Women in Sport Leadership Course

The aim of the IWA-Sport Women In Sport Leadership Programme is to provide training, guidance, and expertise to support our female members to thrive in leadership positions in sport. It will give our female members across the island the opportunity to learn additional skills, increase their confidence and build networks across all sports. 

This course will be rolled out in partnership with Basketball Ireland. IWA-Sport and Basketball Ireland have a great working partnership and we look forward to collaborating on this project.

Designed to be an enjoyable experience for participants to learn in a relaxed supportive environment and build a network into the future. It is a practical interactive course delivered over zoom and in person with participants expected to fully engage during the sessions and in various breakout groups as part of their learning experience.

The Women in Sport Leadership Course was developed and is presented by experienced consultants Lisa Clancy and Sarah O’Shea, who have themselves worked at the highest levels in Irish sport. They also hold volunteer board positions as Vice President of Paralympics Ireland and Honorary General Secretary Olympic Federation Ireland respectively bringing their extensive sporting leadership experience to the programme. 

This leadership programme has already proved to be hugely successful elsewhere with over 230 female participants spanning over 52 sporting bodies creating a strong network of female leaders. Participants have included club members, athletes, coaches, volunteers, board members and support personnel from a variety of backgrounds and all ages, within clubs and National Governing Bodies. IWA-Sport are delighted to be in a position to offer this course to 8 females involved in various roles within IWA-Sport.

“The Women in Sport Leadership Course is a great course for any aspiring leader or anyone within a leadership role regardless of what level role they hold. The course was instrumental in helping me build confidence and an appreciation of my abilities. I really enjoyed getting to know other fabulous female leaders who all shared the same concerns as me. The course providers were really generous with their time working to encourage us all to help us determine and realise our goals.”

Eimear Breathnach, President of Paralympics Ireland.

How to Apply

Applications can be made through the following online form. Deadline for applications to be submitted will be Monday 6th January 2025 at 5pm. Please book quickly to avoid disappointment. 

Topics on the course will include:

• Leadership
• Values
• Networking and Collaboration
• Challenging Situations and Resilience
• Conflict
• Crisis Management
• Communications and Developing Your Personal Brand
• Influence and Change
• Research and Governance.

Delivery Method

IWA-Sport’s Women In Sport Leadership Programme will be delivered online via zoom over five Tuesday evenings weekly commencing January 28th – March 4th 2025 from 19.00 – 20.30 and a final session in person in Dublin on Saturday 8th March 2025. Venue IWA HQ board room, Clontarf.

**Participants must commit to attending all sessions to participate in the programme**