COYGIG! NWC wishes Irish Football Team the best of luck as they make World Cup History

Published: Wednesday, July 19, 2023

The National Women’s Council voices their support for the Irish team as they face off against Australia in their opening match this Thursday

NWC has said the Irish team’s qualification for the World Cup is a monumental achievement - for this squad and for Irish women’s sports as a whole. This success comes only a few years after the Irish team were forced to threaten strike action citing poor working conditions, including limited access to team tracksuits, as well the loss of wages for non-professional players.

NWC director Orla O’Connor said:

“We are delighted to lend our full support to the Irish team on this historic occasion. In both their athleticism and their activism, they serve as inspirational role models for young women and girls, building a legacy that has changed the face of women’s sport in Ireland. This group of women have had to campaign tirelessly just to receive match fees and basic services, something their male counterparts have long been able to take for granted. It is wonderful to see them now being afforded the respect and resources they deserve, as they prepare for this opening match – the first time in history that an Irish team has qualified for the Women’s world cup.”

NWC staff and supporters will be attending a live screening of the match at Liberty Hall Theatre on Thursday to show their support. We want to extend our heartfelt best wishes to the squad and are greatly looking forward to cheering them on, both in this first game and throughout the tournament.

The opening game of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup will take place in the Sydney football stadium, with the Republic of Ireland taking on Australia. This is the first time in history that an Irish team has qualified for the women’s world cup.

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For comment: Orla O’Connor

For any other queries, please contact Catherine Hearn, NWC Communications and Digital Fundraising Officer, 087 1965300 or catherineh@nwci.ie

About NWC

The National Women’s Council is the leading national representative organisation for women and women’s groups in Ireland, founded in 1973. We have over 190 member groups and a large and growing community of individual supporters.

This year we celebrate 50 years since our foundation with a special calendar of events and campaigns.

The ambition of the National Women’s Council is an Ireland where every woman enjoys true equality and no woman is left behind. This ambition shapes and informs our work, and, with our living values, how we work.

We are a movement-building organisation rooted in our membership, working on the whole island of Ireland. We are also part of the international movement to protect and advance women’s and girls’ rights. Our purpose is to lead action for the achievement of women’s and girls’ equality through mobilising, influencing, and building solidarity. Find out more on www.nwci.ie