Aug 12, 2019
Limerick Sports Partnership have several Women in Sport programmes taking place each year. The aim of this Women in Sport Initiative is to increase participation of women of all ages in sport and provide them with information regarding sports and physically active programmes, events and clubs that are available in local areas. Some programmes include:
Women on Wheels:
This is a cycling programme that takes place in two different locations- The Western Greenway and the various roads and cycle lanes around East Limerick. Approximately 60 women take part in this programme at various times throughout the year.
Turbo Cycling:
This is a 12-week indoor winter programme that takes place each January. This programme prepares participants for taking part in the outdoor programme, covering bike skills and increasing their fitness.
Couch to 5km:
LSP facilitate numerous couch to 5km programmes at various times throughout the year in preparation for local events including ‘The Great Limerick Run’ and the ‘Womens Mini Marathon’.
Womens Physical Activity and Wellbeing Programmes:
LSP link directly with many services and organisations to facilitate appropriate programmes specifically for women e.g. ADAPT House, DEPPs
Since the 20×20 campaign was launched, Limerick LSP have an SDO partially dedicated to the area of Women in Sport. Many new programmes have also been launched in the last 12 months:
Buggy Buddies:
This is a mother toddler programme, whereby mothers can bring their buggies with them. This is both an indoor and outdoor programme and has so far taken place in two locations across Limerick.
Mum on the Move:
This programme targets mothers who have just dropped their kids off to school. Local facilities are promoted and utilised, in an effort to encourage mothers to meet up themselves and do some physical activity in the morning.
Discover Fitness:
This was a new programme set up in 2019, specifically for women from different cultures and backgrounds. The aim of this programme was to make participants aware of the different physical activity opportunities and safe environments available across the city and instill motivation and confidence to become physically active.
For more information about the Limerick Sports Partnership and how to get involved, find us on Facebook.
Aug 9, 2019
Mary O Connor is CEO of the Federation of Irish Sport. She is a native of Cork and has worked in sport all her professional life and is an avid sports fan. Mary has represented her native Cork in both Camogie and Ladies football amassing a total of 12 Senior All Ireland medals over a 16-year dual inter county career. She has won All Stars in both codes, national leagues and provincial titles and more recently was honoured with an Honorary Doctorate from University College Cork (2012) in recognition of her amazing contribution to sport in Ireland.
20 Questions with Mary O’Connor
1. What’s your first memory of sport as a child?
My first memory is of replicating sport I saw on TV with my brothers and sisters in our front garden. One day you were a rugby player, then a golfer (with man made holes dug out of the garden – my mam was not impressed) or a hurler or a tennis player. We even replicated the Dublin horse show with pretend horses and a dish of water as a water jump! Fun and innocent times.
2. How did you first become involved in sport?
I have 6 brothers and 2 sisters and where we grew up everyone played Gaelic Games. I played on both the boys hurling and football teams until I was 12. I started playing Camogie at 6 after my sisters Helen and Ann had been playing for a while with Killeagh.
3. What sports did you try as a child?
I tried all sports in my front garden, but the ones I played in a formal way was Gaelic Games, I played some underage soccer with the boys as well, but it was always Gaelic Games for me.
4. What decided you to settle on your chosen sport?
It was simple I really had no other interest. I loved Gaelic games and I got such a thrill and enjoyment from playing it. I think I was very lucky to come from Killeagh, Camogie and GAA was so well run in the clubs when I was starting off. We had loads of games.
5. Who has had the most impact on your sporting career?
I think without doubt my mother, my greatest supporter no matter what, I cried on her shoulder more than most!! However, if I had not had Tommy Seward in my life from u12 as my first real coach of the Killeagh u12 hurlers I do not think I could have achieved what I did. He has been a great friend to me, a confidante and somebody who was great to give me feedback and never stopped believing in me. If everyone had a ‘Tommy’ in their life’s, society would be a much better place.
6. What female do you most admire in the world of sport?
I have always admired Sonia O Sullivan and she has been such a genuine role model for people in sport, she was talented, committed and showed real resolve at different times in her career.
