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Sport Ireland invites applications for Women in Sport Analysis and Punditry Training

Through its Women in Sport Programme, Sport Ireland is seeking candidates to partake in a new initiative that will provide expert training on pre, during, and post sport event analysis and punditry for broadcast (TV, live-streaming, radio).

Increasing the visibility of females in sport is a key pillar of the Sport Ireland Women in Sport Policy and a number of objectives have been set out, including the training of potential female analyst and pundits. Increasing the pool of female candidates available to broadcasters is one such objective.

The programme, run in conjunction with training, development, and communications experts The Communications Clinic, will last approximately six months, and will provide the successful candidates with the understanding and the practical skills of working in a live studio environment, preparation & research for broadcasts, on-air delivery, establishing area(s) of specialisation and establishing relationships with key stakeholders – broadcasters, players, officials and governing bodies.

Chief Executive of Sport Ireland, John Treacy welcomes the launch of the training, “I am delighted to open applications for this training. Sport Ireland is committed to increasing women’s sustained involvement in sport as coaches, volunteers, club members, athletes, advocates, leaders, and participants.  Having more females visible as analysts and pundits is central to increasing involvement and visibility and I look forward to seeing more balance on our screens and on the airwaves in the near future”. 

As part of the training programme, the successful candidates will also partake in a mentorship programme, which will see them learn from the very best in the business.

Director of Participation and Ethics, Dr. Úna May commented, “This training will take women who have a passion for sport, who know their sport inside out and prepare them to face the obstacles that exist in television and radio. It will help them develop the skills, experience, confidence and ability to become world class media contributors and national role models. Increasing the visibility for women in sport is a key aim of our work and we look forward to seeing more visible role models”.

Sport Ireland Women in Sport Lead, Nora Stapleton added, “Since the Sport Ireland Women in Sport Policy was launched in 2019, significant work has been done to increase the visibility of women in sport. We know that the heroes of today inspire the next generation and sports heroes aren’t just those who compete or perform on the world stage. Many people look up to the expert analysists and pundits and it is important that there are female role models in this area as well”.

The training is aimed at anyone who has a love for sport, a flair for analysing and dissecting matches and events and are seeking a career in the media. 

Interested individuals are asked to submit a brief personal statement that gives a summary of why they are interested in partaking in this programme, and how their experience makes them a suitable candidate for the programme. The application must also include a short video or audio clip analysing a passage of play from a match or event.

Further information on the training and the application format can be found on the Sport Ireland website.

Applications must be submitted by email to [email protected] by 5pm on Friday April 2^nd.  Applications must include a completed application form and a sample audio or video file.

For the full details and to download the application form visit Sport Ireland website.

www.sportireland.ie/women-in-sport/broadcast-training

Many teenage girls across Ireland are missing out on the benefits of sport and physical activity because they don’t think they are “sporty enough”, they don’t know where or how to get involved, and they don’t think there are opportunities for them to be involved in sport other than traditional team sports.

Use your voice to help these teenage girls realise that sport and physical activity can be a part of their lives and that sport is for everyone, including them.

Be part of the Sport Ireland Girls Get Active Hackathon. Help us tackle the challenge of inactivity by being part of
the solution.

What is a Hackathon?

A Hackathon is a short concentrated event that brings people together to brainstorm and share a range of creative and innovative ideas around a challenge. It is a great way for people to come together, share ideas and create positive change in society.

See here for how to get involved – Hackathon

The WSF Coaching Conference will take place during the afternoon of Saturday 20^th March. It will be recorded and uploaded to the WorldSquashTV YouTube Channel at 7pm Irish time for everyone, as we only have limited capacity for the live session.
 
The Conference is being held in English, as the recording will be available on YouTube, subtitles will be available in various languages.

Programme for Coaching Conference

William Louis Marie – Welcome & Introduction (10m)
WSF Vice President & Chair WSC Sarah Fitz-Gerald – Opening Speech- Duration (5m)
Jesse Engelbrecht – WSC/SquashSkills Foundation Coach Course (20m)
Roy Gingell – WSO Online Courses (10m)
Intermission (5m)
Ronny Vlassaks – Video analysis using Zoom (55m)
Intermission (5m)
Jesse Engelbrecht – The Mind Game (40m)
WSF President Zena Wooldridge OBE – Closing Speech (5m)
Please note all timing is approximate, and the order may be subject to change at short notice.

The YouTube Link will be published on the WSF Face Book page as soon as it is available on Saturday 20th March, so please make sure you like and follow the WSF Face Book page 
https://www.facebook.com/WorldSquash/ to make sure you do not miss out on the day!
 
We hope that you will enjoy the first virtual WSF Coaching Conference.

Join Sport Ireland Coaching as we explore the officiating pathway for females in Ireland and how it can be improved. 

Speakers on the day include Michelle O’Neill, a League of Ireland official and FIFA International Assistant Official and Maggie Farrelly, GAA and Ladies Gaelic Football official at provincial and national level. 

Both speakers bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table and will discuss their experiences of progressing through the ranks of refereeing and officiating and their hopes for the future and the development of a pathway to encourage more women in to refereeing and officiating in all sports. 

Registration for the event which is on Friday 12th March at 1pm through this link: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_wV5-fdzBT9aDkZISRQuW2g

 The webinar is open to all with an interest in women in sport and particularly suitable for anyone currently officiating, those who have an interest in the pathway of developing more female officials in their sport.

A reminder of the next and final event in our Squash Webinar Series. 

The Squash Summit takes place on March 5/6th with keynote speakers – Alex Gough, CEO of the PSA and Zena Woolridge, President of the WSF.

See here for more  information – HERE

List of all the speakers – HERE

FIRST EVER! SQUASH JUNIOR ONLINE HOME INTERNATIONALS 2021

WHAT?    Four 1-hour LIVE sessions of squash specific strength & conditioning exercises delivered over a 48-hour period to emulate a weekend tournament with players from Ireland, Wales, England & Scotland

When?   5-7th March.   Duration: 1 hour.    Schedule: Friday 6pm, Saturday 11am, Saturday 6pm, Sunday 11am

Who?    Squash Juniors aged 11-18

Need?    1 light weight (dumbbell, Medicine Ball or 2 litre bottle of water); Racket; Court Shoes; Non-slip surface; Area of 3m minimum to move forwards/back; and Laptop/phone/tablet

Delivered by?  Derek Ryan: Former World No.7; PSA World Tour Lead Physio; Professional Strength & Conditioning Consultant to Leading PSA Players

How?      Delivered LIVE and ONLINE via ZOOM. Video on or off

Points?     Awarded on attendance basis. Penalty deductions for non-attendance!! On the spot extra point opportunities. Highest Nation average to determine Winner!

Designated Responsible Adult from each nation will be in attendance at each of the 4 sessions.

Good Luck and we hope you all enjoy the ‘Tournament’

You are invited to a strength & conditioning total body workout combining functional movements and resistance training using body weight, weights and bands. These sessions will include mobility and activation exercises that will initially, lightly challenge your body. The intensity will gradually increase each week to maintain that challenge. This will be ideal after the long lay off to prepare for your Squash comeback.