St. Brigid's Day in Lyon
A Celebration of Women's Achievements in Sport
The Irish Consulate in Lyon, in partnership with the City of Lyon and Sport Ireland, marked St. Brigid’s Day with a high-level programme focused on women in sport.
Several prominent Irish and French sportswomen engaged in an exchange on the challenges encountered and lessons learned on their individual paths to success, as well as shared their hopes for the future of women in sport.
The panel discussions brought together Julie Nublat Faure, Deputy Mayor of Lyon for Sport, Nora Stapleton, former Irish rugby international and Sport Ireland Women in Sport lead, Hannah Craig, Olympic finalist in canoeing and Sport Ireland Women in Sport Manager, Anna Caplice former Irish rugby international and player coach at La Rochelle, Angélina Lanza, French Paralympic athlete and European Champion, Paoline Salagnac, former French basketball international and current Director of Sports at Lyon’s basketball women’s team, as well as Garance Merle and Lyna Abdallah, players at LOU Rugby women’s team.
The discussion highlighted the need for more opportunities for women in leadership, decision-making and governance in sport.
During intermission, renowned Irish soprano Helen Kearns performed a collection of Irish melodies accompanied at the piano by French pianist Francois Dumont.
To conclude the soirée, attendees were invited to view the exhibition Blazing a Trail: Lives and Legacies of Irish Diaspora Women displayed for the first time in Lyon.
On the second day of celebration, a technical workshop took place which saw policy makers representing both Sport Ireland and the City of Lyon exchange views on how to encourage the inclusion and strategic development of women in sport through policy.