It is a pleasure to mark the launch of Women in Sport Week 2026, an important moment in our calendar and an opportunity to celebrate, reflect, and recommit to the women and girls who shape our sport every day.

Women in Sport Week, led by Sport Ireland and aligned with International Women’s Day, shines a light on the achievements, contributions, and leadership of women across all areas of sport. It also reminds us that while much progress has been made, there is still important work to do to ensure that sport is truly inclusive, supportive, and equitable.

This year’s theme is “Same Energy.”

It is a powerful and important call to action. It challenges all of us—administrators, coaches, volunteers, athletes, and supporters—to ask whether we are bringing the same energy, visibility, and commitment to women’s sport as we do to men’s sport. It asks us to reflect on how we allocate resources, how we promote events, how we support athletes, and how we value women’s contributions at every level.

But it also invites us, here in Rowing Ireland, to reflect more deeply on what energy really means.

Because the truth is, women in sport have never lacked energy.

Women in rowing have always shown up. They have shown up early in the morning to train on cold lakes, rivers and shores. They have shown up after long days of work, study, or caring for others. They have shown up in environments where they were sometimes the minority. They have shown up even when pathways were unclear, when opportunities were fewer, and when recognition was not always equal.

And in doing so, they have brought not just the same energy—but extraordinary energy.

They have brought resilience. They have brought persistence. They have brought leadership. And they have brought a quiet determination that has strengthened our clubs, our communities, and our organisation.

So for Rowing Ireland, this week is not only about matching energy. It is about recognising the energy that women have always brought. It is about valuing their journeys, understanding their experiences, and ensuring that the systems around them fully support their ambitions.

It is also about visibility.

Visibility matters because you cannot become what you cannot see. When women see female athletes competing, coaching, officiating, and leading, it expands what feels possible. It shows the next generation that they belong here, that their ambitions are valid, and that their voices matter.

We are proud of the women across Irish rowing—our athletes who represent us on the international stage, our coaches who guide and develop talent, our volunteers who sustain our clubs, and our leaders who help shape the future of the sport.

But pride alone is not enough. Our responsibility is to continue creating an environment where women and girls feel welcomed, supported, and empowered—not as an exception, but as a fundamental and valued part of our sport.

This week, we celebrate the women who have paved the way. We recognise those who are contributing today. And we commit to those who will follow.

To every woman and girl in rowing: your presence matters. Your effort matters. Your voice matters. And your energy—your unique, powerful energy—is helping shape the future of our sport.

Let this week be a celebration, but also a reminder of our shared responsibility. Because when women thrive in sport, sport itself becomes stronger and whole. 

A few highlights of the week’s activities can be read below. Be sure to follow along, like and share.

  • Our Club Social media competition closes on Wednesday the 4th of March at 11.59pm, we will be sharing the winning video aswell as the runner up club
  • Interviews with athletes, leaders and volunteers in rowing
  • We will be sharing updates on our participation initiatives and leadership programmes
  • We will be live at some Indoor Rowing events taking place throughout the week across the country

How can your club get involved?

If you haven’t entered the club social media competition, then do so if you wish at the following link: Club Competition! Women in Sport Week Social Media Challenge 2026 – Rowing Ireland

You can also get involved by celebrating your female members on your club social media pages.

Please share your individual and club reflections this week, using the hashtags #SameEnergy #womeninsportIRE and tag Rowing Ireland