Her Sport Magazine: Issue 1

EMPOWERING WOMEN IN SPORT No. 1 October 2021

LOUISE QUINN

Striding Towards Parity

SANITA PUSPURE

Exclusive: Reflections on the Tokyo Olympics

LEONA MAQUIRE

Europe’s MVP

CATHERINE MARTIN

Q&A with the Minister for Sport

Ellen Keane Golden Girl 1

Over €375,000 invested in local LGFA clubs this year.

Now that is #SeriousSupport 2

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FROM THE EDITOR

A dream, that became reality

I

t is with great pride and sense of achievement that we bring to you the first Her Sport magazine, dedicated to celebrating the strength, skill, determination, and achievement of women in sport.

CONTENTS

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Her Sport is the platform for female athletes. We set out to build something unique in the Irish market; a platform that gives our sportswomen what they have earned - recognition, visibility, and support.

Minister of Sport

Her Sport is here to make a real change and inspire

Minister for Sport, Catherine

future generations. We believe that it’s time to

Martin outlines her vision for

review our attitudes as a society and be honest about

women’s sport.

the attention and investment we are giving women’s

sport.

The statistics are startling. By the age of 14, twice as many girls drop out of sport as boys - research from all over the world has produced this same, sad statistic.

Golden Girl

For our part, we want girls and women to see a future in sport, to feel like they belong and to seize opportunities

Paralympic Champion Ellen

to get involved, no matter what the standard or the role

Keane “A lot of people with

they play.

disabilities don’t have a voice,

The coverage in recent times has been abysmal. 6% of

this medal gives me one.”

sports media coverage in Ireland goes to women’s sport according to Nielsen. Such levels of under-crediting achievements and starving young people of female role models are unsustainable.

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People might read a statistic like that and think, “Well, is the interest really there?” The answer we get back from our Her Sport audience is, overwhelmingly, “Yes”.

Interest and passion are there, we just need to fuel it.

The past two years have been a journey, starting Her Sport as an online publication, using social media to spread the word. Having a physical magazine, a printed copy of our work, was always a dream, something that seemed “down the line” and now it’s here. We are thrilled to launch our first print magazine and humbled by the incredible interest and support from our community and partners.

Many people identify as a sports fan - but are they true fans or just men’s sports fans? It’s time to give female athletes and female teams a chance - tune in and see what it’s all about. Guess what? You can enjoy twice the sport, twice the excitement and more!

What can you expect from our magazine? At the moment it is very rare to see consistent in-depth analysis, behind-the-scenes content, and great stories surrounding women’s sport. We will share these stories, give real insight, and give you the opportunity to learn more and

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Ireland’s First Female Olympian

Maeve Kyle’s courage, bravery and sacrifice was pivotal in paving the way for Ireland’s sportswomen.

World Cup Calling

Vera Pauw aiming to lead Ireland Women’s National Team to their first ever major tournament.

Máire Ní Bhraonáin

“There are so many different avenues for women to be involved in sport.”

become part of the solution.

Niamh Tallon niamh@hersport.ie

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EDITOR IN CHIEF Niamh Tallon  FEATURES EDITOR Mohammed Mahomed  DESIGN BusinessPostGroup Niamh Tallon, Mohammed Mahomed, Grace Wynne  ADVERTISING SALES & PARTNERSHIPS CONTACT

HER SPORT TOP 3 FROM 2021 1

Golden Girls

The Irish team triumphed at the Olympic and Paralympic Games, as the Golden Girls brought home the glory. Kellie Harrington (boxing), Ellen Keane (swimming), Eve McCrystal and Katie-George Dunlevy (cycling) all left Tokyo with gold medals - a phenomenal result.

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2

Tough At The Top From the moment Sanita Puspure sat into a rowing boat she knew it was love. What she didn’t anticipate was that it would be life too.

Equality for (b)all

At the end of 2020, the Gaelic Players Association and Women’s Gaelic Players Association merged, heralding parity of funding between male and female intercounty GAA players. In soccer, the FAI introduced equal pay for both the women’s and men’s senior National teams.

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Record TV Numbers

Stop The Drop Six Time All-Ireland Champion on a mission to keep girls in sport

600,000 12.6 1.1

Almost 600,000 viewers tuned in to watch the All-Ireland

34 26 30 38

Q&A With Leona Maguire

Get to know the superstar of the Solheim Cup. Europe’s MVP.

Olympic & Paralympic Rewind

Tokyo 2021 was an unforgettable experience for Team Ireland. Take a trip down memory lane & learn more about our history at the Games.

Win An iPad

Get creative and colour your way to a new iPad.

Football Finals triple header at Croke Park (Tg4)

mln

12.6 million people watched the US Open Tennis Final between Emma Raducanu and Leylah Fernandez (C4)

mln

1.1 million watched the Women’s Super League Manchester Derby (BBC One)

DesignStudio  COMMERCIAL Richie Kelly  PHOTOS Sportsfile  PRINTING Boylan Print Group  DISTRIBUTION Business Post Group  CONTRIBUTORS Alanna Cunnane, Jessica Woodlock. richie@recordmedia.org  EDITORIAL CONTACT niamh@hersport.ie

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Q&A Y

Making the case for sports funding

ou’re the second woman at cabinet level to oversee sport in Ireland.

group. Bringing a sense of adventure and excitement can

With a focus on women’s sport, what is your vision?

also really help to engage and keep girls involved. This

My overall vision for women’s sport is one where women have an

might be through unusual sports, different venues, com-

equal opportunity to achieve their full potential while enjoying a

bining sports, etc.

lifelong involvement in sport. A fundamental aim of the Government’s National Sports Policy is to increase the levels of partici-

Q At elite level there has been great success for Irish sports

pation in sport and physical activity across the population, with

women over the past number of years. What do you attri-

a specific focus on less represented groups including women and

bute this to?

girls.

There have been many wonderful achievements by Irish

Addressing women’s participation at all levels in sport is an im-

sportswomen across a wide range of sports in recent

portant element of the National Sports Policy and I very much en-

years.

dorse and share the ambitious aim set out in the policy to eliminate

This success is a result of a long-term sustained com-

the gender gap in sports participation by 2027. This is a priority for me

mitment to high performance sport in Ireland. Funded

and I am determined to see that gender gap eliminated altogether.

by Sport Ireland, National Governing Bodies of Sport are delivering high performance programmes which offer a

Q Earlier in March, Sport Ireland released a report giving insight into the

pathway for young girls to begin in a sport and strive to

reasons for teenage girls dropping out of sport and the barriers to partici-

reach their potential.

pation. What can we learn from this?

The community of elite sportswomen in Ireland is thriv-

The biggest learning from the “Girls Get Active” Report was that sports

ing. The Sport Ireland Campus is a home for this commu-

organisations should seek to implement the key principles of success

nity to engage across multiple sports, and not only inspire

embedded in the report when creating programmes for teenage girls, to

each other to perform but also act as role models for the

engage and connect with teenage girls, to support them to embrace sport

next generation.

and physical activity into their lives. These are particularly valuable for

Sport Ireland provides high performance funding which is

girls who are less engaged currently, however they can also be relevant

focused on potential and results, placing an equal value on

for active girls to enhance their experience and prevent them from drop-

success across genders.

ping out of sport.

