Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Sports Partnership are delighted to announce that they will be delivering another bespoke DLR Women in Sport Leadership Course to clubs in the County in September 2022. This is the second time this highly rated, award winning, national course is being rolled out here.

This course is designed and delivered by experienced consultants Lisa Clancy and Sarah O’Shea, who have themselves worked at the highest levels in Irish sport. They also hold volunteer board positions as Vice President of Paralympics Ireland and Honorary General Secretary Olympic Federation Ireland respectively bringing their extensive sporting leadership experience to the programme. Our first course which took place in January 2022 received rave reviews from all the female participants which has helped them on their own leadership journeys in sport.

This leadership programme has already proved to be hugely successful elsewhere with over 230 female participants spanning over 52 sporting bodies creating a strong network of female leaders. Participants have included club members, athletes, coaches, volunteers, board members and support personnel from a variety of backgrounds and all ages within clubs and National Governing Bodies. Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Sports Partnership are delighted to be in a position to offer this course to 18 female volunteers involved in various roles at club level.

The aim of the DLR Women In Sport Leadership Programme is to provide training, guidance, and expertise to support women to thrive in leadership positions in sport. It will give women across the County the opportunity to learn additional skills, increase their confidence and build networks across sports.

The programme is specifically designed for female leaders over the age of 18 years old working or volunteering within sport (committee members, officials, volunteers, coaches etc.), but it is also suitable for females that are involved in sport and want to now pursue a position of leadership. The cost per participant for the full programme is subsidised at just €30 due to funding secured through Sport Ireland and the Dormant Accounts Fund.

The course is designed to be an enjoyable experience for participants to learn in a relaxed supportive environment and build a network into the future. It is a practical interactive course delivered over zoom and in person with participants expected to fully engage during the sessions and in various breakout groups as part of their learning experience.

The DLR Women In Sport Leadership Programme will be delivered through a mix of online sessions on Tuesdays evenings 19:00-20:30 (20th & 27th September, 4th, 11th & 18th October 2022) and a final session in person (Saturday 22nd October), venue to be confirmed.

There will be some group and individual exercises during the programme and the size of the class is limited to ensure everyone has the opportunity to fully engage and reach their full potential. The interactive practical classes allow each participant to work and focus on their own development, while also learning from other women and hearing about their experiences of leadership. On successful completion of the course each participant will receive a Certificate in Women in Sport Leadership from Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Sports Partnership.

How to Nominate:

All clubs or sporting groups based in Dun Laoghaire Rathdown can nominate one female who they feel is the most appropriate for the course and can benefit most from the content and supports. This nomination must come through the club Chairperson. Those interested should be a female already in a volunteer role in your club or recognised as having the potential to take on a leadership role in the near future. Attached is the Nomination Form which must be returned by 5pm on Friday 8th July 2022 to the following email address sportspartnership@dlrcoco.ie

Please note that places get booked up quickly. It is also important that nominees can attend ALL the course dates listed above.

Places on the course are limited to 18 and all nominations received by the closing date will be reviewed based on the content of this Nomination Form by the Board of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Sports Partnership to select the successful nominees for September 2022.

Topics on the course will include:

• Leadership• Values• Networking and Collaboration• Challenging Situations and Resilience• Conflict• Crisis Management • Communications and Developing Your Personal Brand• Influence and Change • Research and Governance.

Participants will also receive a one-on-one coaching session and support in producing their own Personal Development Plan. Modules will also include inputs from external speakers at national and local level relating their own personal leadership experiences.