Maynooth University, in partnership with the Scottish Government Ireland Office, today hosted a flagship International Women’s Day (IWD) 2026 event at Croke Park, bringing together policymakers, higher education leaders, sports agencies, athletes and students from Ireland and Scotland to explore how universities can help level the field for women in sport.
The event highlighted the role of higher education as a catalyst for Ireland–Scotland collaboration, demonstrating how universities can expand opportunity, mobility and leadership pathways for women in sport across participation, performance, research and leadership.
Closely aligned with the Irish Government’s International Sports Diplomacy Strategy, launched last week, the event reflected the growing recognition of sport as a powerful platform for international partnership, cultural exchange and bilateral cooperation. It also aligns with shared Irish and Scottish policy priorities set out in the Ireland–Scotland Bilateral Framework 2030, which commits both countries to deeper collaboration across sport, education and wellbeing.
The event takes place at a time of renewed national attention on women’s participation in sport in Ireland, following record levels of Government investment delivered through Sport Ireland, with a strengthened emphasis on participation pathways – particularly for women and girls – and on long-term planning across the sporting system.
Titled Level the Field: The role of Higher Education in Supporting Women in Sport across Ireland and Scotland, the event examined how higher education can address barriers to participation, support elite and grassroots pathways, and empower future female leaders. The event also highlighted the contribution of university-based research to improving outcomes for women and girls in sport. Working closely with sporting bodies, health agencies and policymakers, this research is informing practice and programme design both on campus and beyond.
Speaking about the event, Minister of State with special responsibility for Sport and Postal Policy, Charlie McConalogue TD, said:
“Sport plays a vital role in Irish society – from participation and wellbeing to performance and community connection. Recent record levels of Government investment through Sport Ireland reflect a clear commitment to strengthening those foundations, particularly in supporting women and girls to participate and progress in sport.
“Higher education institutions have a critical role to play in this effort. By supporting participation, developing talent, and embedding wellbeing and equality at the heart of the student experience, universities help turn national ambition into lived opportunity.”
President of Maynooth University, Professor Eeva Leinonen, said: “At Maynooth University, sport is central to the student experience. It supports physical and emotional wellbeing, builds confidence and belonging, and develops skills that last a lifetime.
“This International Women’s Day, Level the Field is about possibility – and about the unique power of sport to unite people across communities, cultures and borders. Through higher education, we can help ensure that women and girls are supported not only to participate in sport, but to lead, to thrive, and to shape its future.”
Role of National Sports Bodies
The programme featured a fireside conversation between Dr Úna May, Chief Executive of Sport Ireland, and Craig Burn, Director of Sport at sportscotland, exploring how national strategies, funding mechanisms and agency–university partnerships can strengthen women’s participation and performance from campus sport through to elite pathways.
Dr Úna May said: “Through the National Sports Policy and the Sports Action Plan, Sport Ireland places a strong emphasis on participation, equality and lifelong engagement in sport. Universities are essential delivery partners in achieving those aims, providing inclusive environments where participation, performance and wellbeing can develop together.”
Craig Burn added: “Ireland and Scotland share a strong sporting heritage and a common commitment to using sport as a positive force in society. Collaboration through higher education allows us to share learning, address barriers and create inclusive, high-performance environments that support women and girls to participate, progress and achieve.”
The programme also included a panel discussion featuring student and alumni voices from both Maynooth University and the University of Stirling, sharing their lived experience of sport at university level.
Cathy Gallagher, Executive Director of Sport at the University of Stirling, said: “Higher education has a critical role to play in ensuring that sport is inclusive, evidence-led and connected to wider societal goals. Partnerships between Ireland and Scotland demonstrate how research, education and collaboration can help level the field for women in sport.”
