Sep 25, 2019
Our International Sportswomen of the week in support of 20×20, goes to Canadian Alana Gattinger who is manages the Canadian team competing in this year’s Rugby world Cup in Japan. In doing so she becomes the first ever female manager to participate in the Mens RWC.
The 30-year-old served on Canada’s logistics team at the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England and it was there that she set a goal to one day become team manager at the global event, which this year runs from the 20th Sept until November 2nd.
Gattinger began as an intern with Rugby Canada in 2012 and worked in numerous roles before finally working her way up to manage the Canadian senior men’s team. She officially took on the role as team manager in 2017 when head coach Kingsley Jones was appointed, and all eyes turned towards qualifying for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
Speaking of her position Gattinger said “My goal from the very beginning was to learn as much as possible about the game and the players so I could anticipate what was needed when they’re on the pitch training, or in a game. A managers’ job at the end of the day is to make sure that the players and coaches can focus on the task at hand.”
Off the field, Gattinger handles team and staff logistics, operating as the liaison between the team, tournament officials and World Rugby on top of being responsible for all aspects of team travel and accommodation. Canada open their World Cup Pool B campaign against Italy in Fukuoka tomorrow, 26th September before meeting world champions New Zealand, South Africa and Namibia.
Speaking before the RWC Gattinger said ” I’m lucky that I work in Canada and live in a country where opportunities like this exist for women in sport. It’s a testament to our union and our country I am not treated any differently, and that’s exactly what I want. I hope this serves as an inspiration to young girls that anything is possible.”
Sep 23, 2019
Irish Sailing are the national governing body for sailing, power boating and windsurfing. Our aim is to develop, support and promote sailing in Ireland.
Gender blindness is one of the unsung attributes of sailing in Ireland. From a young age, boys and girls compete against each other in a mixed environment. Some of our top sailors are women, including 2016 Rio Olympics silver medallist Annalise Murphy. There’s always room for improvement though, and we know how important it is to keep women in sailing (and all sports) throughout the teenage years, and that’s one of the reasons why we support the 20×20 movement presented by the Federation of Irish Sport.
The first Irish Sailing Pathfinder Women at the Helm took place this August in the National Yacht Club, Dun Laoghaire, with 61 boats and well over 200 people taking part. The aim of the event was to encourage more women into positions of leadership on the water. We believe that their experiences as helms will have a direct effect on their life off the water – in terms of leadership, self-belief and reliance, independence and quick thinking. The event was a huge success and “All Female Crew” prize was won by The Lady Caroline, a J24 boat from Sligo Yacht Club. The team was helmed by Rachael O’Dwyer who said “we entered because we’ve all been sailing with mixed teams and we never get a chance to helm. We wanted to show everyone, and ourselves, what we can do”.
Check out the film from the event here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkDziTbGuL0
Sep 20, 2019
Nadia Power had a breakthrough track season in 2019, winning her first major medal when finishing third at the U23 European Athletics Championships in the 800m. The 21-year-old Dublin woman also set six personal best times in both the 800m and 1500m. Currently studying marketing in DCU she successfully combines study, work placement and training. A member of Templeogue athletic club this exciting athlete has plenty to look forward to in the years ahead.
20×20: Questions – Nadia Power
1. What’s your first memory of sport as a child?
My mom’s side of the family is from Kilkenny so watching Kilkenny hurling matches on TV
2. How did you first become involved in sport?
Being brought to my local GAA club St. Judes to the kids nursery to play camogie
3. What sports did you try as a child?
Just camogie, athletics and gymnastics. I also did ballet for 5 years
4. What decided you to settle on your chosen sport
Athletics gave me more opportunities than camogie as I was beginning to travel and represent my country. The idea of going to the Olympics was also something that excited me from a very young age, so I wanted to pursue that dream.
5. Who has had the most impact on your sporting career?
Probably my coaches. I achieved a lot with my first club coach but my current coach Enda Fitzpatrick has helped me find a new passion and drive for athletics and taken me to a new level in terms of times and being competitive internationally.
