Carla Ward and Nina Carberry to headline Meath Women in Sport Conference

Event in Johnstown Estate on 3rd October

Meath Local Sports Partnership (Meath LSP) has today confirmed the speakers for its Women in Sport Conference 2026, which takes place on on Saturday, 3rd October, at The Shackleton, The Johnstown Estate, Enfield, from 9.30am to 12.30pm.

The conference is titled ‘Empowering Women to Shape Sport: Leadership, Influence, Impact' and will bring together players, athletes, coaches, parents, administrators and volunteers from across Meath and beyond, exploring how to increase women's involvement from the participation stage to positions of leadership and influence in sport in Ireland.

Sports broadcaster and journalist Marie Crowe will MC the morning, which will see contributions from a strong speaker line up including, Mary Van Lieshout, director of participation, ethics, integrity and research, Sport Ireland; Canoeing Ireland CEO, Moira Aston; Nina Carberry, MEP and former jockey; former Ireland Rugby International and Navan RFC head coach, Jackie Shiels; disability activist, Eva Grace, and Emma Jane Clarke, leadership coach at Martinstown Lodge. The conference’s main address comes from Carla Ward, manager of the Republic of Ireland Women's National Team.

Mary Murphy, CEO of Meath Local Sports Partnership, says: "We see the talent, commitment and ambition of women in sport right across Meath every week, on pitches, on sidelines, as participants and in committee rooms. What this conference is about is making sure that talent is matched by opportunity. Bringing together speakers of the calibre of Carla Ward, Nina Carberry and Jackie Shiels gives our clubs and volunteers a real chance to learn from women who have shaped Irish sport, and to take practical ideas home with them."

Lisa O'Dowd, women in sport lead at Meath Local Sports Partnership, adds: "Our Women in Sport programme has significantly expanded across the county over recent years, and this conference is a logical progression of this. I'd encourage clubs throughout the county to send a representative and bring the learning back to their clubs. It's a morning for anyone who wants to increase the participation of women in sport, whether as a player, individual performer, parent, coach, club officer, or somebody interested in getting involved for the first time."

Tickets are priced at €20 and include full access to the conference and the networking lunch afterwards.

They are on sale now at www.meathsports.ie/women-in-sport-conference-2026. Places are limited, and early booking is advised.