Not feeling good enough to join in, feeling too old to start a new sport,

Q Where do you think we are in terms of the current status

not thinking of themselves as ‘sporty’ or the sport becoming too serious,

of women’s sport in Ireland?

are all barriers to taking part. We know we need activities where girls

From a high performance sports perspective, wom-

don’t feel judged when they take part. By applying the Eight Principles

en’s sport in Ireland is performing outstandingly when

of Success in your programme, you help create that welcoming and

compared against the best in the world. The Olympic and

non-judgemental environment for girls to enjoy taking part.

Paralympic Games in Tokyo this summer were very suc-

There is also the requirement to ensure initiatives are available where

cessful in terms of the performance of our sportswomen.

girls can try a new sport no matter their age. That they feel confident to

From a participation point of view, the participation gra-

do that and that they won’t feel they have to start with the younger age

dient between males and females is continuing to narrow.

However, the percentage of girls who meet the National Physical Activity Guidelines of one hour of physical activ-

“My overall vision for women’s sport is one where women have an equal opportunity to achieve their full potential” 6

ity per day is still less than boys and hence why teenage girls is a focus of the Sport Ireland Women in Sport Policy.

What can we do to bring this forward?

I am committed to addressing the gender gap in sports participation and will continue to ensure that the sports sector creates and delivers physical activity programmes targeting women and girls in sport.

Catherine Martin

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media - Catherine Martin TD

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The funding provided by Government supports women’s sport across a variety of programmes, including the Women in Sport programme. Since 2005, over €20 million has been invested through this Programme and has supported National Governing Bodies and Local Sports Partnerships in delivering participation programme for women and girls. The Women in Sport funding was increased from €3m to €4m for the 2021/2022 funding cycle.

I was pleased to secure increased funding for Sport Ireland in the Budget for 2022, bringing their total budget for current expenditure to over €96 million compared to €92 million for 2021. This will enable Sport Ireland to continue to support National Governing Bodies and Local Sports Partnerships in delivering programmes. I will continue to make a case for funding for sport at Government.

Q This magazine is the first women’s sport magazine in Ireland. How important is visibility?

Visibility is critical, not just the visibility of the elite athletes and national teams but also the local heroes, coaches, leaders, officiators and pundits.

The media has a crucial role to play through broadcasting and reporting of women’s sport. I am delighted that the media is responding and we are seeing more women’s sport being televised. However, the gains which have been made in recent years are fragile and continued focus by all parties is required to ensure that they are maintained.

FACTS

I was really pleased with the recent

■ National Sports Policy aims to eliminate the gender gap in sports participation by 2027.

■ Women in Sport funding was increased from €3m to €4m for 2021/2022 funding cycle.

■ Sport Ireland funding increased from €92 million to €96 million in Budget 2022.

announcement by TG4 that they have reached an agreement with the FAI to broadcast live Women’s National League games free to air on TG4, and globally via the TG4 player app. I believe that this increased exposure will be a real boost to the women’s game in Ireland.

Q We cover some taboo topics such as menstrual cycle, body image and confidence.

exercise and non-team based activities, where no one is

What are your thoughts on these topics in

relying on them to be the best, or judging them for not

relation to sport?

being good enough. However, by taking part in individ-

I welcome the volume of research and

ual exercise girls can miss out on the social support and

education that we are now seeing on the topic of the menstrual cycle and

motivation of team sports, and therefore find it harder to

sport. Female and male athletes are different and being able to educate

maintain a regular exercise routine. A happy medium is

athletes and coaches on the effects and benefits of hormone change due

to connect girls with others through a shared individual

to the menstrual cycle is really important. The topics of menstrual cycle,

interest such as cycling, outdoor adventure, swimming,

body image and confidence are all included in the Sport Ireland Coach-

skating, dancing or running, and to go out in friendship

ing Girls Workshop as it’s really important to educate coaches on these

groups with no pressure or commitment required.

topics.

Other important topics and areas that Sport Ireland look at include the

Q What do you say to all the girls out there who are think-

menopause and perinatal physical activity. Many of the sports and Local

ing of leaving sport, or who have already done so?

Sports Partnerships have utilised Sport Ireland funding to create physical

From the Girls Get Active research, we believe that girls

activity programmes for new mothers or midlife women going through

are unaware of the multitude of opportunities that exist

the menopause. All these areas are vital in order to increase the participa-

to be active and sports to get involved in. And from the

tion of women in sport and exercise.

research we know that girls would like to try out other sports but they just don’t know where to start. I would

Q A study was done that showed the confidence of young girls in Ireland is

encourage girls to explore what else is available in their

very low. Why do you think this is and how can we change it?

area and to try it out. I would also reach out to parents

The Girls Get Active Research highlighted that by ages 13-15, many girls

and teachers to try and pass on information about other

have labelled themselves ‘not sporty’ and are living by this label, with

sporting activities in the area to the students.

few (if any) attempts to counter it. They have deep rooted perceptions

For those thinking of leaving, it’s important to figure out

of sporty girls as popular, confident, cliquey and attractive, and these

exactly why you want to leave. Coaches are being educated

stereotypes are reinforced in popular culture and in their everyday expe-

to seek and action feedback from their players/athletes

riences of sport. Non-sporty girls therefore tend to feel less confident and

and so girls in sport (or their parents) should ensure this

good about themselves because they are not these things and do not see

system of feedback to the coach is in place. The youth of

themselves reflected in these role models.

today should have a voice in the decisions that adults are

Consequently, ‘non-sporty’ girls tend to gravitate toward individual

making, this includes in sport.

8

Her Sport Awards 2021 2021 has proved to be an unprecedented year for Irish women in sport. Irish sports women contributed to some of the most thrilling and memorable moments, in what was arguably one of the best years in Irish sporting history.

Nominations are now open for the Her Sport Awards 2021 in our four categories. Just scan the QR code in the corner of this page and have your say in who we should honour at this year’s awards.

THE 2021

2021 CATAGORIES

FORMER WINNERS

■ Athlete Of The Year

Athlete Of The Year

■ Team Of The Year

■ Katie Taylor (2019)

■ Young Athlete Of The Year Under 23 at the start 1 January 2021

■ Hall Of Fame

Recognising outstanding contribution to Irish sport

■ Sanita Puspure (2018)

■ Ciara Mageean (2020)

Young Athlete Of The Year ■ Katie O’Brien (2019) ■ Ellen Molloy (2020)

Team Of The Year

■ Irish Hockey Team (2019) ■ Kilkenny Camogie (2020)

NOMINATE

9

Catch me

Beibhinn Parsons

if you can

By Jessica Woodlock

be? My life would be so much different”.

Béibhinn

The blistering winger’s rise in the sport

Parsons in

or most, 2020 was a year that many

was so rapid she made her senior Irish

full fight

would rather forget. This doesn’t in-

debut before playing a senior provincial

during the

clude Beibhinn Parsons, who achieved

match, not to mention club. “It definitely

Women’s Six

so much.

hasn’t been linear and it definitely hasn’t

Nations Rugby

In 2018, at just 16-years old, the Gal-

been your typical pathway to rugby” said

Championship

way native became the youngest ever

Parsons.

match against

Irish rugby senior international. By

Her talents haven’t gone unnoticed, and

Italy at

2020, Parsons became a regular in the

while she still hasn’t made her senior

Energia Park.

