Leading Provincial Females

The Gaelic Games Associations are delighted to offer the Leading Provincial Females programme, an initiative made possible by the Sport Ireland Women in Sport fund that provides a platform for women aged 18 and over from all four provinces to develop vital leadership skills within the Gaelic Games community

The programme, will run from February to November of this year (2026), with an extended break built into the schedule over the summer months, offers a unique blend of in-person workshops and online webinars, ensuring flexibility and accessibility for participants. Each participant will be required to attend three in-person workshops, all of which focus on developing and refining leadership skills irrespective of role or code from across the family of Gaelic games.

In addition to these interactive workshops, participants will again complete a minimum of four modules from key thematic strands: coaching, officiating, administration, and PR/Media. These modules are designed to equip the graduates with practical tools and knowledge for their current or future roles within Gaelic games, whether as coaches, match officials, administrators, or volunteers.

The successful applicants have been announced for the 2026 Gaelic Games ‘Leading Provincial Females’ Programmes, taking place in Connacht, Leinster, Munster, and Ulster.  

The 43 participants selected represent 23 counties and have commenced their leadership journeys.  

This 12-month programme, secured through the support of the Sport Ireland Women in Sport Fund, runs from February until November. The Leading Provincial Females programme is designed for females aged 18+ interested in personal development and potentially leading teams on and off the field.  

Throughout the year, participants will engage in four provincial programmes, each of which will consist of face-to-face sessions and online webinars, which will examine their leadership skills.  

A key feature of the programme includes three in-person days; one at the start of the programme, one at the midpoint, and one at the conclusion of the programme.  

These in-person sessions will focus on developing participants’ leadership skills, while also offering an opportunity for reflection and growth.  

Participants must also complete at least two modules from themes across the four strands of coaching, officiating, administration and PR/Media between each of those dates, minimum four in total.  

This is a blended course, consisting of face-to-face sessions and online webinars, and the benefits are multi-fold for participants.  

They will have the chance to engage with like-minded future leaders in Gaelic Games, while also gaining insight and understanding of their own leadership styles. Experienced leadership trainers will guide the participants through the programme, offering support and expertise to 
help develop their potential in Gaelic Games.  

This programme is for females who wish to develop and hone their leadership skills, while also furthering development as a coach, match official, administrator or any volunteer role in Gaelic Games.  

GAA President, Jarlath Burns, commented: “I am delighted to offer my congratulations to the remarkable group of women who make up the 2026 Leading Provincial Females cohort. Their commitment to personal development and their passion for contributing to Gaelic games at every level is truly inspiring. This programme reflects our ongoing effort to nurture leaders who will shape the future of our Associations — on the field, along the sidelines, and within our communities. These participants represent the very best of what volunteerism and leadership look like in our games, and I look forward to seeing the impact they will continue to make in the years ahead”   

GAA Handball President, Kevin Cooke, commented: “We are delighted to have Natasha Patrizi and Jenny Mahon representing GAA Handball in the Leading Provincial Females Programme. Developing female leadership across all areas of our sport is a key priority, and this initiative will play a major role in strengthening our future.  This programme marks an important step forward in empowering women across every level of our game. By focusing on coaching, officiating, administration and media, it recognises the vital role volunteers play in shaping a strong and inclusive future.  Crucially, this programme brings together all Gaelic games codes, creating a shared platform for collaboration, learning, and growth across our sporting community. By working collectively, we can take a more unified approach to developing female leaders while celebrating the unique strengths of each code.  We are committed to supporting and developing female leaders, providing them with the skills, confidence and opportunities to thrive. Through this programme, we aim to build a sustainable pathway that not only strengthens participation but ensures women’s voices are at the heart of decision-making across our sport.”