Boxing Ireland is proud to be supported by Sport Ireland and the Department of Sport through the 2026 Women in Sport Funding Programme, and part of a €4 million investment that continues to drive meaningful progress across Irish sport.
This funding is central to our ambition to overcome barriers and create more opportunities for women and girls at every level of our sport. It will support our work across the four key Women in Sport policy areas: Coaching & Officiating, Active Participation, Leadership & Governance and Visibility
Today’s investment is about more than programmes and projects. The future of women and girls in sport will not be determined by a single programme, campaign or investment.
The funding allocation matches the record amount invested in the last two years and represents a doubling of the amount allocated in 2022.
The WIS Programme funds projects and initiatives for women and girls across a wide range of sports which support the National Sports Policy’s vision of removing barriers to participation and facilitating equal opportunity. The Programme was established in 2005 and since then over €30 million has been invested in women’s sports through the ringfenced funding.
Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan, said: “The most recent Irish Sports Monitor findings highlighted the significant progress made over the lifetime of the National Sports Policy with 46% of women now participating in sport weekly. The results also illustrated the ongoing need for investment to eliminate a persistent gender participation gap. We remain committed as a government to eliminating the participation gap and the funding announced today is vital to achieving that goal and ensuring that every woman and girl can excel in all aspects of sport.”
Minister for Sport and Postal Policy, Charlie McConalogue, said: “The sustained investment in the Women in Sport Programme over the past 20 years has enabled the sector to provide opportunities and support for women to participate fully in sport, including in coaching and leadership positions. The funding announced today will build on that progress, helping to foster a sporting culture where women can thrive at every level and be empowered to enjoy the benefits of lifelong participation in sport.”
Sport Ireland CEO, Dr Úna May, said: “The Women in Sport Programme reflects one of our core priorities – ensuring women and girls have equal opportunity to take part in sport throughout their lives. It is central to our vision of an active Ireland, one where everyone can experience the lifelong benefits of sport and physical activity. The benefits are profound, especially for women and girls. Sport and physical activity protects physical and mental health and develops leadership skills and confidence that carry into every part of life. It also empowers women and girls to shape their own futures, on their own terms.”