Irish set-up dazzling both crowds and

club debut to date, she has won Connacht

PHOTO

opposition with her dancing feet and

Women’s Player of the Year, as well as the

Ramsey Cardy/

turn of pace. Parsons made a signifi-

Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland Wom-

Sportsfile

F

cant impact for Ireland with three tries in the Six Nations, including THAT electric

“I was absolutely baffled. To even be

solo try against Wales.

nominated or considered would have been

Meanwhile, the Ballinasloe star was also

far, far outside my expectations. I know

studying for her Leaving Cert, which inci-

I’m not the finished article yet and my

dentally, she never had to sit. “2020 could

toughest training and most gruesome

have been worse,” Parsons admits with

matches are still ahead of me…so that was

a wry smile. “You don’t really stop too much, but at 19 looking back…I’m wonder-

FACTS

a major high”.

“Looking back, I thought I had to be the

ing “how?”

■ 14 Caps for Ireland (Senior)

finished article at 16. I was comparing

Growing up there was no girls team in her

■ 7 Six Nations Tries

myself to the likes of Sene [Naoupu] or

local rugby club, meaning for many years

■ Club : Ballinasloe/Connacht

Eimear Considine and I was just putting a

Parsons’ talents lay on the Gaelic pitch. It

■ Youngest Ever Irish Interna-

lot of pressure on myself right off the bat”.

wasn’t until two girl’s fathers decided to

10

en’s Player of the Year.

tional Player Men/Women

While it has become the norm for the

set up a team that Parsons got her chance

■ DOB: 30/11/2001

winger to make headlines, it is only in re-

with the oval ball.

■ Awards: Guinness Rugby

cent years that coverage of women’s sport

Writers of Ireland Women’s

has made any headway, she recognises. “It

“They decided ‘that needs to change, let’s

Player of the Year Award

seems there has been an explosion of Irish

change that, we’ll coach them. It’s incred-

2019/2020. Connacht

female talent, but it was always there –

ible to think that if these people didn’t

Women’s Player of the Year

now we can just see it.”

make those steps forward where would we

Award 2020/2021.

Beibhinn Parsons. Know the name.

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11

Ellen Keane

12

‘A lot of people with

disabilities don’t have a voice, this medal gives me one’

By Alanna Cunnane

W

hen Ellen Keane swam to glory at the Tokyo

an outgoing person when it comes to media and when-

Paralympics she didn’t jump for joy or cry out

ever I have a story to tell I’m quite open with things

and dance on the pool ropes. Instead, she chose

like that, but when it comes to sport, I can be very

to just throw a glance toward the scoreboard

private and that was quite a private thing for me.”

and relinquish a contented smile.

While the celebration may not have been the emotional

Surely the blood sweat and tears that it takes to

outburst many expected, it did culminate later in the

triumph at Paralympic standard yields the most

day when the National Aquatic Centre swimmer had

emphatic of reactions?

a quiet moment alone and informed her social media

“How do you react to something you knew was

that she had “a little cry” in the dining hall.

going to happen?” the Paralympic Champion

“It didn’t really hit me until they introduced me as

says.

‘Paralympic Champion’,” Keane admits.

Her explanation, far from arrogant, is a reflec-

“There’s a Paralympic bronze medallist and a

tion of Keane’s self-belief, born out of proficiency and

Paralympic silver medallist, but there’s only one

skill honed in training for over half of the 26 year old’s

Paralympic Champion. I think that kind of got to me a

life.

little bit. It was very emotional.”

Having claimed a bronze medal at Rio 2016, four of the

Acknowledgement of her team followed as did a video

same colour at World competitions and a gold in the 2018

call with her exuberant family members and words of

European Championships, the ultimate measure of great-

congratulations from fellow competitors, but there

ness remained the top podium spot at the Paralympics.

was one factor the DIT Culinary student didn’t antici-

“It’s been 13 years and four games to get that first gold

pate- the adoring public and the pride of the nation.

medal. I had so much belief in my capabilities of doing

Something she admits she has been struggling with

it that when I got there and actually won the gold medal,

since her return from Japan, the Dublin woman

I was kind of just like, ‘okay I did it’,” she says with a

contrasts the isolated course up until this

trademark laugh.

point with the alternate reality she

“I don’t think I reacted as well as everyone had hoped.

now finds herself in.

Barry [her coach] was saying he wanted me to be on the

“All these random peo-

lane rope and screaming but I’m not like that. I’m quite

“There’s a Paralympic bronze medalist and a Paralympic silver medalist, but there’s only one Paralympic Champion. I think that kind of got to me a little bit.

It was emotional.”

13

“I hid myself instead because I didn’t want to be stared at or be different or be ashamed and I felt like I was unworthy of love because I was so different.”

Ellen Keane

ple keep coming up to me and wanting to talk to me and

the world that I was afraid.”

in action in

hold my medal. It’s a bit overwhelming because I’m not

College brought with it a change of

the pool and

used to this. Its lovely, I just don’t think I was prepared

surroundings, it also alleviated the

meeting her

for it.”

pressure to “hide herself”, instead

fans

Ever since her victory in Tokyo Keane has made strides to

focusing on a new beginning.

PHOTO

utilise the attention to the best of her ability and to “do

“Thankfully when I did that I

Sportsfile and

something good with it.”

learned that the world doesn’t

Ellen Keane

“A lot of people with disabilities don’t have a voice and

revolve around me and I’m not the

this medal is going to give me a voice” she says.

center of the universe and people

“It wasn’t about making money or putting myself in the

really don’t care much about my

spotlight, it was more that there’s a story that needs to be

arm” she says.

told and nobody is doing it, so I need to.”

“I learned to love my arm and I

Keane professes a sense of responsibility to change per-

think I started to become a happier

ceptions of disability for the next generation.

person and I felt like everyone

A self-confessed “happy kid”, the disability advocate be-

needs to feel that. The reason I

gan to feel body image anxieties approaching her teenage

went through that was because

years.

there was nobody like me for peo-

“Anyone going through adolescence has those insecu-

ple to relate to.”

On Paralym-

rities about their body and they might try and change

As the golden girl points out, many disabilities are hidden,

pic debut in

things like their style or hair colour, but the one thing I

but there are also physical ones that aren’t as well repre-

Beijing 2008,

couldn’t change about myself was my arm and it was the

sented in the media such as “wheelchair users, visually

Ellen Keane

one thing that was so different about me to everyone else”

impaired or deaf people.”

swam 1:27.61

says Keane.

“There’s so many different disabilities out there and I

FACT

in the 100M

wanted to do something to make people more aware.”

breastroke. In

Normalising Disabilities

Tokyo 2020,

“I hid myself instead because I didn’t want to be stared at

people are going to be so used to the one-armed girl

she became

or be different or be ashamed and I felt like I was unwor-

because of me, and she won’t have to feel that she has to

Paralympic

thy of love because I was so different.”

hide.”

Champion

There was a place of serenity however, a place where

We will be seeing a lot more of Ellen Keane in the years to

in the same

teenage Ellen excelled both physically, emotionally, and

come as she wants to compete at Paris 2024. Her legion of

event, with

mentally. That was the pool.

fans, both new and old, can look forward to the next cycle

a time of

“I was really aware that I could be a happy person in the

of the Paralympics, and the next step in her inspirational

1:19.93.

pool and fully accepted myself there, but it was only out in

journey.

