Women Moving Rowing Forward
Rowing Ireland is delighted to announce the first cohort of Boat Movers – our new Women in Sport Ambassador Programme, bringing together women from across the rowing community to connect, inspire and lead positive change within the sport.
Following a strong response to the programme’s first call for applications, ten women have been selected to become the inaugural Boat Movers ambassadors.
The programme recognises that leadership in rowing takes many forms. The first cohort brings together women with experience across coaching, volunteering, club leadership, competitive rowing, masters and recreational rowing, with each bringing their own perspective on how we can make rowing a welcoming and positive sport for more women and girls.
President of the Board of Rowing Ireland, Jane Williams had this to say: ”Women’s leadership is important. Women already contribute significantly at every level in rowing. In my experience, across sports, having a culture and structures that are open to and value women’s leadership capabilities and perspectives, makes a real difference. Ambassadors open pathways and create connections that enable greater impact. A warm welcome to the diverse group of women in the inaugural programme. Enjoy the programme and be energised by your results over the coming year.”
Meet the 2026 Boat Movers
Shauna Murtagh – Neptune Rowing Club, Dublin
Shauna brings experience as a rower and coach and is particularly interested in strengthening connections between junior and senior women, creating opportunities for mentoring and supporting women through different stages of their rowing journey.
Beth Cotter – Lee Valley Rowing Club, Cork
Beth has extensive experience across club volunteering, regatta organisation and leadership. Through Boat Movers, she is interested in creating more opportunities for women to take on visible roles across rowing, including officiating, events and decision-making.
Emma Gaughan – Tullaghan Bay Rowing Club, Mayo
Having discovered rowing later in life, Emma has experienced first-hand the confidence, purpose and sense of belonging the sport can provide. As a coach and club leader, she is passionate about developing others and helping younger women build their own confidence and leadership skills.
Jane O’Brien – Kenmare Rowing & Boating Club, Kerry
Jane is Chair of Kenmare Rowing & Boating Club and a Level 1 coach. Having already helped deliver successful Women on the Water programmes, she is passionate about creating opportunities that help women progress from their first experience of rowing into long-term participation.
Cora Hackett – Sligo Rowing Club, Sligo
Cora’s own experience of leaving rowing and later returning to a more welcoming environment has shaped her interest in belonging and retention. She hopes to help new participants feel connected from the beginning through initiatives including beginner opportunities and a buddy system.
Johanna Downey – Lee Valley Rowing Club, Cork
Johanna brings experience across rowing, coaching, volunteering, club and regatta involvement, alongside professional leadership experience. She is particularly interested in understanding what women need from their sporting experience and supporting their wider wellbeing.
Louise O’Rahilly – Shandon Boat Club, Cork
As a coach of junior girls, Louise is passionate about improving the experience of teenage girls in rowing. She is particularly interested in mentoring, inclusion and creating stronger connections between older junior rowers and girls beginning their rowing journey.
Ciara Leahy – Cork Boat Club, Cork
Ciara brings experience as both an athlete and coach and is passionate about the role female coaches and athletes can play as visible role models. She hopes to create welcoming opportunities for more girls to experience rowing and see the different pathways available within the sport.
Siobhan Lordan – Kilmacsimon Swimming & Rowing Club, Cork
An athlete and coach, Siobhan is passionate about showing that there is no single pathway through rowing. Her idea, “Different Paths, Same Sport,” aims to share the experiences of women across rowing and help more girls and women see a place for themselves within the sport.
Suzanne McCoy – Lagan Scullers, Antrim
Suzanne brings an important masters and recreational rowing perspective to Boat Movers. She is passionate about creating accessible opportunities for women to participate in rowing throughout life and supporting environments where women can enjoy the sporting, social and wellbeing benefits of being on the water.
Making One Positive Move
Over the coming year, the ambassadors will take part in leadership development, networking and learning opportunities while connecting with women from rowing clubs across Ireland.
Each Boat Mover will also be encouraged to make one positive move for women in rowing within their own club or community.
These initiatives might involve introducing new women to rowing, supporting teenage girls, developing mentoring opportunities, improving the experience of recreational rowers, increasing the visibility of female role models or helping women progress into coaching, officiating and leadership.
No initiative is too small – every action can help move the sport forward.
The programme will begin with an in-person development and networking weekend, followed by ongoing support and opportunities for the ambassadors to learn from one another and share their work throughout the year.
Boat Movers forms part of Rowing Ireland’s ongoing Women in Sport programme, supporting increased participation, leadership and visibility for women and girls throughout rowing.
We look forward to introducing our Boat Movers over the coming months and following the positive moves they make within their clubs and communities.
For any queries about Women in Sport programmes contact Ceara at womeninsport@rowingireland.ie
