Women in Sport Week 2026: Celebrating Girls and Women in Sport Across Ireland

Women in Sport Week 2026 brought communities across Ireland together to recognise the role sport plays in the lives of women and girls.

Running from March 2 to March 8, this year’s campaign encouraged people to bring the same energy to women’s sport as they do to men’s sport. It servedas a reminder that visibility, investment and everyday support all play a role in strengthening women’s sport.

For teenage girls, initiatives like Her Moves play an important role in helping girls stay connected to sport and physical activity. By promoting movement in ways that feel social, supportive and accessible, the programme helps girls explore activities that work for them.

What is Women in Sport Week?

Women in Sport Week is a national initiative from Sport Ireland that celebrates the achievements of women and girls in sport while encouraging more participation, whether as a participant/athlete, coach, official, volunteer and/or leader.

Women in Sport Week was created to coincide with International Women’s Day, 8th March. A day widely celebrated across the world focusing on the social, economic,cultural, and political achievements of women as well as highlighting the challenges, barriers and inequalities that still exist. 

Women in Sport Week supports the objectives and actions outlined in Sport Ireland’s Policy on Women in Sport (WIS), which identifies Visibility as a key pillar.

First held in March 2021 and repeated every March since, WIS Week is a significant and successful week of celebration, promotion, and enhances the visibility of women’s sport and women in sport. 

Each year, across the week, National Governing Bodies, Local Sports Partnerships, schools and clubs share stories and host activities that highlight the many ways girls and women are involved in sport across Ireland.

The Importance of Sport for Teenage Girls

Research consistently shows that sport can play a powerful role inbuilding confidence, resilience and friendships among teenage girls.

However, many girls drop out of sport during their teenage years due to factors such as confidence, social pressures and limited opportunities that feel welcoming or inclusive.

Women in Sport Week helps bring attention to these challenges while encouraging organisations across the sporting sector to create environments where girls feel comfortable remaining active.

The Same Energy Campaign

The theme for Women in Sport Week 2026 asked a simple question.

‘Are we bringing the same energy to women’s sport as we do to men’s sport?’

Whether it's planning for the next international fixture or deciding on budgets for the year ahead, Same Energy is a call to everyone; sports administrators, fans, coaches, officials, organisations, and communities to get behind women and girls in sport and match that energy.

Women in Sport Week 2026 was supported by high-profile ambassadors' Irish rugby captain Erin King and Paralympic Medalist Orla Comerford, helping to drive awareness, inspire participation and reinforce the message that women’s sport deserves the same energy and respect as men’s sport at every level.

New research presented during the week examined gender representation in Irish sports media and established benchmark figures for coverage of women’s sport across national outlets.

Initial findings showed that 18% of national sports news coverage focused on women’s sport, while 22% of radio sports programme coverage featured women’s sport. The research highlights the importance of visibility in shaping how athletes, sports and role models are recognised, and provides an important baseline from which progress can continue to grow.

For teenage girls, visibility matters. Seeing female athletes represented in media helps young girls recognise that sport is a space where they belong. Increasing the visibility of women’s sport can play an important role in inspiring the next generation of girls to stay involved and see what is possible through sport.

Creating Opportunities for Girls in Sport

Women in Sport Week also highlights the importance of helping girls remain involved in sport during their teenage years.

The Her Moves initiative reflects this focus by supporting teenage girls across Ireland to stay connected to sport and physical activity through welcoming and social environments.

Through storytelling, role models and community engagement, Her Moves encourages girls to explore different forms of movement and discover activities that suit them.

By highlighting female athletes and sharing positive sporting experiences, initiatives like Women in Sport Week help more girls see themselves reflected in sport.

Keeping the Momentum Going

Women in Sport Week continues to grow each year, with increasing engagement from sporting organisations, schools and communities. This year,school classroom toolkits were released as part of the campaign, aligning with the Same Energy theme. You can download the secondary school toolkit here and use in your classroom today! https://www.sportireland.ie/sites/default/files/media/document/2026-02/Sport%20Ireland%20WIS%20Week%20Secondary%20School%20Pack.pdf

While the week is a moment to celebrate progress, it also reinforces the importance of continuing to support women’s sport and creating spaces where girls feel encouraged to participate.

Because when girls find something that moves them, the benefits of sport can last a lifetime.

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