Sport NI’s Rise programme is empowering the next generation of female leaders in sport. Launched in February, the 18 month programme provides tailored support for female coaches, officials and sport administrators working in clubs, governing bodies and local sports forums in the Derry and Strabane, Causeway Coast and Glens and Mid Ulster areas.
Statistics show women are less likely to have taken part in sport at least once within the last year, 55%, than men, 62%. At post primary school level of those who never participated in sport outside school 45% were girls compared with 31% boys. This gap gets wider on our sidelines with women representing just 19.5% of the overall sports coaching workforce and this drops to just 10% for those who coach our World, Olympic or Paralympic athletes.
Rise was designed to develop and enhance leadership behaviours and support women to thrive in leadership positions and influence positive change in their sports.
19 women are participating in the programme, representing 13 different sports, from Camogie and Athletics to Lawn Bowls and Olympic weightlifting. Throughout the programme, this group of officials, coaches and board members will delve into a range of different topics including self-confidence and assertiveness, leading in a male dominated environment, crisis management, communication skills and building a team and leading change in an organisation.
The interactive, blended programme provides participants with the opportunity to work and focus on their own development while also learning from others and hearing about their experiences of leadership.
Orlagh Watters, Interim Head of Sports Systems at Sport NI explained:
“Sport NI is committed to growing a more inclusive and diverse representation in leadership roles across sports at all levels. Female participation in sport is growing but there is much more progress to be made and we want to see more women succeed in leadership roles and to make decisions and drive change within their organisations.
“Rise is supporting and empowering female leaders in sport, whether they be officials, coaches or administrators. We are extremely proud of this programme and are excited to see how the participants grow and thrive, and the impact they will have on their respective sports. We hope this will be the first of many programmes rolled out across Northern Ireland.”
The Rise programme is run in partnership with Derry and Strabane District Council who are making strides in this area with their women in sport strategy.
Elaine Junk, Chairperson of Mid Ulster Ladies Football Club, is participating in the programme and is looking forward to bringing her learning back to her club and other roles in sport,
“For me, being involved in sport is all about making a difference and in terms of the girls and women that I work with in football, it’s about making a positive difference and making them be the best that they can be, both on and off the pitch.
“I’m looking forward to the opportunity learn from all the other vast array of sports that we have in the room and every day is a school day. You pick up something different from every single person you speak to and if I can take back into my own club and even into the governance roles I do and make female sport, even higher on the agenda then that’s mission accomplished.
“It’s been really great to meet so many women from other clubs, from other sports and see where they’re at, the challenges that they’re facing as well and how collectively we can all work together to empower and support each other and make a difference.”