How important is visibility for female athletes, and what impact does it have on participation?
Visibility is huge for female athletes, and it’s one of the key factors that drives participation in sports. When we see women succeeding on big stages, it gives young girls real role models to look up to. Seeing women excel, whether it’s in basketball, ladies’ football, or track, tells them, “I can do this too,” and that’s powerful.
On a more practical level, visibility also means more sponsorships and funding for women’s sports, which leads to better opportunities for athletes. It’s like a cycle—when female athletes get more attention, they get better pay, better facilities, and more chances to compete, which, in turn, encourages more women to join in.
Another thing is that visibility creates a community around women’s sports. It brings in fans, support, and an atmosphere where women feel like they belong and can thrive. Without that visibility, it can feel like there’s not enough attention on women’s sports, and that can discourage both players and fans.
Have you noticed a change in how women’s sport is promoted and covered in the media?
Absolutely, there’s definitely been a shift in how women’s sports are promoted and covered in the media over the last few years. While there’s still a long way to go, we’re seeing more and more attention being given to female athletes and women’s sports in general.
For example, Lidl’s sponsorship of ladies’ football has been a huge boost for the sport. In basketball, TG4 now broadcasts both the Cup and Champions Trophy for both men and women live on TV. Looking beyond Ireland, women’s college basketball in the U.S. is now receiving sponsorship opportunities that were once rare. Prominent players like Paige Bueckers and JuJu Watkins are now sponsored by major brands like Nike, reflecting the growing promotion and recognition of female athletes in the sport. Caitlin Clark has been a game-changer in promoting women’s basketball, both on and off the court. Her impact has increased visibility and media coverage of the game, drawing more attention to women’s sports as a whole.
What can be done at a local level to increase the visibility of female athletes in Carlow?
To boost the visibility of female athletes in Carlow, there are a lot of things we can do at the local level. For starters, local media outlets like newspapers and radio stations could do a lot more to cover women’s sports. Regular features or even just highlights of local women’s teams and athletes could help raise awareness and show the community the incredible talent that’s here.
Another big factor is encouraging female players to continue participating in their sport. Young girls look up to different female players across Carlow, and by these adult players continuing to play, they inspire the next generation. One of my first memories of basketball was heading to the arena to watch the National Cup finals, where Glanmire was playing. Fast forward 10 years, and I found myself on the court, playing in the National Cup finals with Glanmire. That’s the impact of visibility—it plants a seed of aspiration.
Who was a female role model in sport that inspired you, and why?
I’ve had a few role models who I really looked up to growing up. First, I’d say Aine McKenna and Casey Grace, who both played for Glanmire when I was younger. They each have eight National Cups to their name, and I used to watch them play at the National Basketball Arena while I was still with Old Leighlin Basketball Club. Getting the chance to play alongside them and win a cup with them felt like a dream come true. They’re both incredible women, and I still look up to them today, even though we’re now close friends.
I also have to mention the Old Leighlin ladies’ football team from when I first started playing senior football. Women like Eleanor, Phil, Michelle, and Roisin were so encouraging when I was young, and they had a huge impact on me.