women at the heart of the organisations strategic direction whist continuing the growth of female representation across our membership, participants, partnerships, and supporters.
It is an extensive plan that supplies a road map for the hard work ahead to achieve the stretch of objectives and future opportunities identified for Women in Sport.
“While athletics has a long history of promoting gender equality and empowering women and girls, it is a sign of leadership that an organisation can recognise the areas where improvements can still occur. Sport Ireland welcomes and congratulates Athletics Ireland on the development and launch of its Women in Sport Strategic Plan, and we look forward to supporting the ongoing strides the organisation makes in its commitment to women in sport.”
– Nora Stapleton, Women in Sport Lead, Sport Ireland.
“The contribution of women to athletics as athletes, coaches, officials and administrators has been immense. Athletics Ireland is committed to providing equal opportunities to women to achieve their potential and enjoy all the benefits of our sport. Our Women in Sport Strategic Plan will ensure that we have a structured development of participation and leadership opportunities and ensure that more women are involved in all sectors of our sport.”
– Brid Golden, Deputy President of Athletics Ireland & Chair of the Coaching & Development Committee.
“From being an athletics administrator, official and parent of athletes, female role models in our sport are vital to inspire more women to get involved, with a strategic plan we can connect, communicate, empower, encourage and support women and provide them with more opportunities to increase their visibility.”
– Aisling Hoey, Munster Schools Athletics Secretary, Munster Athletics Juvenile PRO, County Tipperary Registrar & IT Manager.
“As CEO I’ve had the privilege of seeing first-hand the impacts Women have had across all levels of our sport, particularly in key decision-making roles. This strategic plan provides a road map for our organisation to attract, retain and support our female members to develop within athletics across the many roles available. This is an exciting time for our sport.”
– Hamish Adams, CEO of Athletics Ireland.