PURPOSE: This work presents the process involved in establishing an all island centre for research for women in sport (AICRWS) in Ireland that will lead, inform and share research to deliver evidence-based support for girls and women in sport.

METHODS: In January 2023, at least one representative, within the discipline of sport, was identified from 19 higher education institutes (HEIs) on the island of Ireland, to engage in a consultation process to develop an AICRWS.  This included several collective meetings, focus group discussions and a national survey across all HEIs to capture detail on the people and projects of women in sport in Ireland.  The initiative was overseen by a working group (all listed authors) and included engagement with national sporting bodies (Sport Ireland and Sport Northern Ireland) and other research and leadership specialists.

RESULTS: At the initial two meetings, focus group discussions were carried out to establish core themes around the development of the AICRWS.  There was strong consensus that the AICRWS should be underpinned by high quality, world leading, interdisciplinary research, cross institute leadership, dissemination and advocacy, which were all subsequently reflected in an agreed vision, mission and principles.  In addition, five proposed pillars were identified; research and data, practice and provision, education and communication, engagement and representation.  These pillars align with the strategic focus of national sporting bodies and ensure a research and applied focus for the AICRWS.   Over 70 individual researchers across 19 institutes responded to the survey with active and proposed research projects across a wide breadth of sport disciplines including physiology, sociology, biomechanics, psychology, sport management, leadership and coaching.  Collective meetings and individual follow ups facilitated discussion on opportunities, challenges, and leadership and operational structures that would best foster leadership and engagement across all HEIs.  This process ultimately led to an agreed ‘pathway towards an AICRWS’.  Finally, ‘platforms’, such as Female Athlete Performance and Health, where there was existing critical mass of research and cross institute engagement, were identified and supported as flagships for the AICRWS.  

CONCLUSION: This process is a ‘first’ in the discipline of sport for Ireland with cross institute and collegiate working to date being narrow in scope, relatively ad-hoc, and hindered by local and vested interests.  Our goal is to develop an all island AICRWS in Ireland that reflects and nurtures a demonstrable collective commitment, among researchers, policy makers and practitioners, to a shared goal of improving the experience of girls and women in sport.  

Disclosure: The authors have nothing to disclose.