7. Outside of sport what do you do in your leisure time?
Oh, as I have grown older, I have taken an interest in Hill-walking, and a little bit of cycling. I like to be entertained by sport now so I go and watch as many games/events as I can. I have a fantastic family; we are a very tight bunch and with 24 nieces and nephews there is always time to be spent with them.
8. What is the last movie you went to see? What is your favourite movie of all time
Oh God, the last one I saw was a star is born and there was so much tears at the end that I could not leave the cinema for about 15 minutes until the red eyes calmed down! My favourite film is The Ghost and Mrs Muir
9. What music do you listen to?
I am a big Van Morrison fan and I really enjoy Foy Vance too, I listen to most music and with the influence of older brothers and sisters I like listening to the Stunning, something happens and Elvis Costello
10. Are you a reading fan? If so, what are you currently reading?
Currently reading the Salted Path by Raynor Winn and the beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri – both very different, but excellent reads!
11. Do you follow any sports stars on social media? If so who?
Yes, I do Billy Jean King always has something good to say. I am a big Man United fan, but I think some of the current players spend too much time on social media not mentioning any names!
12. Forget about your sporting diet for a moment? Your favourite meal when you breakout?
Fortunately, I have retired competitively now so I can eat what I want, but when I was training a cheat meal was just pizza and chips – simple things!
13. Who do you most admire in your own sport?
In Gaelic Games there are many fantastic players some of whom I got to play alongside such as Juliet Murphy, Rena Buckley, Angela Walsh and Briege Corkery. In Camogie Lyn and Steph Dunlea were exceptional camogie players. I think Gemma O Connor current Cork Camogie player has been superb athlete as well as Caroline O Hanlon Armagh, Cora Staunton Mayo and Mary Leacy Wexford and Therese Maher Galway
14. Do you have a special ritual before competing?
Yes, I had a few but like everything when you retire you reflect and think what was I thinking – my pre-match big meal was Weetabix with hot milk – enough said
15. Do you still play other sports for fun?
No, I just puck around in the front garden with my nieces and nephews, I still love the thrill of striking the ball and controlling it, but I am too fragile at my age to play a team sport now 😊😊
16. What advice would you give to young girls & boys to encourage them to participate in sport?
Play sport as an opportunity to be active, make friends, travel to new places and learn about yourself. Never play sport for anything but enjoyment. Enjoyment is the main reason to play sport.
17. What has been your biggest sporting achievement?
To have no regrets, yes, I was part of successful teams, but I retired knowing that I maximised the talent I was given by preparing as best I could and being totally committed to my sports. Yes, there was games I lost but I know that I could not have trained or prepared harder, the other teams were just better on those days.
18. How do you cope with (a) injuries; (b) other setbacks?
In sport are common, the key is to focus on what you are in control off, as the saying goes ‘the clock will always turn’ and when it does be ready. I would also say listen to your body everyone’s recovery from injury is different.
19. What do your family make of your success?
As long as my family are proud of me as their sister as a person firstly nothing else matters. I loved sport and pursued excellence relentlessly throughout my career, they never questioned it even if it meant missing christenings or weddings etc. Our family are like any other, no special treatment just get on with your life and if you need support reach out.
20. What does sport mean to you?
There was a time when sport was absolutely everything to me, success or failure coloured my viewpoint on things even my estimation of myself. but now I see sport as having given me so many enjoyable experiences, fantastic friends and as a vehicle where I learnt about life along the way. sport thought me about commitment, resilience, leadership, cooperation, teamwork, decision making and empathy. It has been my best teacher!
Check out the 20×20 Women in Sport Calendar for upcoming fixtures
https://20×20.ie/event-calendar/
Aug 7, 2019
Our International 20×20 Sportswoman of the Week goes to Stephanie Frappart, who on 14th August 2019 will become the first woman to referee a major European men’s soccer game when she takes charge of the UEFA Super Cup game between Liverpool and Chelsea in Istanbul.
