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Irish Post
26-06-2025
- Health
- Irish Post
Call to action as new research reveals barriers to disability sports in Ireland
NEW research has revealed striking inequalities in access to Para sports in Ireland. The report found girls and those who become disabled in later life face more challenging pathways when attempting to access disability sports. The far-reaching study, a collaboration between the University of Limerick and Paralympics Ireland, examined the lived experience of Para athletes and coaches across the country. It found that girls with disabilities begin participating in Para sport nearly a decade later than boys. The finding 'points to a stark gender disparity that limits early engagement' the report authors state. The study also found that individuals with acquired disabilities face significantly more obstacles to participation than those with congenital disabilities. Pictured at the launch (l-r) Dr Seán Healy, research assistant Alan Dineen, Paralympics Ireland COO Neasa Russell, Disability Minister Hildegarde Naughton, Limerick Councillor Frankie Daly, the University of Limerick's Professor Elaine Murtagh and Dr Ian Sherwin (Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile) Despite these challenges, the report highlighted the 'profound impact' of Para sport in improving physical and mental health, fostering independence, and enhancing quality of life for participants. The report calls for better use of the untapped potential of schools, families, and rehabilitation settings as entry points into sport. These environments, the study finds, are 'critical to long-term engagement but remain underutilised'. The research also calls for 'targeted investment in local programmes, increased access to trained coaches, and improved availability of adaptive equipment to create more inclusive sporting opportunities across Ireland'. Ireland's Disability Minister, Hildegarde Naughton attended the launch of the report, titled Gateways & Pathways: Athlete and Coach Experiences of Para Sport in Ireland, at the University of Limerick this month. 'Sport and physical activity is crucial for the health and wellbeing of our society, she said. 'I am a firm believer that all people should have the right to enjoy sport which brings so much to all our lives. 'It keeps us healthy, and it is the backbone of our communities.' She added: 'Despite recent and welcome progress, there remains an enduring participation gap between persons with a disability and those living without such challenges. 'The research we are publishing today will form a critical part of how we will continue to work together, as a government and a sporting community, to break down barriers to sport.' Dr Sean Healy, who was the lead researcher on the project, said that the findings of their study must be a catalyst for change. 'This research is a call to action,' he said. 'By identifying where the system is falling short, we now have the opportunity to reshape how Para sport is delivered in this country.' He added: 'The recommendations offer a clear roadmap for making sport more inclusive, equitable, and impactful for people with disabilities.' Neasa Russell, Paralympics Ireland's Chief Operating Officer, said the findings reinforce what was 'already felt' among the Para sports community. 'This research shines a powerful light on both the barriers and the opportunities within Irish Para sport,' she said. 'It confirms what many in our community have long felt – that access is unequal, especially for girls and for those who acquire a disability later in life. 'But it also highlights the transformative role sport can play when those barriers are removed.' She added: 'Our job now is to act on these findings and ensure that every person with a disability, regardless of gender, age, or background, has a clear and supported pathway into sport. 'That is the vision we are committed to delivering.' Paralympics Ireland and University of Limerick will now begin working with key stakeholders to explore steps to implement the report's recommendations. See More: Barriers, Disability, Ireland, Para Sports, Report
Irish Times
25-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Lack of facilities and high costs among barriers excluding people with disabilities from sport
New research undertaken by Paralympics Ireland has found that people with disabilities in Ireland are almost twice as likely to be sedentary, with only one in three taking part in sport. The report, titled Gateways & Pathways: Athlete and Coach Experiences of Para Sport, also shows a huge gender disparity in terms of accessing sport – with 12.6 years of age being the average for males, but for females that jumps almost a decade to 21.2 years. The report, a collaboration between Paralympics Ireland and the University of Limerick , interviewed 18 para athletes and 15 coaches. This was accompanied by an electronic survey of a further 123 athletes. Among the main barriers to participation included a lack of facilities, high costs, inadequate equipment and requiring help from others. READ MORE The report comes just nine months after Team Ireland won six medals at the Paralympic Games in Paris – one gold, three silver and two bronze. Cyclist Katie-George Dunlevy , swimmer Róisín Ní Ríain and sprinter Orla Comerford all brought home medals. Most participants involved in the research lived with their parents and siblings (70.6 per cent), while others lived with a partner (17.6 per cent), a sibling (5.9 per cent) or alone (5.6 per cent). In terms of employment status, half of the participants were in paid employment while 27.8 per cent were students. 