Sporting Pride, Ireland’s leading LGBTQ+ sports non-profit, has launched its 2025–2027 strategy, which plans to break down barriers and foster greater LGBTQ+ inclusivity in sports.

The organisation’s ambitious vision advocates for Ireland to become the most inclusive sporting community in the world, ensuring that everyone has equal opportunities to engage in sport. The strategy promises to engage key Irish government policies, including the National Sports Policy 2018–2027, Sport Ireland’s Diversity and Inclusion Policy, the LGBTI+ Youth Strategy, and the Healthy Ireland Framework.

Sporting Pride also plans to expand leadership in LGBTQ+ sporting events, strengthening relationships and advocacy, and continue to build strong partnerships and expand funding for inclusion initiatives.

The three-year strategy comes during a critical time for LGBTQ+ athletes since current research demonstrates that more than 75% of people in Ireland have witnessed homophobia in sports. Nearly 20% of LGBTQ+ people avoid sports completely due to fear of discrimination. Despite the physical, mental, and social benefits of sports, LGBTQ+ individuals continue to face significant challenges, including a lack of visible role models and homophobia from fans and teammates.

Aidan Walsh, Co-Chair of Sporting Pride, described the strategy as a crucial step in ensuring that sport is a space for everyone.

“This isn’t just a strategy—it’s a call to action. Our 40-plus LGBTQIA+ sports clubs have provided vital safe spaces, but more needs to be done,” Walsh said. “By strengthening partnerships with Sport Ireland, National Governing Bodies, and Local Sports Partnerships, we can break down barriers and ensure that LGBTQIA+ people feel fully included in sport, from grassroots participation to leadership roles.”

Since Sporting Pride was established in 2018, the organisation has played a transformative role in Irish sport. LGBTQ+ sports clubs in Ireland have increased from 15 to over 40, and the organisation has created partnerships with over 30 National Governing Bodies and Local Sports Partnerships, engaging more than 2,000 participants annually since 2022.

Dwyne Hill, CEO of Pitch and Putt Ireland, said their collaboration with Sporting Pride has strengthened the sport’s commitment to inclusivity and increased diversity within its membership. Flavio Santos of Bravo Volleyball shared that their collaboration has helped the club expand and build stronger ties with Volleyball Ireland.

The organisation is dedicated to advancing LGBTQ+ inclusion in Irish sport, and the new strategy offers a clear roadmap to create a future where everyone feels safe, welcomed, and empowered to take part in sport at all levels. Their work routinely earns positive feedback, and one participant from Sporting Pride’s Learn to Swim Programme described the experience as transformative, saying that for the first time in their life, they felt safe and welcomed in a sporting environment.

In 2024, Sporting Pride hosted over 35 events, secured major funding grants, including the Dormant Accounts Fund and the Tesco Community Fund, and represented Ireland at the EuroGames in Bern and Vienna. Sporting Pride’s Stakeholder Engagement Lead, Martin Murray, said: “We are hoping that 2027 will be our largest year yet representing Ireland at the Eurogames as it will be held in Wales in 2027.”

As the organisation embarks on its next phase, Walsh emphasised that the strategy is not just a plan but a promise to Ireland’s LGBTQ+ community: “We believe in the power of sport to unite, inspire, and transform lives. Together, we can build a sporting culture where every LGBTQIA+ person feels seen, heard, and valued.”