14

“This is so that with the little girl joining the new school

The Games of your life take courage Ellen Keane Paralympic Gold Medalist

Allianz, proud partner of Paralympics Ireland.

BLAST FROM THE PAST

Ireland’s First Female Olympian

O

ver 60 years ago, Maeve Kyle became the first Irish woman to compete at an Olympic Games. Kyle’s courage, bravery and sacrifice was pivotal in shifting the perception of women and empowering other Irish females to challenge the status-quo and follow in her footsteps.

Maeve Kyle

Her achievement was remarkable when you consider Irish society at the time where the view was widely

held that the extent of a woman’s role and ambition should be to get married and become a housewife.

From a young age, sport was a major part of who Maeve was. At home, there were

Maeve Kyle at the Aviva Stadium in 2013 PHOTO Ramsey Cardy/ Sportsfile

no barriers, given the same opportunity to do whatever her brothers were doing. She played touch rugby, hockey

FACTS

and swam - all with “the

training with Sean, she was ready but there

with uproar from the media and the Irish

boys”. She competed and

remained a doubt that Team Ireland would

public. She describes herself as an “athlet-

won against the boys in her

break from tradition and send a woman to

ic suffragette”, proudly going against the

Olympic athlete and Ire-

father’s school where he was

the Olympic Games.

grain.

land’s first triple Olympian;

headmaster.

Just two months prior to the Olympic

The family had to raise £200, a huge sum

competed in Melbourne

The Kilkenny native was

Games, Maeve received confirmation that

in that era, to fund the trip but after a two-

(1956), Rome (1960) and

first and foremost a hockey

she was selected to represent Ireland in

week journey Maeve arrived in Australia

Tokyo (1964).

player. Having mastered the

the Women’s 100m and 200m in Mel-

and made history competing in the sprints.

sport in school, she went on

bourne. As expected, the decision was met

Following Melbourne, Meave went on to

■ Ireland’s first ever female

■ Bronze Medalist in the

400m at the 1966 European to win 58 caps for Ireland Indoor Athletics Champion- and was named in the World

All-Star team in 1953 and

ships.

■ 58 Irish Senior International 1959. In 2006, Maeve was hockey caps

inducted into the Irish Hockey Hall of Fame.

Hockey changed her life. In 1953, she found herself at a post-game party in Antrim, where she met her husband, Sean Kyle, who convinced her to take up sprinting, with him as coach.

Meave threw herself into sprinting and the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, became her goal. After three years of

16

The decision was met with uproar from the media and the Irish public. She describes herself as an “athletic suffragette”, proudly going against the grain.

compete at two more Olympic Games - the 1960 Rome Olympics where the 400m and the 800m were introduced for women and, at 36 years old, she made history again, becoming Ireland’s first triple Olympian at the 1964 Tokyo Games.

We often celebrate athletic courage, whether it’s applauding a body on-theline tackle or watching a player step up to take a last minute penalty. Courage is also being 28 years of age and risking the anger of the press and the public to become a true pioneer for Irish women in sport and blaze a trail for those that come after you.

“Community and belonging is for everybody. Sport is for everybody.”

- Eimear Considine, Gym+Coffee Ambassador, Rugby Player, Teacher

ATHLEISURE DESIGNED IN IRELAND

MAKE LIFE RICHER gympluscoffee.com

17

By Jessica Woodlock

V

Vera Pauw

era Pauw is a fountain of football knowledge and experience. As a player and a coach, she has had success at the highest level in the game. In 1988, Pauw became the first female Dutch player to play professionally after she signed for Italian side Modena. She also amassed 89 senior caps for the Netherlands. As a coach, Pauw has overseen the development of the women’s game in the Nether-

lands, Scotland, Russia, South Africa and Thailand.

Now, her mission is clear - Lead the Republic of Ireland Women’s National Team to their first ever senior international major tournament. Key elements of the strategy to take them there, are already in place such as Pauw’s aim to replicate the actions of her home country with the introduction of “mixed teamed football”.

“It's simple – training with boys means automatically that you have highly qualified coaches, you have more training sessions, you have higher pressure, and you have a better teaching environment.

The introduction of mixed team training sessions has already seen improvements, the talents of the players are so high and we’re getting better and better and better,” explains Pauw.

For Pauw, the recent efforts towards

World Cup Calling

equality within the FAI have been welcomed, such as equal pay for national teams, but it is the changes she is imple-

was the biggest issue before”.

properly while pregnant you need different

Vera Pauw at

menting in her programmes for players

Pauw is pleased by the FAI putting their

solutions and that costs money - the FAI

FAI Head-

and training that will make all the differ-

commitment into practice such as the

has done it and I’m proud of that”.

quarters in

ence in achieving the main goal of major

recent introduction of a second physio-

In a sport derided for its reliance on

Abbotstown,

tournament football.

therapist for the WNT, made all the more

talking in cliches in the media, Vera Pauw

Dublin.

“I study a lot. Any research that comes

urgent by the fact that the team’s current

is a breath of fresh air. Pauw clearly has

PHOTO

out I want to know; I want to see. I bring

physiotherapist is pregnant and workdays

the self-belief and drive to boldly go where

David Fitzger-

in new things to help us grow and make

with the team could be eight in the morn-

no other senior Republic of Ireland Wom-

ald/Sportsfile

sure we keep developing. Improvements

ing to 11:30 at night.

en’s National Team coach has gone before

in preparation for the team means that

“We celebrate and we take care of them,”

and achieve qualification for a major tour-

players can train more at this higher level

said Pauw, “but in order to facilitate wom-

nament. She won’t be found wanting when

but, more importantly, rest more – that

en working and looking after themselves

it comes to support.

18

Cranking Up The Pressure For Parity

By Alanna Cunnane

Louise Quinn

H

ow far we have come. Just four years ago, PFAI solicitor, Stuart Gilhooly declared, “They are being treated as a fifth-class citizen, the dirt on the FAI’s shoe,” as the Women’s National Team threatened to withdraw from playing for their country. Players were frustrated over the absence of the fundamental basics; a lack of match fees, hand-me-down tracksuits and being forced to change in public toilets on the way to matches.

Lessons have been learned, steps towards parity made. After a landmark agreement with the FAI, the women’s team will receive €2,000 per match. No more and significantly, no less than their male

“niche” in football.

to realise the inequalities that need to be

Louise Quinn

counterparts.

“It was just a forever thing. I have been

addressed.

celebrates

A new stand-alone sponsorship with Sky

wearing Liverpool and Irish jerseys since I

“This Eureka moment that they have... We

after scoring

has been secured, while tickets to games

was five years old. There’s pictures of me

think ‘well it’s about time to be honest!”

against

are being sold out in minutes. There is

and my sisters dancing around with my

“It’s great that the penny has dropped, but

Australia

huge excitement surrounding this team.

auntie waving Irish flags. We always cele-

it’s got to be from the start. Women and

at Tallaght

“It’s not about the money, it’s just literally

brated it and I just really enjoyed it.”

girls should be backed straight away and

Stadium.

not given a harder path. It’s that change

PHOTO

“It didn’t feel like there were many

of culture, of society and of how things are

Seb Daly/

All this backing and support however

barriers in the way for me, but I’d say my

looked at. It is changing, but there’s still

Sportsfile

brings more than just PR packages and

mam would probably say there were a lot,”

an extremely long way to go.”

extra supporters. The newly appointed

Quinn reflects. “It’s just so important for

On the pitch, Quinn is hopeful the outfit

Birmingham City captain and Irish star

us and for football to have that support

have “learned from past mistakes”, as

Louise Quinn reiterates with a little smile,

from boys, girls, men, women, every-

they attempt to qualify for the World Cup.

it also “turns up the notch of pressure.”

body.”

