Public Support for Equal Funding in Women’s Sports in Ireland

A recent survey by Amarach Research, commissioned by dmg Media, has found that 67% of people in Ireland advocate for equal funding for women’s sports compared to men’s sports. The results underline a significant shift in public opinion towards greater investment in female athletics.

Survey Insights

The survey revealed that support for equal funding is particularly strong among women, with 82% in favor, while a smaller but notable 51% of men endorse the same sentiment. Additionally, 12% of respondents indicated uncertainty regarding the issue.

Interest in Women’s Sports

When exploring the public’s interest in women’s sports, 36% expressed a desire to watch women’s events. However, this enthusiasm wanes when it comes to actual attendance, with only 15% of those surveyed having attended a women’s sporting event in the last year.

Attendance Records and Trends

In recent years, various sports in Ireland have witnessed record-breaking attendance figures:

• The Irish women’s rugby team attracted large crowds during the Six Nations matches, including nearly 8,000 attendees at Virgin Media Park for their game against England.
• The Republic of Ireland’s women’s football team drew an impressive 35,994 spectators at their debut match at Aviva Stadium against Northern Ireland.
• In GAA, ladies’ Gaelic football saw over 50,000 fans attending the All-Ireland Final in 2019.
• Camogie aims to reach over 50,000 attendees for its finals, with previous attendance records set at 33,154.

Driving Factors for Engagement

To further boost interest in women’s sports, 40% of survey respondents believe that increased media coverage could play a crucial role. “A greater media presence will encourage more people to back women’s sport in Ireland,” noted Caitriona Byrne, Sales Manager for EVOKE, a dmg media brand.

The surge in media attention surrounding events like the Republic of Ireland women’s team at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup has demonstrated that viewership can soar significantly with proper promotion. For instance, their opening match against Australia attracted over half a million viewers on RTÉ, exceeding the viewership of many men’s Six Nations games.

Popularity by Sport

Among the various women’s sports, soccer emerged as the most followed, with 29% of survey participants indicating that they regularly watch it. Following closely were athletics and Gaelic football at 27%, rugby at 23%, and both camogie and boxing at 21%.

Partnerships Promoting Women’s Sports

dmg Media has built partnerships with several major female sporting organizations over the past decade, including the FAI, IRFU, Cricket Ireland, and the Camogie Association. These collaborations aim to bolster the visibility of women athletes and their stories across various media platforms, including digital and print.

“Getting eyeballs on games brings the sports to life, giving us a connection with teams and athletes, and ultimately grows the appetite,” Byrne continued. The organization’s ongoing support for female sports illustrates their commitment to providing quality content that engages sports fans.

Conclusion

The survey reflects a growing public desire for equality in sports funding and coverage. As attendance at women’s sporting events increases and media interest grows, there is a clear pathway for enhancing the profile of women’s athletics in Ireland.

For detailed survey results, explore the full findings below: