2026 Funded Research & Evaluation Projects

Creating inclusive physical activity opportunities benefits people with disabilities by improving wellbeing and community connection. Yet, participation remains low. This project will evaluate Local Sports Partnerships in four counties, using mixed methods to assess impact, participant experiences, and delivery challenges. Findings will guide future decisions to ensure disability is not a barrier to sport.

This research aims to empower people with disabilities in sport and community life by fostering confidence, skills, and leadership opportunities. Using surveys and interviews, it will explore perceptions of empowerment, barriers, and enabling supports. Findings will guide inclusive pathways for leadership, advocacy, and volunteering, ensuring people with disabilities can actively contribute and feel valued.

This study examines how athletes and coaches perceive and experience body composition in performance settings. Through qualitative interviews, it explores beliefs, pressures, and contextual factors shaping current practices, as well as barriers to welfare-focused approaches. Findings will inform evidence-based resources and interventions that promote healthier, more effective body composition management, reducing risks like low energy availability and relative energy deficiencies.

This qualitative evaluation explores barriers and enablers to Irish Traveller participation in Boxing Ireland clubs, which have long served marginalised communities. Understanding how clubs support engagement can inform strategies to reduce inequities affecting this minority ethnic group. Findings will have implications beyond sport, influencing health and education approaches for disadvantaged populations.

The LINKS Project supports recovery from substance use in Kilrush and West Clare by using physical activity to foster social reintegration, community connection, and mental health. Operating since 2020 in a highly disadvantaged area, it works one-to-one and with groups to build confidence and wellbeing. This evaluation will assess its impact from inception through 2026.

This mixed-methods study will co-design and evaluate a 12-week exercise programme for adolescent girls, combining resistance, aerobic, and plyometric training with education on bone health and nutrition. Physiological and psychosocial outcomes will be assessed pre- and post-intervention, with a six-month follow-up. Findings will inform sustainable strategies to promote lifelong participation in bone-strengthening activities.

Fencing After Breast Cancer adapts fencing techniques to aid recovery post-mastectomy, improving mobility, confidence, and quality of life. In partnership with European experts, the project will train Irish coaches, co-design a national programme, and evaluate outcomes. Beyond physical rehabilitation, it fosters social connection and resilience, positioning Ireland as a leader in integrating sport into cancer recovery care.

This project explores why adolescent girls feel unsafe exercising, focusing on social and cultural factors. Transition Year girls in Kilkenny will join the Strong and Ready programme, combining self-defence-based resistance training with creative ownership activities. The study assesses programme feasibility, impact on confidence, comfort, physical competence, and attitudes toward physical activity, culminating in a celebratory event.

This study explores the challenges faced by female Gaelic players returning postpartum and aims to fill the current support gap in Irish sport. Using a national survey, it will examine physical, psychosocial, and identity-related demands. Findings will inform an evidence-based Postpartum Return-to-Play Toolkit with resources and guidelines for players, coaches, and clubs to enhance health and retention.

This evaluation assesses the impact of the Sláintecare-funded Prime Time of Life programme on physical activity, fitness, wellbeing, and return on investment among middle-aged and older adults across multiple counties. Findings will inform the development of a practical evaluation toolkit to standardise testing, guide evidence-based programme delivery, enhance effectiveness, and support strategic planning for scalable, sustainable physical activity initiatives.

Adolescent sport participation benefits wellbeing, yet only 7% of Irish teenage girls meet activity guidelines. Building on prior studies of parents’ perceptions, this research will focus on adolescent girls’ own experiences, exploring factors influencing participation and satisfaction in Gaelic sports to inform inclusive strategies.

This project will co-design and pilot a culturally tailored physical activity programme with Traveller and Roma communities to address health inequalities and barriers to exercise. Collaborating with community representatives and health services, the programme will be tested and evaluated for impact on activity, health, and wellbeing. Findings will guide sustainable, inclusive service delivery and reduce health disparities.

The GAA All-Stars Initiative offers inclusive Gaelic games for children with additional needs. This mixed-methods evaluation in County Louth will survey clubs and interview coaches, parents, and coordinators to identify successes and challenges. Findings will inform an evidence-based toolkit to help clubs replicate the programme, ensuring its sustainability and expansion for children with disabilities.

The Stronger for Longer programme encourages adults over 50 to engage in strength and conditioning exercises to combat age-related muscle loss, mobility issues, and chronic disease risk. This evaluation will assess the programme’s effectiveness, inclusivity, and accessibility to inform future improvements, expansion strategies, and decisions for promoting lifelong physical activity among older adults.

Triathlon Ireland is piloting mixed-ability triathlon programmes integrating athletes with and without intellectual disabilities at community club level. This year-long study will assess personal and social outcomes using validated measures, interviews, and observations. Findings will inform inclusive coaching practices, foster positive environments, and guide Triathlon Ireland’s long-term strategy for inclusion in mainstream sport.