Rowing Ireland High Performance Coach Denise Walshe has been selected to take part in the WISH (Women in Sport High Performance Pathway) Programme, an international leadership and development initiative designed to support female coaches working at the highest levels of sport.
Funded by IOC Olympic Solidarity and delivered in collaboration with international sporting federations and National Olympic Committees, the WISH programme aims to increase the number of women coaching at major events such as World Championships and the Olympic Games. The programme brings together female coaches from across the global sporting landscape to develop leadership skills, share experiences, and build strong professional networks.
As part of the programme, Denise recently attended a week-long residential workshop alongside 26 women coaches and leaders from a range of sports. The intensive week provided an opportunity for participants to learn together and exchange knowledge across disciplines, with collaboration proving to be one of the most valuable aspects of the experience.
“The value of cross-sport collaboration was huge,” Denise said. “With a full week together we had the chance to really get to know each other and have meaningful conversations about coaching and leadership.”
Throughout the week, participants engaged in a series of interactive workshops and discussions covering key areas relevant to high performance coaching. Topics included managing priorities, optimising relationships with stakeholders, communication skills, athlete care, and leadership development.
“We covered a wide range of topics and it was quite an intensive week, but I felt I learned a lot,” Denise explained. “The discussions looked at everything from grassroots sport right through to Olympic Games preparation, which provided a really valuable perspective on the entire athlete pathway.”
The WISH programme will continue over the coming months through a series of online leadership sessions, mentoring opportunities, and further professional development activities, supporting Denise and her fellow participants as they continue to develop their leadership and coaching capabilities.
Participation in programmes such as WISH plays an important role in strengthening the development of coaches within the Rowing Ireland High Performance system, while also contributing to the broader global effort to increase female representation in elite coaching and leadership roles.
