Inspiring Girls... Meath Local Sports Partnership initiative aimed at empowering young female athletes and leaders

More than 180 secondary school pupils from three Meath schools gathered at Gormanston Sports Centre to mark the conclusion of the Inspiring Girls Programme, an initiative by Meath Local Sports Partnership aimed at empowering young female athletes and leaders. In just three years, the programme has set a standard for collaboration among schools, sports organisations, and young women to boost confidence and participation in sports.

For the first time this year, students from O’Carolan College, Boyne Community School, and Coláiste Clavin came together in a vibrant celebration. The event featured taster sessions in seven sports including olympic handball, badminton, nockey, orienteering, rugby, table tennis, and Gaelic football, culminating in a lively dance session that highlighted the fun and camaraderie of the programme.

The Inspiring Girls Programme, part of Sport Ireland’s HER Moves initiative, focuses on four key pillars: Leadership, Participation, Sustainability, and Celebration. Throughout the year, senior students complete a three-day Leadership in Sport Training, honing their mentoring, coaching, communication, and inclusion skills, which they then applied by creating multi-sport taster sessions for their younger peers, embodying the 'By the Girls, For the Girls' spirit at the programme's core. Their leadership journey concluded with students engaging in both sports activities and an educational session with Move2B focused on the menstrual cycle and female athletes—an increasingly relevant topic for young women in sports.

Both students and teachers demonstrated high levels of engagement, highlighting the importance of educating young athletes for their well-being and performance. Mary Murphy, CEO of Meath Local Sports Partnership, remarked that the event showcased the potential of young women when given the right environment and support.

“The Inspiring Girls Programme is about much more than sport,” she stated. “It empowers young women in Meath to gain confidence and skills to become leaders in all areas of their lives. Over 180 students gathered today with such energy and enthusiasm; it is truly inspiring. They should all take pride in their achievements this year.”

Lisa O’Dowd, Women in Sport Lead at Meath LSP and the programme's key advocate, remarked on the initiative's unique nature.

“What makes Inspiring Girls special is that the girls lead the way,” she observed. “The senior students took ownership of the programme, demonstrating its impact. Today celebrated their courage and commitment in inspiring younger girls. I am extremely proud of these students and thankful to the teachers whose dedication made this possible.” Teachers from the three participating schools provided positive feedback, noting strong connections formed between senior and junior students, as well as the long-term benefits of the leadership and mentoring skills gained. They highlighted how the programme boosted confidence among students who previously did not see themselves as leaders and encouraged younger girls to explore new sports.

Meath LSP is now inviting expressions of interest for the 2026/27 Inspiring Girls Programme from schools across the county. Schools looking to empower their female students to develop leadership and ambassador skills in sports should contact Lisa O’Dowd at lodowd@meathcoco.ie.