Time to celebrate ability and commit to creating equal futures for all in sport
By Geraldine McTavish
The positive impact of regular participation in sport and physical activity for people is clear – and it is no different for people with disabilities.
We already know sport can improve physical health and mental well-being, strengthen social connections, build self-confidence and self-esteem, and create more opportunities for skill development and personal growth.
But more needs to be done to make sure people with disabilities can access sport.
Yes, participation rates among people with disabilities have improved since 2017 - but it remains lower than the general population.
The Irish Sports Monitor, Sport Ireland’s long-established survey of sports participation, shows that 32% of people with disabilities play sport weekly, compared with 52% of those without. One in five people with disabilities are inactive each week, almost three times the rate of those without disabilities.
The National Sports Policy aims to raise participation among people with disabilities to 40% by 2027. As part of the drive to hit that target in 2022 Sport Ireland and Active Disability Ireland developed the Sport Inclusion Disability Charter.
As the state agency responsible for developing sport in Ireland, Sport Ireland has a leadership role to play in ensuring that the commitment and actions set out in the charter are delivered.
In November 2024 Sport Ireland launched a Statement of Commitment and Action to advance and promote the inclusion of people with a disability in sport across the country. And in February of this year, I took up the role of Disability in Sport Lead with Sport Ireland to oversee the implementation of that strategy.
It has been a busy first year. Some highlights were getting to support on major projects such as the Vision Impaired Sports Hub in Portlaoise, grassroots transitions with Paralympics Ireland, and board development with Deaf Sport Ireland.
And there have been meetings with Government Departments, National Governing Bodies (NGBs), Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs), and funded bodies. Some conversations were challenging, reflecting both the ambition and the urgency within the sector to do more. In some of them people told me that they wanted to do more and they wanted us to do more. So, we acknowledge that more needs to be done, and we are committed to doing it. But there is also a lot to celebrate in the sector, with some talented and dedicated people doing great work.
Which is part of the reason why this year, Sport Ireland launched the first-ever National Disability in Sport Week, a celebration of inclusion, leadership, and opportunity across Irish sport.
Under the theme “Celebrating Ability – Equal Access. Equal Voices. Equal Futures”, National Disability in Sport Week aims to highlight the achievements of athletes, coaches, and advocates with disabilities while reinforcing the principle that sport and physical activity are fundamental rights - open to everyone, everywhere.
Sport Ireland, through the Government, has significantly increased investment in disability sport in recent years. In 2024, €11.4m was allocated to LSPs, including €1.2m to fund Sports Inclusion Disability Officers in all 29 LSPs. This network plays a vital role in supporting grassroots participation and delivering inclusive programmes tailored to local needs.
We need to make sure opportunities are available to all disabled people, whatever their disability or level of support need.
Across sport, there are many great examples of programmes that have been adapted or designed specifically so disabled people can take part. There are also strong examples of fully inclusive approaches, where disabled and non‑disabled people participate together. These models should be recognised, shared, and built on.
We are going to continue to invest in high-performance pathways – we provided over €2.8m to Paralympics Ireland for the Paris cycle and are supporting disability-specific NGBs such as Special Olympics Ireland, Irish Wheelchair Association Sport, Vision Sports Ireland, and Deaf Sports Ireland.
We will foster strategic partnerships that embed inclusive practice in governance and everyday operations, while highlighting disabled athletes as role models and ensuring all campaigns are accessible and representative.
Our focus on access will see continued improvements in facilities, transport links, and funding to grow inclusive programmes nationwide.
At the same time, we will build capacity across the sector by expanding training and education opportunities for coaches and volunteers, ensuring that inclusion becomes a shared value and lived experience in every sporting environment.
Sport Ireland is committed to taking a leadership role and fostering collaboration within the sport sector. This entails continually enhancing our understanding of the barriers to disability participation in sport and physical activity.
We are going to seek out and invest in funding opportunities to develop sustainable participation opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
Through proactive leadership and strategic partnerships, we aim to create lasting impact and meaningful change in the realm of disability sports.
Sport Ireland calls on communities, clubs, and organisations to join us in celebrating ability and committing to creating equal futures for all in sport.
Geraldine McTavish is Sport Ireland Disability in Sport Lead. Sport Ireland Disability in Sport Week 2025 (Spórt Éireann Seachtain Míchumais sa Spórt 2025), takes place from December 1st to 7th, and celebrates the theme: “Celebrating Ability” / “Ag Ceiliúradh Cumas”.