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Tag: Club Culture

Ceara O'Connor

Women In Sport

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The next Club Culture Workshop is on April 18th. Read more to sign up if your club hasn’t engaged in this exciting opportunity yet. If you have already engaged, we will email you a zoom link and reminder.

In January, Rowing Ireland announced the launch of the Club Culture Toolkit. This toolkit aims to assist clubs to achieve a great club culture and improve gender equality through a 12 step process. Since then we have run workshops to help your club facilitation of implementing the toolkit. Each workshop is different so its important to engage with each one.

This toolkit was designed through a process of research with the membership of Rowing Ireland via a survey of over 1150 members including junior rowers, masters rowers, senior rowers, coaches and committee members. The results highlighted gaps between the genders in terms of perceptions and attitudes. Positive club culture and gender equality practices are essential for progressive Rowing Ireland clubs.

A series of invaluable workshops will be held to support clubs through the process. These will be led by the women in sport officer and expert external facilitator Dave Denieffe. 

What your club needs to do next: Choose a club culture champion – someone from the committee who will attend the workshops and be able to feedback everything they learn to support your club development.

  • January 17th information session
  • February 21st 
  • April 18th (Sign Up BELOW) 7.00pm-9.00pm
  • September 5th 
  • November 21st 

This is what Rowing Ireland President, Neville Maxwell had to say: 

“I’m delighted to champion this project which holds tremendous value for clubs to get involved with. The clubs that get involved will be able to avail of development support in the toolkit workshops that will lift their club to new heights. Make sure you appoint a club culture champion within your club and get signed up to the February workshop to start the journey for your club.” 

The research project began in November 2021 after a successful application to the innovative research scheme by Sport Ireland and Healthy Ireland in the Sport Ireland Research Strategy 2021. Rowing Ireland worked together with Leading Sport Agency on this project to lead the research and the project was completed in November 2022. 

A series of workshops supporting clubs in implementation and use of the toolkit will take place throughout 2023, with the Rowing Ireland Women in Sport officer, Ceara O’Connor, and facilitator and sports governance expert Dave Denieffe Vice-President, Academic Affairs at South East Technological University and Club Development specialist. 

A full research report accompanying the toolkit can be downloaded below.

Club Culture September and November Workshops

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Ceara O'Connor

Women In Sport

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Today’s focus as part of Women in Sport Week looks at women in Leadership and Governance. Read more below about our exciting new leadership course with Sarah O’Shea and an opportunity to get involved at board level governance.

We have two exciting and important opportunities below for women to grow and become more involved in leadership and governance in rowing, from grassroots to board level. First, we have a new Leadership Programme for 12 participants selected via application process and secondly, we have spaces for Independent Directors and would welcome female applicants.

Women in Leadership

The Women in Sport Leadership course, run by Lisa Clancy and Sarah O’Shea, has seen over 270 women take part since its commencement in 2020 and many of the course graduates have gone on to chair committees, get jobs in sport, be elected to board positions, be elected to European sport committees and a range of other local and national successes.

This is a fantastic opportunity for females working in leadership roles or those aspiring to be a leader within their Rowing Ireland club and regions e.g. committee members, umpires, coaches etc.

6 participants from Rowing Ireland have already undertaken the course. Our 2022 participants:

–Shauna Fitzsimons of UCD BC (UCD Captain and Chair of the University Championships Committee, Student Sport Ireland Leadership Award winner 2022)

–Margaurite Deasy of Ring RC. (Club Leadership Mentor 2022, Offshore Committee Chair 2022, Team Manager of the Irish Beach Sprints Team at the World Rowing Beach Sprints finals (WRBSF) as well as Chair of the Irish Offshore Rowing Championships.)

Mary Moore of Garda Siochana Boat Club. (First female Captain of Garda Siochana Boat Club. Supported the development of the first Junior Program at the club.)

This highly successful course is an extremely rewarding, informative and enabling programme.   The course is fully interactive and participants are provided with an insight to all facets of leadership through a series of 5 online and 1 in person session.  Participants are encouraged to fully immerse themselves in the course which is designed to build confidence and enable participants to have a great connection with each other establishing valuable network of powerful women. This course is suitable for all female club leaders or aspiring club leaders such as committee members, coaches and other volunteers.

Course Content

The course modules include the following core topics:

·  Leadership and Values

·  Networking and Collaboration

·  Challenge and Resilience

·  Crisis Management 

·  Communications and Developing Your Personal Brand

·  Influencing and Change 

·  Governance

Participants will also receive a one-on-one coaching session and guidance in producing their own Personal Development Plan.

