As part of Women in Sport Week, Rowing Ireland is proud to highlight the opportunities available for women and girls to develop as leaders within our sport. From youth representation and leadership development programmes to governance at board level, we are committed to creating clear and meaningful pathways that support women at every stage of their journey in rowing.

Strong leadership strengthens our clubs, broadens perspectives, and helps ensure that our sport continues to grow in a way that is inclusive, progressive, and representative of the communities we serve. By investing in leadership opportunities for women and girls, we are building a sustainable pipeline of future leaders for Irish rowing.

Youth Commission – Giving Young People a Voice

The Rowing Ireland Youth Commission provides an important platform for young people to contribute to the development of the sport. Through this group, young athletes have the opportunity to share their perspectives, represent the interests of their peers, and help shape initiatives that impact youth rowing across the country.

Participation in the Youth Commission allows members to develop valuable leadership skills, including communication, collaboration, and decision-making. It also provides early experience of governance structures and how national sporting organisations operate. For many young people, it represents the first step on a leadership pathway within rowing.

How to get involved: Applications are still being accepted until March 12th 2026. Apply HERE

Young Women in Leadership Programme

The Young Women in Leadership Programme focuses on supporting emerging female leaders within the rowing community. Designed for young women aged 16-21 who are involved in rowing as athletes, volunteers, or club members, the programme provides participants with practical leadership tools, mentorship, and the confidence to take on leadership roles within their clubs and beyond.

Through workshops facilitated by industry experts Move2Be, peer learning, and personal development opportunities, participants explore key leadership skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and self-belief. The programme encourages young women to see themselves not only as participants in the sport but as future decision-makers and role models.

By supporting leadership development at this stage, Rowing Ireland helps ensure that young women can progress confidently into positions of responsibility within their clubs, committees, and the wider rowing community.

How to get involved: The 2026 application process will be launched in early Summer 2026.

Women in Leadership Programme

The Women in Leadership Programme supports women who are already in leadership roles — or who aspire to step into them — across clubs, committees, and rowing organisations.

This programme focuses on developing the skills, knowledge, and networks that enable women to lead effectively within sporting environments. Participants engage in learning and discussion around topics such as governance, leadership styles, strategic thinking, and navigating challenges within leadership roles. This highly successful programme is facilitated by two powerhouses of leadership in sport – Sarah O’Shea and Lisa Clancy, who both have a wealth of experience and skill.

Just as importantly, the programme creates a supportive network of women across the rowing community who can share experiences, exchange ideas, and support one another as leaders within the sport.

How to get involved: The 2026 cohort has just begun, so the next available opportunity will be towards the end of 2026

A Connected Pathway for Leadership

These initiatives are not standalone programmes — they form part of a connected leadership pathway within Irish rowing.

Young people may first gain experience through the Youth Commission, developing confidence in representing their peers and contributing to decision-making. From there, participants may progress into the Young Women in Leadership Programme, where they further develop the skills and mindset needed to lead within their clubs and communities. As they continue their involvement in the sport, the Women in Leadership Programme supports them in stepping into more senior leadership roles and governance positions.

Together, these initiatives create a strong and sustainable pipeline of female leaders who will shape the future of Irish rowing. However, we are aware there is still more work to be done at the grassroots, regional and national levels to ensure systems, procedures and policies all reflect our aims to support women.

Commitment to Gender Balance in Governance

Rowing Ireland is committed to achieving and maintaining the gender representation targets set out by Sport Ireland, which aim to ensure that boards of national governing bodies have a minimum of 40% representation of women.

This commitment reflects our belief that balanced governance leads to stronger decision-making and more effective organisations. Ensuring that women are represented at the board level not only strengthens leadership within the sport but also demonstrates to the wider rowing community that women belong in positions of influence and authority.

By actively supporting leadership development and encouraging women to pursue governance roles, Rowing Ireland continues to work towards a leadership structure that reflects the diversity of the rowing community.

The Benefits for Clubs

Encouraging women to take part in leadership roles benefits rowing clubs in many ways:

  • Diverse leadership teams bring broader perspectives, stronger problem-solving, and more balanced decision-making.
  • Clubs that actively involve women in governance, coaching, and administration often benefit from increased collaboration, improved communication, and a more inclusive club culture.
  • Female leaders also play a vital role as visible role models for young athletes. When girls see women leading clubs, coaching crews, and shaping the sport’s direction, it reinforces the message that their ambitions — both on and off the water — are achievable.

Ultimately, strong female leadership helps clubs grow, thrive, and better reflect the communities they represent. To read a research-backed report on this, click HERE

Looking to the Future

Rowing Ireland remains committed to developing and supporting women as leaders at every level of the sport. By investing in leadership programmes, creating opportunities for young voices to be heard, and ensuring balanced governance, we are building a future where women have equal opportunity to influence, lead, and shape the direction of Irish rowing.

As we celebrate Women in Sport Week, we also celebrate the many women across Ireland who are already making a difference in our clubs, committees, and communities — and the next generation of leaders who will continue to move our sport forward.