Photo: Senator Alison Comyn holding the Sam Maguire Cup in Croke Park
Senator Alison Comyn has welcomed the Government’s record €4 million investment in the Women in Sport Programme for 2026, saying it will create more opportunities for girls and women to participate, compete, and lead in sport. The funding will support National Governing Bodies and Local Sports Partnerships in increasing female participation, developing co
Senator Comyn said:
“Every girl who pulls on a jersey should know she belongs there. This investment is about making sure more girls stay in sport, more women lead in sport, and nobody feels that sport isn’t for them.”
“We’ve made real progress, with almost half of women now taking part in sport every week, but we know one of our biggest challenges remains keeping teenage girls involved. Too many drift away from sport during those crucial years, and we need to understand why and remove those barriers.”
“That means making sport welcoming, accessible and affordable. It also means ensuring girls can see women succeeding, whether that’s on the pitch, on the sidelines as coaches and officials, or around the boardroom table helping shape the future of sport.”
“This investment is about much more than funding programmes. It’s about investing in confidence, health, wellbeing and opportunity. It’s about ensuring the next generation of girls grows up believing there is a place for them in every sport, at every level.”
Senator Comyn said local sports clubs, volunteers and coaches are at the heart of communities across Ireland and will play a vital role in ensuring this investment reaches the women and girls who will benefit most.
“When we invest in women and girls in sport, everybody wins. We build stronger clubs, healthier communities and a future where every girl has the confidence to step onto a pitch, into a sports hall or onto a running track knowing she belongs there.