Modules will also include inputs from 4 guest speakers relating their own personal leadership experiences.

Dates (you should be available to attend all sessions):

  • April 17th and 24th (Monday evenings) from 7pm-8.30pm online via zoom
  • May 1st, 8th and 15th (Monday evenings) from 7pm-8.30pm online via zoom

and Sunday 21st May  (11am-2.30pm in person / Dublin Location TBC)

To apply please fill in the form below. There is a poster attached to circulate to any women in your club who may be interested.

2023 Women in Leadership Course

Independent Directors on the Board of Rowing Ireland

We have two vacancies on the Board of Rowing Ireland in 2023. This is an inspiring time for the sport, particularly with Paris 2024 fast approaching. As an Independent Director, you will have the opportunity to shape the future of our sports organisation and make a real impact. You will work closely with the rest of the Board to develop strategies, set goals, and make critical decisions that will shape the organisation’s direction. Our vision is “Spearheading excellence, strong clubs and rowing for life.”

The Board has identified a need for the following skills:

Accounting / Financial Management

Legal / Company Law

Communications / Commercial / PR

We would prefer that each Director have at least one of the above skills.

The Board of Rowing Ireland shall comprise at least 40% of each gender among the directors, and any committees shall endeavour to reach a similar composition. We encourage applications from every community, particularly those currently under-represented. We run a comprehensive induction process for all new Board members.

We are looking for applicants who are independent of our sport, perhaps even unfamiliar with our sport, who will join a Board and enable us to collectively question, challenge and discern to make better decisions. We seek applicants with strong leadership skills and a commitment to excellence. Whether or not you have experience in sports management, business, or a related field, we encourage you to apply.

The current Board comprises 9 Directors and is led by the Chair. Within the Board is a Board range of skills and experiences.

Our current Board members can be seen on our website

Our Board

Expected Commitment

  • The Board meets approximately six times a year, on a Saturday or Sunday and holds additional meetings as the situation requires. 
  • Meetings usually occur at Sport HQ in Blanchardstown, Dublin, at 9:30 am. 
  • Occasionally, meetings are held at alternative locations around the island of Ireland. 
  • Expenses are reimbursed per our Travel & Subsistence Policy (which will be made available upon request to applicants shortlisted for interview).
  • You will be required to complete Induction Training as arranged by or provided by Rowing Ireland.
  • You should be prepared to spend at least two days per month on company business after the induction phase.
  • Independent Directors are expected to join and participate in one or more Committees. 
  • Successful applicants will be Garda Vetted before formally joining the Board.
  • The term is three years.

This is a unique opportunity to make a difference in the world of sports and contribute to our organisation’s growth and great success.

If you are interested in joining our Board as an Independent Director, please submit your cv and a cover letter outlining your qualifications and experience to Valerie at nominations@rowingireland.ie.  By 5:00 pm on 10th March 2023

We look forward to hearing from you.

Interviews will be held during the week beginning 20th March 2023

For an informal conversation on the role with any Board member or the CEO, please email the Chairperson, Martin Hogan, at chair@rowingIreland.ie

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Ceara O'Connor

Women In Sport

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In January 2023, Rowing Ireland released its Club Culture Toolkit. This Tuesday February 21st we hosted the first of a series of supporting workshops to guide clubs in their implementation of the toolkit.

In this series of workshops which are freely available to clubs, expert external facilitator Dave Denieffe will work through different club development topics to support clubs to use the toolkit and develop their club in a variety of ways. The initial workshop focused on aspects such as club vision and values as well as leadership and governance. The workshops include learning portions as well as interactive elements.

Your club can still access the next workshop which will move onto another topic but you can still join now. If you have attended the previous session you are now signed up for all future sessions and don’t need to reregister, we will email you reminders closer to the April date.

Any queries on the toolkit which is available for download below can be made to womeninsport@rowingireland.ie

Club Culture September and November Workshops

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Ceara O'Connor

Women In Sport

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In January, Rowing Ireland announced the launch of the Club Culture Toolkit. This toolkit aims to assist clubs to achieve a great club culture and improve gender equality through a 12 step process. 

This toolkit was designed through a process of research with the membership of Rowing Ireland via a survey of over 1150 members including junior rowers, masters rowers, senior rowers, coaches and committee members. The results highlighted gaps between the genders in terms of perceptions and attitudes. Positive club culture and gender equality practices are essential for progressive Rowing Ireland clubs.

A series of invaluable workshops will be held to support clubs through the process. These will be led by the women in sport officer and expert external facilitator Dave Denieffe. 

What your club needs to do next: Choose a club culture champion – someone from the committee who will attend the workshops and be able to feedback everything they learn to support your club development.