6. What female do you most admire in the world of sport?
Probably Laura Muir. I love how she races.
7. Outside of sport what do you do in your leisure time?
I like just relaxing and watching Netflix or going for food with friends.
8. What is the last movie you went to see? What is your favourite movie of all time?
I can’t remember the last tune U went to the cinema but my favourtie movie is the Pink Panter or else John Tucker Must Die.
9. What music do you listen to?
It’s between chart music and rap/hip-hop
10. Are you a reading fan? If so what are you currently reading?
I’m actually awful at sticking with a book and rarely finish one but at the moment reading Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins.
11. Do you follow any sports stars on social media? If so who?
Yes plenty, my favourite to follow is Emma Coburn
12. Forget about your sporting diet for a moment? Your favourite meal when you breakout?
A bacon and cheese burger, followed by a cheesecake
13. Who do you most admire in your own sport?
Luvo Manyonga, world long jump champion
14. Do you have a special ritual before competing?
Nothing too specific but I would always eat 4-3.5 hours before then snack again and a few minutes before my warm up. I always give myself an hour to warm up and listen to music and do the same drills.
15. Do you still play other sports for fun?
Unfortunately not but I watch a lot of GAA
16. What advice would you give to young girls & boys to encourage them to participate in sport?
Sort gives your life so much purpose, there is nothing as good as the feeling of setting a goal, working for it and achieving it. It is also a great way to make friends and step out of your comfort zone.
17. What has been your biggest sporting achievement?
My biggest achievement has been winning a European u23 bronze medal in the 800m this summer.
18. How do you cope with (a) injuries; (b) other setbacks?
For injuries, I focus on really following the advise of physios and am very consistent with doing any rehab that I am given. For setbacks, I just start working towards my goal again as soon as I can.
19. What do your family make of your success?
My family love watching me compete, especially my Mom who comes to all of my races. She is very proud of me and really enjoyed my success this year as she knows about all the bad days too.
20. What does sport mean to you?
Sport gives me so much purpose and a sense of identity in the world. It also shows what hard work and belief in yourself can achieve.
Check out the 20×20 Women in Sport Calendar for upcoming fixtures
https://20×20.ie/event-calendar/
Sep 18, 2019
Our International 20×20 Women in Sport Award this week goes to Norwegian golfer Suzann Pettersen who sunk the winning putt for Europe to triumph over USA in the biannual Solheim Cup between the two teams. There was so much to admire in the match which was truly inspirational for young and not so young women golfers everywhere. The two captains Catriona Matthew and Julie Inkster, both fine players over the years , had extended their involvement with their beloved sport through their team management roles. Both teams introduced new young players as first time Solheim Cup picks, the three day event was a huge advertisement for women’s golf and there was enough drama to ensure the event was watched by huge audiences across Europe and the United States, and then there was Suzann Pettersen.
The Norwegian has had a wonderful career in golf Winning 27 tournaments worldwide including two majors and reaching number two in the world on two occasions. Two years ago at the age of 36, she took time out to have a baby and then 20 months later she decided to play golf again. She did not qualify for the team but captain Catriona Matthews selected her as a wild card pick and what a great decision. After 27 games in the match the Americans only needed to halve the last game which was all square going to the last. Both Petersen and her opponent Marina Alex had birdie putts on the last green. Alex missed and with the whole outcome of the match hinging on Pettersen’s putt, up she stepped to hole an 8 footer for birdie and victory. Cue wild European celebrations. Take a bow Suzann!
Sep 16, 2019
The last year has been a great one for women in the sport of triathlon. Their top ranked female triathlete Carolyn Hayes is making waves by podiuming at several major international races as she chases Olympic qualification. A number of women’s triathlons have been introduced with more in the pipeline. The ‘Tri-gether’ women’s triathlon in Donegal saw over 100 women take part, many trying triathlon for the first time. Over 90 women took on their first triathlon in Mayo after an eight week training programme combining 5 local clubs and Mayo Sports Partnership. Sligo Triathlon Club will also be running their annual Women’s Triathlon training programme and event which has been running for an impressive 9 years to continue to grow the sport in the west of Ireland.
