A target of 40% female representation on the boards of funded national sporting bodies by the end of the 2023 has been called for on the back of evidence of further progress towards gender balance.
Sport Ireland has published the latest snapshot of female representations, which has risen to 32% in National Governing Bodies (NGBs), including Sport Ireland, the Federation of Irish Sport, Olympic Federation of Ireland and Paralympics Ireland, and remained at 37% in Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs) in 2021.
As well as progressing greater gender balance in board membership of funded bodies, it is also hoped the Sport Ireland Women in Sport Policy will provide a pathway for women aspiring to become leaders of funded bodies.
At present, female CEOs represent 28% of the total CEOs in funded national sporting bodies. Ten NGBs have a female president while 15% of boards have a female chairperson.
Sport Ireland Women in Sport Lead, Nora Stapleton, praised the NBGs and LSPs that are delivering excellent Women in Sport Leadership programmes.
"This latest snapshot shows that progress continues to be made in addressing gender balance on the boards of National Governing Bodies and Local Sports Partnerships," she said.
Minister of State for Sport and Gaeltacht Affairs Jack Chambers said the figures are encouraging, but that "more work needs to be done".
"In the new Action Plan for Sport 2021-2023 we are asking all NGBs to achieve 40% gender representation on their boards by the end of 2023. It is a particular priority for me to enable women to take more leadership positions in sport and the 40% reflects this prioritisation."
The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport and Media will today discuss the challenges facing women in sport, with representatives from The Federation of Irish Sport and Sport Ireland.