Last month Stephanie refereed the final of the FIFA Women’s World Cup when USA won the title with victory over Netherlands. On that occasion her assistant referees were her compatriot Manuela Nicolosi and our own Michele O’Neill. Manuela and Michelle will again be her assistant referees for the Liverpool Chelsea game. In April of this year Stephanie became the first woman to referee a League one game in France. She has subsequently been promoted to the elite pool of referees in France.
Speaking of her appointment, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said: “As an organisation, we place the utmost importance on the development of women’s football in all areas. I hope the skill and devotion that Stephanie has shown throughout her career to reach this level will provide inspiration to millions of girls and women around Europe and show them there should be no barriers in order to reach one’s dream.”
Aug 2, 2019
Sinéad Goldrick is the current vice-captain of the Dublin Senior ladies team, along with Sinead Aherne and Ciara Trant. The Dublin senior ladies are current back to back All-Ireland champions and competing in this year’s championship to claim a third. Sinéad plays her club football with Foxrock Cabinteely, who are Dublin Club Senior Champions from 2012-2018 and have reached the 2019 Dublin Club Semi-finals. Sinéad is a five-time ladies Gaelic football All-Star.
20 Questions with Sinéad Goldrick
1. What’s your first memory of sport as a child?
My school sports race day, were we would do sprinting races against each other. I also remember siting in my school hall watching Sonia O’Sullivan compete at the Olympics and cheering her on.
2. How did you first become involved in sport?
Through my primary school St Brigid’s in Cabinteely.
3. What sports did you try as a child?
I loved all sports as a child, I was part of athletics, swimming, gymnastics, basketball and Gaelic football teams and also did Irish dancing up until secondary school.
4. What decided you to settle on your chosen sport?
I choose Gaelic football because of the friendships that I had in my club Foxrock Cabinteely and my Dublin team. There is a special bond, a sense of community and friendship in my club and county teams that goes unrivaled to all the other sports that I have been involved in.
5. Who has had the most impact on your sporting career?
My parents and my family are my number one supporters, win, lose or draw they are there at the end of my game to support me and the team. They love my team and no match would be the same if they weren’t there!!
I’m so grateful for my parents who drove me to all my training sessions when I was younger too, I definitely wouldn’t be playing today for Dubin without their support.
6. What female do you most admire in the world of sport?
At the moment, I admire the two time world champions women’s USA soccer team especially, Megan Raponine, Heath and Christen Press for how the team played in the World Cup and their passion to fight for equality in their sport!
7. Outside of sport what do you do in your leisure time?
I love going for a swim and jumping into the Vico in Dalkey or the 40ft, and I’m a massive coffee fan!
8. What is the last movie you went to see?
I haven’t been to the cinema in ages, the the last film I watched was Training Day.
9. What music do you listen to?
All sorts of music depends on what mood I’m in. Before a game, I listen to dance music.
10. Are you a reading fan? If so what are you currently reading?
I’m reading The Blindboy book, I’m a massive fan of his podcast.
11. Do you follow any sports stars on social media? If so who?
Serena Williams, Megan Rapinoe, Shane Lowry, Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo to name a few!
12. Forget about your sporting diet for a moment, what is your favourite meal when you breakout?
Pizza
13. Who do you most admire in your own sport?
I admire all my team mates, the one that I admire most at the moment is Siobhan Killeen, she is a former international soccer player and Dublin ladies player she had a bad injury at the start of the year which has ruled her out for the rest of the season. However, she is still staying involved with the team, and being very strict on her recovery, her work rate to get back fit and attitude is amazing, I really respect her.
14. Do you have a special ritual before competing?
Same meal before a championship game, which is lasagne!
15. Do you still play other sports for fun?
Gaelic football is the only sport I play at the moment, but I’d love to start go back playing basketball on the off season
16. What advice would you give to young girls & boys to encourage them to participate in sport?
Find your passion, whatever sport it is and work hard. The friendship and memories you form through sport are so valuable and important to help build your character. By being involved in sports you learn to be resilient, and how to handle the highs and lows of life. My only advice would be to work hard, you can’t control a lot of things on the pitch but one thing you can control is how you work for your teammates, and good defence all over the pitch becomes good offensive!