The crash out of the Euros is still fresh,

Everyone in women’s football is build-

Although she does admit it “takes a while…

they “don’t want to feel that hurt again.”

ing something right now and we want

It shouldn’t take a daughter” for people

“The support on and off the pitch now has

the parity and it’s at all levels”.

to really push that forward, especially in

just been incredible. You need so many

Irish football. We try to be role models, try

elements to make a team successful, but

to get people in love with football and in

STATS

love with the Irish team, supporting their

obviously having the confidence and the backing of your association and the spon-

nation.”

■ Caps: 87

sor Sky is huge. They’re backing us and

The 31-year old’s own upbringing tinged

■ Goals: 12

now we’ve really got to back ourselves.”

with the mindset of a Garden County GAA

■ Countries with equal pay:

Ireland have yet to qualify for a major

dad and a tennis enthused mum, tried a

England, Brazil, Australia, Norway, New Zea-

international tournament but the squad is

land and now Ireland.

getting closer and closer.

multitude of sports before finding her

19

‘There are so many different avenues for women to be involved in sport’ í N e r i Má n i á n o a r Bh

By Alanna Cunnane

Y

secondary education. They mightn’t even be aware of how much they enjoy it.”

ou may recognise her as the

A long-time supporter of women’s sport,

face of Tg4’s Peil na mBan

Tg4 has upped the ante in recent times

Beo, the voice of Rugbaí Beo or

investing in broadcast deals and produc-

even a former member of the

tion for LGFA, the FAI Women’s National

Galway Ladies Football team,

League and the IRFU’s Women’s Rugby

but do you know the woman

Interprovincial series.

behind the TV personality of

Behind the cameras too, they’ve made

Máire Ní Bhraonáin?

significant strides; one example being

A drama and theatre studies

their all-female production team behind a

with modern Irish graduate

Leinster rugby game. It’s a clear statement

from Trinity College Dublin,

of intent from the broadcaster setting a

hailing from Milltown Co. Gal-

benchmark for future productions on the

way, Ní Bhraonáin lives a double life

channel.

as both a presenter and a secondary

“There are so many different avenues for

school teacher.

women to be involved in sport, we need to

“Admittedly it’s getting harder to

get that message out there,” she says.

balance the two, but the lessons

While Ní Bhraonáin acknowledges there is

learned from my sporting career

much more to be done to achieve equality

have served me well so far – that

across all aspects of sport she’s encour-

ability to work effectively as part of a

aged by the collective effort she’s wit-

team,” she says.

Ní Bhraonáin made her senior inter-

nessed at TG4, in the spirit of the powerful Irish saying, “Ar scáth a chéile a mhaire-

county debut against Dublin in 2011 and

ann na daoine.”

first appeared on our TV screens aged 16

Most importantly, as Ní Bhraonáin points

in an interview with Mícheál Ó Domhnaill

out, the drive for equality in sports broad-

for the launch of the LGFA’s ‘Mothers and

casting is one of the most visible and im-

Other’s’ programme. She’d been put for-

pactful examples of how positive progress

ward for the slot due to her Irish language

is being made in relation to the promotion

skills in what turned out to be somewhat

of women’s sport in Ireland.

of a screentest for her future role as a TG4 presenter.

Being exposed to our native language and using it as a strength is something Ní Bhraonáin has become an advocate for stating, “Irish people forget how much they know and if they just are in a relaxed

20

FACTS ■ Presenter, commentator, analyst and secondary school teacher.

■ Made her Galway Senior championship debut

environment where somebody allows

in 2011 against Dublin. - Winner of 3x Con-

them to watch a match, for example, peo-

nacht Titles, 1x Minor All-Ireland Title, 1x U16

ple will pick up so many words they that

All-Ireland Title and 2x All-Ireland Club 7’s

have learned through their primary and

Titles.

21

Chasing Dreams

Niamh Fahey

Photo by SPORTSFILE

By Alanna Cunnane

Niamh Fahey

fully unaware” of the challenges faced by

and make the switch.

celebrates

women in sport during her younger years

“Once I got involved with the Ireland

rowing up her heroes were Steven

Denise

as she was brought up in a house with

Women’s National Team, I knew I had

Gerrard and Michael Owen, but

O’Sullivan’s

equal opportunity when it came to sport.

to make a decision because things were

to some kids today, Niamh Fahey

goal against

Before making the decision to pursue soc-

getting pretty full on with my schedule,”

herself is the Liverpool FC icon they

Australia

cer however, there came a fork

aspire to be.

at Tallaght

in the road where she had to

“Your dreams are limitless, you just

Stadium.

deliberate between elite level

have to follow them,” says Fahey.

PHOTO

Ladies Gaelic Football and a

Having played for Arsenal, Bor-

Stephen

professional soccer career.

deaux and Chelsea, the 34-year-old

McCarthy/

In 2004, Niamh followed in

became The Reds captain as of last

Sportsfile

her brother, Gary’s footsteps

G

year and has come a long way from

up the The Hogan Stand to

lunchtime “World Cup” kickabouts

claim an All-Ireland Football

Your dreams are limitless, you just have to follow them

she says. “I started getting paid regularly as a professional which influenced my decision, but I think it was always going to be a case of choosing football. I felt like I would have the most opportunity to push myself on an international level

in primary school but is still keen to soak

Championship final win with Galway. She

and, at a club level, to chase the dream of

it all in.

was 10 days shy of her 17th birthday and

playing for Liverpool.”

“It's kind of surreal to be honest and it's

destined for many more great days in her

Whether she would ever make the return

not something that I take for granted,” she

sporting career.

to an Irish set up before she hangs up her

says. “It's a massive privilege to be able to

Like so many well-known young multi-

boots remains to be seen for the Revive

wear the armband and lead the team. It's

sports stars such as Saoirse Noonan and

athlete ambassador, vowing to “contin-

the stuff of dreams for me.”

Sarah Rowe, she faced the same dilemma;

ue to play as long as possible” and “see

As the youngest of eight, she was “bliss-

when to prioritise one sport over the other

what’s in store.”

22

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Q&A Team Europe’s MVP

1 2

There’s only one place to start. The Solheim Cup. You played a pivotal role in Europe’s triumph - talk to us about that experience.

