At the launch of Women in Sport Week 2026 were (from left) Bethany Carson, Women in Sport Manager, Paralympian Orla Comerford, Irish rugby captain Erin King and Nora Stapleton, Director of Strategic National Governing Body Programmes & Women in Sport Lead
Launch of Women in Sport Week 2026

Sport Ireland launches Women in Sport Week with ‘Same Energy’ theme to champion equality and visibility in women’s sport

Thu 26th Feb 2026

Irish rugby captain Erin King and Paralympian Orla Comerford lend support to week-long event

Today (Thursday, February 26th) Sport Ireland launches Women in Sport Week with the theme ‘Same Energy’, designed to celebrate, support and amplify women and girls in sport across Ireland.  

Launched by Minister of State with special responsibility for Sport & Postal Policy Charlie McConalogue on the Sport Ireland Campus ahead of International Women’s Day, the campaign calls on the public to bring the #SameEnergy to women’s sport as they would to men’s sport during Women in Sport Week (March 2nd – 8th) and beyond by attending, watching, streaming or celebrating female sport in all its forms.

Same Energy challenges everyone to ask whether they are bringing the same energy, excitement, commitment and visibility to women’s sport as they do to in 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 is supported by high-profile ambassadors' Irish rugby captain Erin King and Paralympian 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.

Minister for Communications, Culture and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan said:

“The Same Energy’ theme sends a powerful message about fairness, opportunity and ambition in Irish sport. Women and girls deserve equal access, equal encouragement and equal recognition. By encouraging people to actively support women’s sport during Women in Sport Week and beyond. This initiative helps build a stronger, more inclusive sporting culture for the future.”

Throughout Women in Sport Week, Sport Ireland and its stakeholders, National Governing Bodies, Local Sports Partnerships and other funded bodies will showcase a host of activities and initiatives aimed at supporting and increasing the visibility of every woman and girl involved in sport.

Minister of State with special responsibility for Sport & Postal Policy Charlie McConalogue, said:

“Women in Sport Week is an important opportunity to recognise the breadth of contribution women make to Irish sport, as athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers and leaders. The Same Energy theme encourages all of us to actively support that contribution, whether by attending events, tuning in, or celebrating the women who are driving sport forward in our communities every day.”

Women in Sport Week has been developed to align with all pillars of Sport Ireland’s Policy on Women in Sport, ensuring it is aligned across every level of the sporting system; from grassroots participation and coaching, to leadership, officiating, volunteering and high performance. 

The initiative recognises that women’s sport extends far beyond the field of play and that progress depends on visibility, recognition and support across the sporting ecosystem. 

Women in Sport Week supports National Governing Bodies, Local Sports Partnerships, clubs, schools and communities in championing women and girls in sport, regardless of role, level or ability.

Sport Ireland CEO Dr Úna May said:

“Women in Sport Week celebrates the achievements and contributions of women across sport, while shining a spotlight on the programmes and initiatives that advance gender equality and encourage greater female participation at every level.

We are proud to use this week to amplify the visibility of women in sport and to highlight the actions and investments that support participation, leadership, and opportunity throughout the sporting landscape. I encourage everyone to bring the #SameEnergy to women’s sport as they would to men’s sport beyond the week.”

Erin King, Womens Irish Rugby Team Captain and Women in Sport Week ambassador, said:

“Same Energy is about more than performance, it’s about belief. When girls see women being backed, celebrated and taken seriously in sport, it changes what they believe is possible for themselves. This campaign is about creating momentum and making equality the norm, not the exception.”

Nora Stapleton, Director of Strategic National Governing Body Programmes & Women in Sport Lead said:

“The Same Energy theme encapsulates what women in sport have been calling for consistent visibility, support, and respect. Every year, this initiative celebrates the progress made across women in sport but acts as a timely reminder of the challenges and barriers that still exist. We look forward to using this week to spotlight some key insights we have gathered relating to the Sport Ireland Policy on Women in sport.”

As part of the campaign, Sport Ireland is encouraging individuals, clubs, schools and organisations to bring the #SameEnergy during Women in Sport Week by engaging with and celebrating women’s sport nationwide. 
To further support this, Sport Ireland has developed a dedicated schools engagement programme, providing primary and secondary schools with campaign-themed resources and classroom activities designed to inspire students and spark conversation around women’s sport across Ireland.

A calendar of Irish women’s sporting events will be available on the Sport Ireland website, helping to drive attendance, viewership and engagement.

For more information on the Women in Sport Week initiative, visit Women in Sport Week | Sport Ireland or follow Sport Ireland across social media channels.

For further information, please contact:

Teneo

Sport Ireland - media@sportireland.ie

About Sport Ireland 

Sport Ireland is the authority tasked with the development of sport in Ireland, including participation in sport and outdoor recreation, high-performance sport, anti-doping, coaching, and the development of the Sport Ireland Campus.
 
About Sport Ireland – Women in Sport 

Sport Ireland's Women in Sport programme, initiated in 2005, targets increased, sustained female involvement across all levels—from grassroots participation to elite coaching, officiating, and leadership. Supported by over €30m in funding since its inception, the Sport Ireland Policy on Women in Sport addresses gender gaps through four key pillars: Active Participation, Leadership & Governance, Coaching & Officiating, and Visibility.

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