‘Women In Sport’ Initiative Is Launched

…The Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Mr. John O’Donoghue T.D., is pictured with (from left to right): European Lightweight boxing champion Katie Taylor, Jenny Holian, Sarah Holian, Katie Wickham and Aisling Duffy at the launch of the ‘Women In Sport’ initiative at Irishtown Stadium…

The Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Mr. John O’Donoghue T.D., announced details of the 2006 Women In Sport initiative on Thursday at Irishtown Stadium.

The Irish Sports Council has allocated more than 2 million under the 2006 Women in Sport Grant Scheme. 1.4 million is going to 35 projects which emphasise innovative programmes designed to provide access to sport and remove the barriers that prevent women taking part in part as participants, coaches or officials.

Through the scheme, the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) received a grant of 106,200 to assist in developing the women’s game at all levels, throughout the country.

Minister O’Donoghue said: “I recognise the need to target investment in participation programmes for women. The success of the 2005 Women in Sport programme has led to the substantial increase in funding for 2006 for the wide range of innovative projects aimed at getting women of all ages physically active.”