The Solheim Cup was definitely the highlight of my career so far. The week itself was more amazing than I would’ve ever dreamed of. We made memories

that will last a lifetime. Earning 4.5/5 points for Team Europe was the icing on

Leona Maguire

FACTS ■ 6 Career Top 10 finishes ■ Became the most successful rookie in the 31year history of the Solheim Cup ■ The only player to play every match ■ Took 4.5 points out of a possible 5 - unbeaten ■ Ranked 45 in the world

room for improvement. The last number

the cake and just added to what really was

of years opened my eyes to the statistical

a truly special week.

evidence of the gender inequality that does exist however, over the course of the

You shared a message on social media

campaign we could definitely see waves of

- ‘To all the little girls with big dreams..

change ripple through. There is no doubt

Chase them, it won’t be easy but I

that the number of young girls playing

promise it’s worth it.’ You are using

sports today is as high as it ever has been

your platform to inspire the next gen-

but I think it is our responsibility now to

eration. What motivates you to do this?

ensure that these young girls continue to

Sport has been a huge part of my life

play sport as they progress through their

since I was a young girl and I simply

teenage years and into adulthood. Golf

couldn’t imagine my life without it. Sport

specifically has made increasing efforts to

has allowed me to meet so many incredible

promote gender equality through part-

people and develop so many wonderful

nerships with the Ladies and Men’s pro

friendships that I will treasure for a life-

tours to host combined fields events where

time. I would like to think that I can now

the women and men compete at the same

use my platform as an athlete to share my

course, on the same dates for equal prize

journey with the next generation of young

funds. I think that the most powerful force

people and young athletes, showing them

that a young girl or boy can see is their

what can be achieved if you dedicate your-

heroes competing in real life.

self and stick with it.

3

Gender barriers are slowly being

4 5

Taking it back in time, how did you get

smashed in different sports. Portmar-

started with golf?

nock Golf Club ended their men-only

Our house was sports mad growing

membership policy. How do you see

up so I suppose I couldn’t imagine my

things progressing?

life without it. Me and my twin Lisa started playing golf when we were

Golf, like many other sports, has made

about nine or ten. Dad used to bring us

significant inroads in the last number

to the driving range at Slieve Russell

of years with respect to gender equality

– that was our playground growing up.

and inclusivity across the sport. That said,

We used to bet a Mars bar over who could

as with everything in life, there is always

get it across the road that runs across the driving range.

“The best kind of psychology that I have leaned on would be knowing that I was as prepared as I could be” 26

Leona Maguire in action in Toledo, Ohio, USA. PHOTO Brian Spurlock/ Sportsfile

What’s next for Leona Maguire?

I have had some top-5 finishes already this year and it would definitely be a goal of mine to get a win out on the LPGA soon. Representing Ireland at the Olympics

is always a huge

honour for

me. Paris 2024 is

definitely a

goal of mine and

the prospect of winning an Olympic medal gives me lots of motivation.

We are committed to supporting Leona Maguire and her drive for world-class success.

Success in any kind of sport takes hard work.

But to become a world-class success, well, that’s a whole other ball game.

In this very special year, Leona is leading the way for women’s golf in Ireland. And inspiring all Irish athletes to follow their dreams. We’re committed to supporting you all the way - every drive, pitch, chip and putt.

Davy. Supporting young Irish athletes.

We’re also committed to delivering world-class financial plans and pensions. Talk to us today by calling +353 1 614 3346 or visit davy.ie

J & E Davy, trading as Davy, is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.

27

: t c e j o r P y l i m a F The y e n r u o J c i p m y l O s ’ e r u p š u P From the moment she sat into a rowing boat Sanita Pušpure knew it was love, but what she didn’t anticipate was that it would be life too. Two-time World Champion, two-time European Champion, three-time Olympian, Pušpure has been the leading light for Irish rowing for a decade.

By Alanna Cunnane

www.setantacollege.com 28

@setantacollege

info@setantacollege.com

Sanita Puspure

P

ušpure fell into rowing again when a

As the medals came, so did the funding and a

wants you to win.”

missed turn for Dublin Zoo brought her

chance to ease some of the pressure that’s built

“I don’t think I can appreciate what I’ve

to Islandbridge, the hotspot for rowing

from keeping an Olympic dream alive. But the

achieved just yet. I need a bit more time post

in Dublin. At 26-years old, pregnant with

sacrifices were ever present.

sport to actually understand what I’ve gotten to

her second child, she decided almost

“Danielle’s birthday. I was nearly always away

do and how I came along.”

immediately that she was going back to

at camp. She got two cakes, that was the bright

Fresh in Pušpure’s mind is a disappointing To-

rowing, as soon as “the baby was out.”

side of it, when I came back, we would do it

kyo Olympics. Much hyped as a medal prospect

Initially it was social therapy, a much

again. It’s also the little things to miss out on,

for Team Ireland, bowing out at the semi-final

needed break from the house. “I think

not being there when something great happens,

stage in the Olympics came as a shock to every-

it was so good for me to get out. I was

some milestone for the kids.”

one except the athlete herself.

happier as a person. I belonged some-

Missing out gave Pušpure the motivation she

“It wasn’t a bad day; it was a bad year. I proba-

where else, not just at home. I think it’s

needed to “make every camp count” so that the

bly needed another couple of months to get my-

so important for people to have that sense of

time away from her family wasn’t in vain.

self right. I kept to myself, and I didn’t do many

belonging.”

“It was harder when they were smaller be-

interviews. If I did any, I lied and said that I was

Back on the water, Pušpure’s ambition to get

cause they didn’t understand why mum was

in great shape and everything’s going well, I

back to international rowing and compete at the

going away. The older they get, the more they

just didn’t want people to know. You want to

Olympics was reignited. With two children in

understand what it’s all about and it becomes a

look as invincible as possible, and you don’t

tow, described by Pušpure as a “crazy dream”,

different type of hard because they also expect

want your opponent to know that you’ve been

rowing became the family project and Pušpure

you to do well. They love you and they want you

through struggles, that you are vulnerable.”

set about pushing the boundaries of what is

back. But they also want you to be happy when

While Sunita struggled the Ireland Women’s

possible as a mother in elite sport.

you come back. I wish I could say it all made me

Fours were busy winning bronze for Ireland.

Countless sacrifices were made for “mommy to

a better mum, but I don’t think it did.”

“It was so tough to watch the girls progress

win a gold medal”. She describes each hurdle

from the side-lines, when I was just hanging

they faced managing the daily routine and

Medals

financial struggles like any normal family but

As the hard work and sacrifice began to pay off,

around. And it almost worked.”

all the while striving for the Olympic Games.

more medals began to roll in.

Post Olympics there was an outpouring of sup-

“Kaspers (Sanita’s husband) would be up to

“I think I could have delivered earlier if I would

port from family, friends, fans, and the wider

his eyeballs, while I was away playing with the

have believed in myself a little bit more.

sporting community.

oars on the water. There were a few years where

When you win once it’s fine. Everyone’s so hap-

“The messages pulled me out of the miserable

financially we were in a tough situation.”

py, surprised, and excited. Then you race again

state that I was in. I know what I have done for

“We had to decide whether we were going to put

and there’s that expectation. Everyone so badly

Rowing Ireland, but I also can’t quite appreci-

on to what I had, still hoping that I could turn it

food on the table or petrol in the car so I could

ate that myself yet, because the hurt is too raw

get to the lake to row.”

from the Olympics.”

“We got through it, and it made us appreciate what we have now.”

Competing on the world stage Pušpure began racking up medals, but what accompanied her apparent superhuman efforts was the suppression of the mental anguish of balancing family life and racing with the best in the world.

“ I think I could have delivered earlier if I would have believed in myself a little bit more.”

And the inevitable question of retirement?

“I’m not retiring just yet”.

“I’m finding it really hard to silence that athlete in me. I need a couple of months to unwind, heal mentally and physically and decide what’s next. We’ll see. Regardless, family comes first with rowing a close second.”