17. What has been your biggest sporting achievement?
Winning an All-Ireland with Dublin in 2017 and 2018 and reaching the club All-Ireland Final with Foxrock Cabinteely in 2018.
18. How do you cope with (a) injuries; (b) other setbacks?
I write down my goals for recovery and set a time frame of when I’l be in a position to be back training, or when I’ll be fit for the next match, this allows me to stay positive and have weekly goals that I work to and try and achieve.
19. What do your family make of your success?
My family are my biggest heroes, they are at every game. I’m also, so grateful to my parents for driving me to all my training session when I was younger and how they continue to support me.
20. What does sport mean to you?
Everything, I love being part of a team and the fulfillment and satisfaction of working hard with your friends and teammates to try and achieve your goals.
Check out the 20×20 Women in Sport Calendar for upcoming fixtures
Sport Calendar
Jul 31, 2019
On Sunday last, Australian cricketer Ellyse Perry made history when she became the first ever cricketer, male or female to complete the double of 1,000 runs and 100 wickets in the T20 format of international cricket. A phenomenal achievement by a phenomenal sportswoman and one which makes her our International 20×20 Sportswoman of the week.
Ellyse is in fact a dual international playing both soccer and cricket for her country. She was the youngest person to be capped at both sports for Australia and has represented her country at both the cricket and soccer World Cups.
In recent years she has focused on cricket with great success and currently is one of the star performers for the Australian team that have just won the Ashes series against England. She stars both as a bowler and batswoman for the team.
Ellyse was the ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year in 2017. In the current Ashes series, she scored 116 in the test match and took 7 wickets for 22 runs in one of the One Day Internationals.
Jul 29, 2019
The Federation of Irish Sport are delighted to announce and launch our Member Monday’s, focusing on members who have signed up to the 20×20 campaign pledging their support. Every Monday the feature will look at an exciting combination of specific women in sport strategies, key athletes, star under age programmes and fantastic women in sport activities.
Kicking off week one is Table Tennis Ireland.
Table Tennis Ireland
Table Tennis Ireland Women in Sport vision – “To create a structure and pathway to facilitate female participation in sport and to develop disciplines and skills which will benefit female athletes throughout their life”. To achieve this vision, we have set up Aims & Objectives as follows:
- Increase participation in the sport
- Create a culture of sport among females
- Develop a coach education structure specifically targeted at females
- Develop leadership skills among female participants
- Identify role models to ensure long term sustainability
TTI WIS has signed up to the 20 x 20 Championing Women in Sport campaign with the Federation of Irish Sport. The following bullet points summarised events/initiatives we have run since the campaign:
- 15+ WIS Fun Day to generate interest from all levels and age groups, total of 300+ females participated and age range between 7 and 60+
- 3 Introduction Coaching Courses have taken place, total of 28 female qualified as coaches at grassroots level
- On World Table Tennis Day, we run an International WIS Day and received great support from Home Countries’ coaches and players
- To build self-confidence, empower female young leaders and coaches, we have sent 3 females to Leadership Courses, and financially supported one female coach to Level One Coaching Course for further development.
We have committed to the 20×20 Charter to promote Irish Female Table Tennis and pledge to achieve the following:
- Increasing Media Coverage – to actively increasing media coverage of our female international teams and club/school competitions at all levels by 30% by 2020.
- Increasing Attendance at female events/games – actively promoting and planning for increasing attendance at identified female games and events by 30% by 2020.
- Increasing Participation – to actively increasing female participation at player, coach, referee, volunteer or administration level (please outline at least one here) by an overall average of 40% by the year 2020.
- Evolution of female only competitions
All the above has been included in the TTI WIS Plan for the next two years. It will demonstrate that we have evolved a strong structure and a robust system to achieve our ultimate goals – increasing female participation at all levels, empower female coaches and leaders and produce female role models to inspire the next generation.
