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.

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