The importance of women’s participation in sport is well recognised by the Irish Sports Council having completed a large body of research into the subject. It was clear from that research that initiatives needed to be put in place to promote greater participation in sport and physical activity by women. The ‘Women in Sport Initiative’ launched by the Irish Sports Council in 2005 also set out to address findings that the involvement of girls and women in sport and physical activity at school age and in adult life has tended to be much less than that of their male counterparts. The overarching objectives of the Women in Sport programme have been to raise overall physical activity levels among women and to support women’s roles within sports organisations. Funding dedicated to the Women in Sport programme is available annually from the ISC.

Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership is fully committed to supporting Women in Sport Programmes throughout County Sligo. Recommendations from a Women in Sport conference hosted by SSRP in 2005 reinforced the need for targeted initiatives for female involvement in sport and physical activity.

SSRP makes an annual application to the ISC for funding for projects under the ISC ‘Women in Sport’ programme.

Projects supported by SSRP must have community ownership whereby clubs or community organisations demonstrate the capacity to deliver the event while also supporting opportunities for sustained participation linked to their club or community group.

A number of flagship Women in Sport are supported on an annual basis including:

Sligo Women’s 5K Series:

An annual mass participation running/ walking event series over 5K at 4 venues each June is supported by SSRP. The event series is delivered by 4 Athletic Clubs throughout County Sligo ( Sligo Ac, North Sligo Ac, Tireragh AC, South Sligo AC).

Ladies Tour of Lough Gill:

Innisfree Wheelers Cycling Club is committed to increasing the number of women cyclists in the club and to promote cycling for ladies in general and in order to encourage this a Ladies 40K Leisure Cycle around Lough Gill is delivered annually each September with support from SSRP. Training spins are facilitated for beginners in advance of the cycle.

Ladies Try a Tri:

Sligo Triathlon Club facilitates an annual Ladies ‘Try a Tri’ with support from the SSRP Women in Sport programme. The event is targeted at women who are new to the sport and have not completed a triathlon previously. The initiative aims to:

• Increase the number of women involved in training and participating in triathlons

• Encourage women to join the triathlon club

• Encourage women to undertake leadership roles in the triathlon club

MVP: Promoting physical activity among Mothers, Volunteers and Players:

SSRP in conjunction with targeted GAA Club throughout County Sligo support active lifelong participation for women at GAA clubs through the provision of local fitness opportunities in their facilities thereby encouraging women to keep a lifelong engagement with physical activity through their GAA club. Fitness programmes of a 6 to 10 week duration are supported and activities provided include fitness classes, pilates, boxercise, rebounding etc.

SSRP reviews its women in sport projects annually with a view to identifying new projects in conjunction with clubs and communities which can contribute to increased participation in sport and physical activity by girls and women.

Further information available by contacting 071 9161511 or info@sligosportandrecreation.ie