'This research shines a powerful light on both the barriers and the opportunities within Irish Para sport,' said Neasa Russell, chief operations officer of Paralympics Ireland. 'It confirms what many in our community have long felt – that access is unequal, especially for girls and for those who acquire a disability later in life. But it also highlights the transformative role sport can play when those barriers are removed. 'Our job now is to act on these findings and ensure that every person with a disability, regardless of gender, age or background, has a clear and supported pathway into sport. That is the vision we are committed to delivering.' A central theme of the report is the untapped potential of schools, families and rehabilitation settings as entry points into sport. In particular, it shows that schools could be better utilised in terms of guiding kids with disabilities towards sport. Only 19.5 per cent of participants were introduced to para sport by a teacher or through school and just 2.2 per cent of girls reported playing a para sport in school. 'Schools were a missed opportunity in many athletes' journeys,' states the report. 'Qualitative data highlighted both the potential, but extreme lack of, Para sport in schools. 'Teachers, especially physical educators, and special needs assistants could play a stronger role in connecting students with local Para sport opportunities. With structured support and resources, schools can become key access points, particularly for younger children and those less likely to encounter Para sport elsewhere. 'To fully leverage the physical educators in this regard, increasing their knowledge about Para sport via pre-service education or professional development will be crucial.' Athletes involved in Para sport said participation enhanced their physical and mental wellbeing. The findings of the research will now shape Paralympics Ireland's efforts to reduce the disparities in sport participation among people with disabilities.
Irish Examiner
25-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
New research project reveals untapped potential of Para sport in Ireland
A new report has revealed the barriers and the opportunities which exist within disability sport in Ireland. Gateways & Pathways: Athlete and Coach Experiences of Para Sport in Ireland was launched by Paralympics Ireland in partnership the University of Limerick on Wednesday. Para sport athletes with congenital disabilities reported starting in their sport far later in life than non-Para athletes. For boys, it was at an average age of 12.6 years old and for girls much later at 21 years. "This delayed entry can limit skill development and hinder long-term participation, as well as depriving the individual of the benefits of Para sport at a younger age," the report states. That gender gap is also evident in how girls compared to boys were introduced to para sport: 9.3% vs 25% through schools; 2.3% vs 18.8% through siblings; and 11.6% vs 35% through rehabilitation centres, physiotherapists or physicians. Athletes with acquired disabilities were far more likely to report experiencing barriers to participation compared to those with congenital disabilities, averaging 5.4 barriers compared to three. "Entry into Para sport is often more complex for those with acquired disabilities, and current structures appear to be inadequate to meet their needs," the report says. Schools were found to be a missed opportunity for introductions to Para sport with less than one-fifth of participants beginning their sporting journey through a teacher or school. The report states that with proper structures and supports, schools could become a key access point to Para sport. A lack of access to programmes and facilities was reported as a barrier by 30.9% while 27.6% said it hindered their ongoing participation. Those based outside cities reported an "overall lack of local Para sport options and the need to travel long distances to participate". The development of new clubs will be critical in improving the situation. 25% of athletes said they lacked regular coaching support with 15.3% training on their own and another 9.9% training with other athletes but without a coach. "A multitude of promising 'sources' of Para coaches were also mentioned in the interviews," the report states, "including retired athletes, parents, and non-Para coaches – but no formal initiative appears to be in place to fully leverage these groups to increase the number of coaches in the Para sport system. Coaches also spoke of feeling isolated, underappreciated and unrecognised efforts to remedy this should be explored also. There is a clear need for a national strategy to recruit, develop, and retain Para sport coaches." There were also found to be many positives associated with disability sport in Ireland, ones which makes the opportunities even greater. "The impact of Para sport went far beyond health and well-being," the report says. "Most athletes cited improved independence, self-confidence, and social connection, to name but a few, as benefits that kept them involved in Para sport. Benefits such as travel, a sense of accomplishment, and belonging were frequently cited as key motivators also. "Interviewees also spoke about the importance of being with others who share similar lived experiences of having a disability; for many interviewees, Para sport was the first setting in which this occurred. "There is a need to raise awareness of the transformative potential of Para sport for all people with disabilities beyond the typical benefits associated with sport. Greater recognition of these wider impacts can help drive increased participation among athletes and coaches, while also building broader support for Para sport across Irish society."
