For today’s #MondayMotivation let’s highlight a project from Ireland, showing Hockey Ireland’s commitment to Women and leadership in Sport. This project fits perfectly in the Equally Amazing Gender Balance Charter that Hockey Ireland (and all EHF Member Associations) signed up to the recent EHF General Assembly.
Sport Ireland today announced the recipients of Women in Sport funding for 2019/2020. Hockey Ireland advised us that they are delighted to receive support of €150,000 towards our new Leaders in Hockey programme.
Sport Ireland’s commitment to increasing women’s sustained involvement in sport saw the Women in Sport Policy launched earlier this year. This policy has highlighted the following key areas where current gaps and future opportunities for women in sport exist:
- Coaching & Officiating,
- Active Participation,
- Leadership, and
- Governance and Visibility.
Sport Ireland re-launched the Women in Sport funding programme for National Governing Bodies and Local Sports Partnerships this year to activate their Women in Sport Policy. Recognising the significant role National Governing Bodies play in enhancing the landscape for women in sport in Ireland, and “that effective and sustainable programmes require a long-term approach”, the funding is granted over a two-year period.
Speaking on the announcement, Sue Haslam, Hockey Ireland National Development Manager, said “We are very grateful for the continued support from Sport Ireland. This funding will enable us to grow our leadership base while also engaging with and helping to facilitate women to reach their full potential as leaders.
“Hockey Ireland is delighted to receive this support in order to develop our Leaders in Hockey programme.”
The multifaceted programme aims to enable, encourage and empower females to become leaders while focusing on 3 areas of leadership within our sport; Coaching, Umpiring, and Administration. Sport Ireland’s support through the Women in Sport funding is invaluable for assembling and delivering this programme.
The various elements of the Leaders in Hockey programme will be launched in the coming weeks and will impact leadership at a club level, as well as at a higher level through mentoring programmes. The ambitious plan will create a supportive leadership pathway for our coaches, umpires and volunteers, that will create new role models for the next generation of leaders.
EHF Development and Education Manager said “I’m looking forward to working closely with Hockey Ireland to ensure that this funding is directed towards sustainable programmes. We plan to discuss the successful EHF’s Leadership forum and how that has empowered a number of women around Europe to find their voices and step up into leadership roles. It’s a very exciting time and fits perfectly into the #EquallyAmazing Gender Balance Charter and the SWINg project that are our focus areas.”