“Women in Sport - A National Perspective”
28 October 2015
Maev Nic LochlainnDept. of Transport, Tourism & Sport
Structure of PresentationReview of Relevant Research
- Keeping them in the Game, 2013
- Irish Sports Monitor, 2013 Annual Report
Gender Gap - Policy Responses
“Keeping Them in the Game”ESRI / Irish Sports Council – published Sept
2013
No difference in participation on leaving primary
Clear gender gap on leaving secondary level
Women no less likely than men to take up sport as adults
Over the secondary school years….
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 20150
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
ISCNSC
Proportion who continue with a sport played in school, after Leaving School….
Irish Sports Monitor, 2013Ipsos MRBI/ Irish Sports Council – published 2014
Analysis of nearly 9,400 questionnaires, aged 16+
More females participating in sport (up 3.7% to 42.7%)
Increases across all age groups, especially 25-44 years
Significant narrowing Gender Gap– (11.8% to 9.3%)
Top 5!
1. Exercise
2. Swimming
3. Running
4. Dancing
5. Cycling
Women’s active participation in sport and exercise 2011 - 2013
12.4%
9.9%
4.4%
5.7%
3.2%
2.3% 2.3%
1.3% 1.5%1.9%
1.3% 1.0%
12.9%
10.0%
7.4%
6.3%
3.5%
2.1% 1.8% 1.9% 1.6% 1.3% 1.3%0.9%
0%
2%
4%
6%
8%
10%
12%
14%
2011 2013
Context for playing sport among women
36.8%
22.8%
35.8%
4.6%
2013
On own
Casually with family / friends
Organised training / coaching
Organised competition
Why do women play?
Source: Irish Sports Monitor 2013 unpublished
Improve
health and fitness
Relax
Control W
eight
Spend time w
ith fr
iends and fa
mily
Improve
athletic skil
ls
Compete with
others0%
10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%
100%89.6%
71.0%74.2%
59.1%
36.0%
17.6% Female
Roles Carried out by volunteers
Perceptions of administration of sport at a national level
Too male dominated Too female dominated Balance is about right0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
67.3%
0.2%
28.0%
67.9%
0.1%
26.2%
MaleFemale
Source: Irish Sports Monitor 2013 unpublished
Gender Gap - Policy Responses Women in Sport Initiative – launched 2005
Physical Activity Plan – to be launched shortly
Sports Policy - Consultation to be launched shortly