RTÉ News
25-06-2025
- Health
- RTÉ News
Research shows significant gender disparity in para sport
New research into disability sports has found there is a significant gender disparity when it comes to participation in such activities. The study shows that girls begin para sports nearly a decade later than boys. The report also identifies a number of obstacles when it comes to participation, with cost, lack of facilities and other infrastructural absences making it more difficult for those with a physical or visual impairment to access sporting activities. The research is a collaboration between Paralympics Ireland and the University of Limerick. It is being launched at an event at UL this afternoon, by Minister for Disabilities Hildegarde Naughton. 'Athlete and Coach Experiences of Para Sport Gateways and Pathways in Ireland' has been billed as a pivotal moment in the campaign to build a more inclusive, responsive and sustainable para sport infrastructure. The research takes in the views and experiences of around 150 athletes. It shows that girls with congenital disabilities, on average, engage in sport for the first time when they are over 21, compared with an age of 12 and half for boys. Those with acquired disabilities report more barriers than those with congenital disabilities, and impediments in terms of coaching and facilities are a constant bugbear. As well as identifying the challenges faced when it comes to access and participation, the authors say they have also provided a blueprint for further development. The study says this will require collaboration and structured approaches among local sports groups, those working in the disability sector, and governing bodies at a national level. It calls for increased funding, particularly away from large urban centres, to ensure coaching, equipment and facilities are made available to encourage greater take up of para sports. The report says involvement in para sport has an overwhelmingly positive impact on the lives of those involved, improving physical and mental health, promoting personal independence and helping to broaden horizons and provide connections to others living with a disability. One of its authors, Dr Séan Healy, said the findings provided a "clear roadmap for making sport more inclusive, equitable, and impactful for people with disabilities." Minister Naughton said she was committed to ensuring that the report would be used to encourage greater participation, citing the multiple benefits this would bring to people with disabilities all over the country. She described the study as a critical part of an effort to break down barriers. Chief Operating Officer Paralympics Ireland Neasa Russell said that anecdotally it was known that there had "definitely been a drop off" since the pandemic of participation by people with a disability "accessing and developing sport." She said that just one-third of people with disabilites "regularly partake" in sport, compared with 50% of those without disabilities. Speaking on RTÉ's News at One, she said that we know that Covid had a profound impact on people's ability to access sport, "and unfortunately at the moment, people with disabilities are twice as likely to be sedentary. "When we stand back and look at that from a Paralympic Ireland, para-sport and Team Ireland perspective, we're looking at where is our next generation of athletes coming from. "But more importantly, where are our role models, and how are we really benefitting the disability community by making sure that there is enough access and entry points and awareness of those for the disability community itself," she said. Ms Russell said the research uncovered that at the first stage of participation quite a stark difference between when males would typically "get into para-sport, which is around age 12, but for females it's actually age 21." She said it found that the "signposting" to para sport from family and friends is "quite different." "So actually about 20% of males would have been signposted to para-sport through their friends and family, yet only 2% of females. "Similarly in school ... 25% of male athletes would be signposted to para-sport, only 9% of females." Ms Russell said the figures for signposting from medical and heathcare professionals was 35% for males and 11% for females. "We definitely have a little bit more work to do to understand what's going on here, and indeed start to rectify it," she said.
RTÉ News
25-06-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Most in-depth research on Para-Sport launched
The most in depth piece of research ever conducted into Para sport has been published this lunchtime. To discuss this; Neasa Russell, Chief Operating Officer with Paralympics Ireland. joins Rachael.