29

The Olympics Rewind Tokyo will be an unforgettable Games for Team Ireland thanks, in large part, to our female stars who lit up the biggest show on earth.

Kellie Harrington GOLD Kellie Harrington became only the third Irish person in history to claim an Olympic boxing gold medal after she defeated Brazil’s Beatriz Ferreira in the final of the lightweight division. The Dubliner went into the Games ranked as the top seed after she won gold at the final Olympic qualifying event in Paris a few months earlier. Harrington, who became World Champion in 2018, defeated Ferreira in an epic bout which saw her win 3-2 on the judges

Team Ireland sent a record 116 athletes to the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. There was a record 55 Irish women competing in Tokyo 2020, across 15 different sports - a 116% increase from Rio 2016, where 26 female athletes competed.

scorecards and took home gold for Ireland.

Emily Hegarty, Fiona Murtagh, Eimear Lambe, Aifric Keogh BRONZE Ireland’s rowing four of Emily Hegarty, Fiona Murtagh, Eimear Lambe, Aifric Keogh became history makers as they powered home to bronze in Tokyo. Remarkably, this crew combination has only been rowing together since late 2019. A few months after being put together, they had their first major breakthrough as they won bronze at the European Rowing Championships in Poznan. A year later they went on to better that result as they came home from the 2021 European Rowing Championships in Varese with silver.

30

80%

116 Kellie Harrington won 16 out of her 20 rounds at the Olympic Games where she claimed gold in the Lightweight category - a phenomenal 80% success rate. Harrington has won 74 out of her 92 amateur bouts.

IRISH WOMEN’S MEDAL HAUL AT THE OLYMPICS

1956

Maeve Kyle was the first female representative for Ireland at the

GOLD MEDAL

Olympic Games. Kyle represented

■ Kellie Harrington

Boxing

Team Ireland in Melbourne in 1956,

■ Katie Taylor

Boxing

London 2012

Rome in 1960 and Tokyo in 1964

■ Michelle Smith

Swimming

Atlanta 1996

blazing a trail for the 55 Irish wom-

■ Michelle Smith

Swimming

Atlanta 1996

en who would compete in the Toyko

■ Michelle Smith

Swimming

Atlanta 1996

Sailing

Rio 2016

Games, 57 years later.

Tokyo 2020

SILVER ■ Annalise Murphy

■ Sonia O’Sullivan Athletics Sydney 2000

Sonia O’Sullivan, Katie Taylor and Kellie Harrington are the three Irish sportswomen to bear the Irish flag at the Opening Ceremony at the Olympic Games

Aifric Keogh, Eimear Lambe, Fiona Murtagh and Emily Hegarty became the first Irish female rowing crew to ever medal at the Olympic Games.

1st

BRONZE ■ Aifric Keogh

Rowing

Tokyo 2020

■ Eimear Lambe

Rowing

Tokyo 2020

■ Fiona Murtagh

Rowing

Tokyo 2020

■ Emily Hegarty

Rowing

Tokyo 2020

■ Michelle Smith

Swimming

Atlanta 1996

15:15.80

Sonia O’Sullivan is the only Irish wom-

an to hold an Olympic record which she set in the semi-final of the 5000M in 1996 (15:15.80)

1896

Women weren’t allowed to compete at the first modern Olympic Games in 1896

31

The Paralympics Rewind Team Ireland have continued their exceptional record of medal hauls at the Paralympic Games having competed at every games since the very first in 1960.

13

Katie-George Dunlevy & Eve McCrystal 2X GOLD, SILVER

represented

a lifetime best of 1:19.93 to storm to victory against 15x

Ellen Keane

Ireland at her very first Paralympics in Beijing 2008 where she became the youngest ever Irish athlete to compete at the Games, aged just 13-years old. Four years later, she won bronze in Rio 2016. In Tokyo, Keane realised her dream as she became Paralympic Champion.

Eve McCrystal and Katie-George Dunlevy are undisputedly two of the finest tandem cyclists Ireland have ever produced. At the Tokyo Paralympic Games, the dynamic duo secured two gold medals and a silver to take their overall Paralympic medal tally to five.

After joining forces in 2013, the pair have conquered the world together and now boast six World Championship gold medals, four silver and two bronze.

Ellen Keane GOLD Clontarf swimmer Ellen Keane realised her lifelong Paralympic dream as she shattered her personal-best to claim gold in the SB8 100m breaststroke. Keane swam Paralympic medal winner, Sophie Pascoe.

Despite being just 26-years old, Keane was competing in her fourth Games, having made her debut in Beijing 2008.

In Rio 2016, she went on to claim bronze in the SB8 100m breaststroke. Keane also boasts gold from the 2018 World European Para-Swim Championships which took place in Dublin.

Nicole Turner SILVER Portarlington’s Nicole Turner returned home from Tokyo a Paralympic silver medallist after producing the swim of her life in the S6 50m butterfly event. Turner holds a medal collection that most can only dream of.

She has been competing for Ireland on the international stage since she was 12-years old and made her Games debut in Rio 2016 where she reached five finals.

Now 19, Turner reached the final of all three of her events in Tokyo but perhaps more significantly, she got her hands on that sought after podium position.

32

1960 Joan Horan became the first Irish

paralympic athlete and the first Irish woman to compete in the Paralympic Games. She picked up two gold medals in two different sports

27

41

49

Medal History At The Paralympics

6

Rosaleen Gallagher is

Ireland’s most successful Paralympian in individual

18 4 Katie George Dunlevy and Eve McCrystal were the most successful of the Irish team at the Paralympic Games.

Of the seven medals taken by Irish athletes in Tokyo, four of those were secured by the para-cyclists

events.

The discuss throw has been Team Ireland’s most lucrative event in terms of medal hauls. Ireland’s sportswomen have totaled 18 medals in this event.

She represented Ireland at six different Paralympic Games, winning medals in athletics, table tennis, swimming and archery

33

Orlagh Farmer is on a mission to keep girls in sport. As a player Orlagh is a six-time TG4 AllIreland Senior Ladies Football Championship winner with Cork. She is also a coach, qualified PE Teacher, lecturer and recently completed a PhD focusing primarily on the reason why so many girls drop out of sport at an early age

P O T S

DR

e h t

By Grace Wynne

O

rlagh Farmer’s research, along with the profile she enjoys as a top footballer, has helped to keep the spotlight on the many challenges ahead in maintaining participation and promoting a positive environment for young girls in sport. It’s a complex and varied issue but Farmer has made strides by focusing on ways in which coaches, teachers and parents can help to break down some of the barriers.

“First and foremost, it’s a societal and historical thing,” she says. “From a young age, boys are exposed to more opportunities to embrace the fear ele-

Orlagh Farmer and referee

ment and throw themselves into things,

Niall McCormack in action

whereas, with girls we tend to have a surplus

at Croke Park.

safety approach that goes against developing

PHOTO

positive habits and attitudes towards physical

Stephen McCarthy/

activity and sports.”

Sportsfile

34

Farmer also identified challenges in relation to the mindset of young girls when it comes to trying sports or taking part in sporting activities.

This she refers to as the psycho-social element, where girls have an overriding concern about not being good enough or not fitting in.

“What I was seeing is many girls starting from a point of lacking confidence, a strong enough sense of self-worth or self-efficacy. That sense of not being good enough compared to their friends means that, even though physically they are well capable, it’s the psycho-social side that creates the barrier.”

