2022 winners of the “Best Initiative to Promote Women in Sport and Physical Activity” at Irish Sport
Industry Awards.
The Swim Ireland Leadership programme is returning this September and is delivered by experienced consultants with a speciality in sports governance; Lisa Clancy and Sarah O’Shea, who have delivered the programme with Swim Ireland since 2020. Lisa and Sarah work at the highest levels in Irish sport while also holding volunteer Board positions as Vice President of Paralympics Ireland and Honorary General Secretary Olympic Federation Ireland respectively.
The programme has proved hugely successful thus far with 186 participants from over 50 different sporting bodies taking part to develop their leadership skills. The aim of the programme is to provide training, guidance, and expertise to support women to thrive in leadership positions in sport. The interactive practical classes allow each participant to work and focus on their own development, while learning from others in the sporting world as part of a team. Influential speakers working in the upper echelons of sport, will make guest appearances throughout the programme to share their key learnings and advice to course candidates.
There will be some group and individual exercises during the programme and each course size is
limited to ensure everyone can fully engage and benefit from the programme offering, to further their own potential.
This programme is specifically designed for female leaders (Committee Members, Athletes, Officials
and other volunteers) within your Club. Those applying should already be in a leadership position or
seek to take on a leadership role in the near future.
Candidates must be able to commit to the dates and times of the course and fully engage throughout. Places are offered via application process; successful candidates will avail of a heavily subsidised course fee of €100 (full course cost usually €750) supported by Women in Sport Funding that Swim Ireland receives from Sport Ireland and will receive six Swim Ireland Continual Professional Development (CPD) points upon completion of the course.
Course Content
The course modules include the following core topics:
- Leadership and Values
- Networking and Collaboration
- Handling Challenging Situations and Developing Resilience
- Crisis Management
- Influencing in leadership
- Communications and Developing Your Personal Brand
- Governance in Sport
- Change Management
Participants will also receive a one-on-one coaching session and support in producing their own Personal Development Plan. Guest speakers will also provide insight into their own personal leadership experiences.
Course Schedule
Online session durations are 90 minutes from 7-8.30pm, in person final session (3 ½ hour duration)
- Wednesday September 20th online
- Wednesday September 27th online
- Wednesday October 4th online
- Wednesday October 11th online
- Wednesday October 18th online
- Sunday October 22nd in person final session – 11am-2.30pm at the National Indoor Training Centre, Sport Ireland Campus, Blanchardstown, Dublin.
We would also ask candidates to please provide us with any information that may be useful to
facilitators including learning supports required or additional needs.
If you would like to apply for this Leadership Programme, please complete the application form.
Application Deadline; 5pm on Friday August 18th 2023