Triathlon Ireland currently has 3,861 female members, representing 36% of their membership. An additional 1,839 women participated in a triathlon since the campaign was launched in 2018, bringing the total to 5,700 participants. Through junior clubs and their schools Tri Heroes programme, junior girls membership is at an impressive 46%. Triathlon Ireland have pledged to increase their female participation by 20% by the end of 2020.
Sep 13, 2019
Katie Mullan is an Ireland women’s field hockey international. She was captain of the Ireland team that played in the 2018 Women’s Hockey World Cup final. Mullan has also won Irish Senior Cup and Women’s Irish Hockey League titles with UCD. Mullan has also played camogie for CLG Eoghan Rua and helped them win the 2010 All-Ireland Intermediate Club Camogie championship.
20×20: Questions with Katie Mullan
1. What’s your first memory of sport as a child?
Playing football in the back garden with my 2 older brothers. They would play 1v1s whilst I was stuck between the posts. Eventually I earned my spot as an outfielder.
2. How did you first become involved in sport?
Going down to our local GAA club where I started playing football and camogie. At a young age my parents sent the 5 of us off to try ever sport under the sun.
3. What sports did you try as a child?
Camogie, football, soccer, swimming, golf, tennis, surfing…. Honestly anything that was going.
4. What decided you to settle on your chosen sport
I think the opportunities that come with playing international hockey and the friendships I was beginning to get from the sport helped me with the decision to focus on hockey.
5. Who has had the most impact on your sporting career?
Bridget McKeever (Cleans) ex Irish international hockey player, my school coach and club team mate.
6. What female do you most admire in the world of sport?
Serena Williams
7. Outside of sport what do you do in your leisure time?
I love the ocean so I spend a lot of the time in the sea or on the beach. Walking or surfing along the beautiful north coast where I grew up.
8. What is the last movie you went to see? What is your favourite movie of all time?
Toy story 3. As soppy as this sounds probably ‘The Holiday’.
9. What music do you listen to?
My favourite artist is Ben Howard but I would listen to a lot of piano music too
10. Are you a reading fan? If so what are you currently reading?
Only recently have I become a big reading fan. At the moment I am reading Rala. It’s a light hearted read.
11. Do you follow any sports stars on social media? If so who?
Yes I follow a few international hockey players, rugby players and GAA stars.
12. Forget about your sporting diet for a moment? Your favourite meal when you breakout?
Oh definitely a quality wood fired pizza. Toppings preference has to be chorizo and goats cheese.
13. Who do you most admire in your own sport?
Gigi Olivia, she is the Spanish team central midfielder. A world class hockey player.
14. Do you have a special ritual before competing?
Before leaving the hotel for an international game I will always make myself a coffee in the room with my aeropress.
15. Do you still play other sports for fun?
I still surf a lot for fun and play a bit of golf when I return to my hometown.
16. What advice would you give to young girls & boys to encourage them to participate in sport?
Just to find something they enjoy. It doesn’t matter what level you are playing it, if you enjoy it then it will help with many other pressures in your life.
17. What has been your biggest sporting achievement?
Captaining the Irish ladies hockey team in the 2018 World Cup Final
18. How do you cope with (a) injuries; (b) other setbacks?
I think leaning on my team mates helps to cope with both. Without them I
wouldn’t have the same drive to get back up when I get knocked down.
19. What do your family make of your success?
They are proud and just incredibly supportive. They really know the sacrifices made from a young age so they are just so happy for me.
20. What does sport mean to you?
It means being a part of something so much bigger than yourself. To be international hockey players we have to make sacrifices everyday but the friendships created make it all worthwhile.
Check out the 20×20 Women in Sport Calendar for upcoming fixtures
https://20×20.ie/event-calendar/