  • January 17th information session
  • February 21st 
  • April 18th 
  • September 5th (Sign Up BELOW) 7.00pm-8.30pm
  • November 21st 

This is what Rowing Ireland President, Neville Maxwell had to say: 

“I’m delighted to champion this project which holds tremendous value for clubs to get involved with. The clubs that get involved will be able to avail of development support in the toolkit workshops that will lift their club to new heights. Make sure you appoint a club culture champion within your club and get signed up to the February workshop to start the journey for your club.” 

The research project began in November 2021 after a successful application to the innovative research scheme by Sport Ireland and Healthy Ireland in the Sport Ireland Research Strategy 2021. Rowing Ireland worked together with Leading Sport Agency on this project to lead the research and the project was completed in November 2022. 

A series of workshops supporting clubs in implementation and use of the toolkit will take place throughout 2023, with the Rowing Ireland Women in Sport officer, Ceara O’Connor, and facilitator and sports governance expert Dave Denieffe Vice-President, Academic Affairs at South East Technological University and Club Development specialist. 

A full research report accompanying the toolkit can be downloaded below.

Club Culture September and November Workshops

Downloads

Ceara O'Connor

Women In Sport

Share

Rowing Ireland are delighted to announce the launch of the Club Culture Toolkit. This toolkit aims to assist clubs to achieve a great club culture and improve gender equality through a 12 step process. 

This toolkit was designed through a process of research with the membership of Rowing Ireland via a survey of over 1150 members including junior rowers, masters rowers, senior rowers, coaches and committee members. The results highlighted gaps between the genders in terms of perceptions and attitudes. Positive club culture and gender equality practices are essential for progressive Rowing Ireland clubs.

A series of workshops will be held to support clubs through the process. These will be led by the women in sport officer and expert external facilitator Dave Denieffe. 

  • January 17th information session
  • February 21st 
  • April 18th 
  • September 5th (sign up HERE)
  • November 21st 

The research project began in November 2021 after a successful application to the innovative research scheme by Sport Ireland and Healthy Ireland in the Sport Ireland Research Strategy 2021. Rowing Ireland worked together with Leading Sport Agency on this project to lead the research and the project was completed in November 2022. 

A series of workshops supporting clubs in implementation and use of the toolkit will take place throughout 2023, with the Rowing Ireland Women in Sport officer, Ceara O’Connor, and facilitator and sports governance expert Dave Denieffe Vice-President, Academic Affairs at South East Technological University and Club Development specialist. Each workshop is different so attendance at each is important.

A full research report accompanying the toolkit can be downloaded below.

Michelle Carpenter, CEO of Rowing Ireland had this to say about the Club Culture Toolkit: 

‘’ Rowing Ireland are thrilled to have completed this significant project that will support our clubs. Thank you to everyone who took part and provided valuable insights. The vast array of our membership who took the time to input into this shows the importance for everyone involved in our clubs.

This toolkit will now support our clubs to develop their own club culture strategies and refresh their club culture. I am delighted that this initiative will further support our clubs by providing recommendations on how to influence culture and ensure greatest lifelong participation with the club and our sport. 

I want to thank Sport Ireland for once again supporting us in funding this exciting project under the Women in Sport initiative. A huge thank you to Ceara O’Connor who supported and took the lead in completing this project. Thank you also Claire Lambe who supported the project with the collaboration of Maeve Buckley. The findings of the project will provide great insight for our clubs as we strive to support them.

Funding came from Sport Ireland and Healthy Ireland in the Sport Ireland Research Strategy 2021. Rowing Ireland were successful in receiving funding from this research scheme. 

Nora Stapleton, Women in Sport Lead at Sport Ireland had this to say about the toolkit: ‘’ 

The Rowing Ireland Club Culture Research Project is one of the few projects of this nature to be delivered by an NGB but perhaps one of the most important. While the research analysis highlighted several positives within clubs, it also highlighted gaps between the genders in terms of perceptions and attitudes, particularly in relation to inequality perceived by female coaches and how they are treated, as well as females not feeling comfortable in providing honest feedback to the club leadership. Positive club culture and gender equality practices are essential for progressive clubs in Ireland today and Rowing Ireland have taken an innovative approach to addressing these issues. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed being part of this worthwhile project and I’m looking forward to seeing the toolkit being implemented across clubs in Ireland. I think this project has highlighted the value of conducting projects on your club culture and perhaps something other NGB’s might consider.

All this information has been emailed to Rowing Ireland club secretaries also. Any questions or queries can be directed to womeninsport@rowingireland.ie

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