While it’s a well held belief that sport should first and foremost be fun, and while Farmer subscribes to that, she also points out that “fun” can be difficult to define.

“Fun is quite an elusive term. It’s very broad so it becomes about educating coaches, parents, and teachers, and even players about what fun actually means. People seem to separate having fun versus being competitive. They seem to forget that it can be fun to win as well. In reality its about finding a balance between having fun, having a laugh at training, the craic on the journey to a match and also being competitive when you go out to play. Striking that balance is how you start to create a positive culture within a group.”

P RO

When it comes to building good culture, Farmer had the benefit of learning from one of the best, Eamonn Ryan. A stalwart of Cork GAA, Ryan achieved huge success with his teams over the years including 10 All-Ireland titles with the Cork Ladies Footballers. Eamonn Ryan sadly passed away early in 2021. Farmer paid tribute to her former mentor and coach.

“He was more than just a coach for 60 minutes at training. He was almost like a life coach in one sense, like a father figure for the girls.

We respected him and he respected us. He made it a collaboration and cultivated that sense of belonging and connectedness.

“He didn’t view you differently if you had six All-Ireland medals or if you had no medals, there was never any judgement or pressure, it was just really about ‘trust yourself and your ability and go out and express yourself.’

“I’m very grateful to have had him as a coach and I think that he is the perfect example of getting the best out of all his players and cultivating that confidence and positive culture. He was some man for one man.”

Farmer recalls the 2014 All-Ireland final as an example of what happens when there’s a healthy culture within a group. On that day, Cork found themselves 10 points behind an in-form Dublin team. With only 14 minutes remaining, Cork set about overhauling that deficit and beat Dublin by a point to claim another Championship.

“I just remember that collective effort. Coming back from the impossible. There was just a desire, willing and wanting to win for each other. That was very much down to the environment Eamonn Ryan had created.”

Farmer believes we need more such inspirational stories and visible female role models within our sports if societal change is to happen.

“I remember joining panels at a young age. The older girls were role models to us in terms of buying into that culture. I idolised those players and it helped my motivation too. Now I’m one of the older players trying to help the younger girls so it becomes like a conveyor belt. So, I do think that we need more female role models, just the presence of them, not just in clubs, but in schools and at grassroots level. That visibility can be a massive thing for young girls.

“I think we saw that with the 20x20 campaign as well, over the last year or two, just having that recognition and that coverage and that support from female role models was fantastic. Girls need to be able say, ‘I want to be like her someday’.”

As role models go, Orlagh Farmer’s certainly one to emulate.

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CROSSWORD 1

Across 3. Number of Paralympic Games Ellen Keane has

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competed at 4. First name of Ireland’s most decorated Olympian

3

4

5. What city will host the 2021 European Cross Country?

6. Length of Olympic sized swimming pool (metres)

5

9. Meath player to score only goal in 2021 All-Ireland football final

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7

10. Fastest ever Irish woman to run 110m hurdles 12.

How long is a marathon? (nearest km)

8

14. The women’s equivalent of the Ryder Cup 16. The only Olympic sport with an upper age limit

9

19. In 2002 Winter Olympics, Russia and what country were both awarded gold medals following controversy in the pairs ice-skating competition?

10

11

20. What event did Jessica Ennis-Hill compete in?

21. In what Olympic sport can you “catch a crab”?

Down

12

13

1. Last name of first female athlete to represent Ireland at the Olympics

14

15

2. Last name of athlete with most Tennis Grand Slams

16

17

3. Modern Pentathlon includes swimming, shooting, equestrian,

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running and _____ 7. First name of Ireland’s first female Olympic diver 8. Winners of 2021 All-Ireland Camogie final 10. Ciara Mageean’s home county

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11. What company is the main sponsor of the LGFA? 13. First name of highest goal scorer for Irish Women’s National Soccer Team

20

15. What sport is the Fosbury Flop technique used?

17. Full name of Irish Women’s National Soccer Team manager 18. How many professional fights has Katie Taylor

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won?

ASK THE EXPERT #ASKTHEEXPERT

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HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT RUNNING? SEND THEM TO US AND OUR EXPERT WILL ANSWER AS MANY AS WE CAN IN THE NEXT ISSUE!

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c i p o t A aboo? t o to

. en. eriods m o p re w ience d a n r s n atio n expe ed a that i l u m g o a op e p pulati el ash ethin h t o of som n fe ep 50% of th wome iscuss 50% hy do ed to d w s So arras ral? b u em nat % 100

T

wice as many girls drop out of sport as boys by the

Top Tips For Coaches & Clubs:

age of 14; right around the time most girls start to experience their period. The Period Panel discusses

■ Include a selection of sanitary products in the bath-

rooms/changing rooms of your club.

all things related to the menstrual cycle, to help

■ Break down barriers on periods within your club. If

educate and break down those barriers for women, and for men. It will feature advice and experiences

you’re not comfortable speaking about it, maybe there

from athletes, expert knowledge and more.

is a liason within your club who can help. If not, invite a guest speaker in to educate and discuss.

■ Help to educate your athletes (whatever their age)

on the menstrual cycle. Young teenagers need to be equipped with knowledge on how to manage their pe-

Top Tips For Athletes:

riod, who to speak to if they have questions. Older ath-

■ Always be over prepared - have spare pads, tampons,

letes may need help in understanding how to manage

underwear, shorts in your kit bag. If you or your

their cycle for best performance and injury prevention.

teammates’ period arrives unexpectedly, there’s no need to panic!

■ Track your cycle - whether using a physical diary, cal-

endar on your phone or one of the many apps, it will help you to predict your period, understand your body during different phases of your cycle and identify if anything unusual is happening.

■ Don’t be disheartened if you don’t always feel or

perform to 100% - your body experiences different things during different phases of your cycle.

■ Speak to your peers - you can learn and help each

Top Tips For Parents: ■ If you have a young athlete at home, make them feel comfortable in discussing their period. It’s a normal part of life and that’s how they should feel.

■ Educate them on the available sanitary products,

from pads to tampons, reusable period pants and more.

■ Instill confidence in them, that they can participate

other. Speak to coaches - this can create more

in sport and have a period. Depending on the sport,

understanding of your training.

help them figure out what they may need and how to

■ Don’t overthink or complicate it! It’s great to equip

yourself with knowledge, but don’t dwell on it too

manage it during training and competition.

■ Nutrition, hydration and sleep are hugely important.

much. Some athletes have their best performances during their period!

Got some questions or advice: Let us know! mailbox@hersport.ie

37

COLOURING COMPETITION

Colour your way to a new Apple iPad Her Sport has teamed up with Allianz Insurance to offer one lucky reader a fantastic prize of a brand new Ipad.

To enter please go to hersport.ie/activities/ and download the image of Ireland’s Gold Medal hero Ellen Keane. Colour in the picture and sent a picture or your work of art back to hello@hersport.ie.

The winner will be selected by a panel of judges from Her Sport and Allianz

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A PLAYER & A HALF DESERVES

A GLASS & A HALF OF SUPPORT

OFFICIAL SNACK PARTNER OF THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND WOMEN’S NATIONAL TEAM OFFICIAL SNACK PARTNER OF THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND WOMEN’S FOOTBALL TEAM

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