Through Sport Ireland’s Women in Sport Programme, funding is being used to support initiatives that remove barriers to participation and create more opportunities for women and girls to get involved in sport. In 2026, €4 million has been invested nationally through the programme. Within Irish Sailing, the Women on the Water initiative has provided funding to clubs to develop projects that encourage greater female participation, retention and progression. This year, 28 clubs received Women in Sport funding, with support available for areas including leadership, youth participation, racing and grassroots programmes.
One example of how this funding can translate directly into participation is Galway Bay Sailing Club. Using its Women on the Water grant, the club is running a ‘Try Sailing’ initiative aimed at introducing women who have never sailed before to the sport. Local cruiser members will take participants out for a sail around Galway Bay before returning to the clubhouse for brunch, creating an informal and welcoming first experience on the water. The response is already strong, with more than 50 non-members expressing an interest in taking part.
And the initiative does not stop with a one-day sailing experience. Following the event, Galway Bay Sailing Club plans to offer free beginner keelboat classes, using the grant funding to provide a pathway from that first experience on the water towards continued participation and, ultimately, club membership.
This is exactly how targeted funding can make a difference in Irish Sailing clubs. An event like this can introduce women to sailing in a relaxed environment, remove some of the barriers associated with trying a new sport and create a clear next step for those who want to continue. For clubs considering how they can use Women on the Water funding, Galway Bay Sailing Club provides a strong example of how an idea can move from a single ‘try sailing’ day into a longer-term pathway for women to become sailors, members and active participants in club life.