Rachael Mulligan

Athlete Support Manager

Rachael is the Federation’s Athlete Support Manager, a role introduced to the Irish high-performance system in late 2024. Working primarily with athletes funded through Sport Ireland’s International Carding Scheme, Rachael provides a safe space for athletes to discuss any issues related to their sporting careers and receive independent and confidential advice and guidance.

Rachael collaborates with athletes and NGBs to establish and develop Athlete Representative Structures, ensuring the ‘athlete voice’ is effectively represented across the Irish high-performance system. Rachael is passionate about holistic development, supporting athletes as people alongside their performance goals to enhance their experiences both during and after their sporting careers.

Rachael holds a BSc in Sport Science and Health from Dublin City University and an MSc in Psychology from the University of Chester. She has extensive experience working across various NGBs in Irish Sport, particularly within high-performance environments. She is currently completing a Professional Doctorate at Dublin City University, where her research explores interpersonal conflict in high-performance sport.

If you are an athlete in receipt of International Carding Scheme funding and would like to receive one-to-one support, please contact Rachael at asm@irishsport.ie