Advancing gender equality in High Performance Sport : An international collaboration
The Institut National du Sport , de l ’ Expertise et de la Performance ( INSEP ) partnered with the Australian Institute of Sport ( AIS ) and the Sport Ireland Institute in a worldleading initiative to advance gender equality in high performance sport .
Funded by Erasmus , this structured knowledge-sharing program empowered women in elite sport from France , Ireland , Australia , and beyond .
Driving change
The initiative began with a planning meeting in September 2024 , a collaborative workshop with Sport Ireland Institute in October 2024 , followed by a Female Performance Conference at INSEP in November 2024 .
It culminated in a fiveday workshop at the AIS European Training Centre ( ETC ) in February 2025 with 27 participants , including high-performance leaders , researchers , and communication officers .
Delivering Outcomes
The initiative focused on four strategic areas : athletes , coaches , leadership , and performance support .
It fostered an environment of shared learning and strategic planning for gender equality in sport , delivering :
• An understanding of the AIS and Sport Ireland ’ s approaches to gender equality .
Shared insights and challenges across institutions .
• Actionable plans for INSEP to implement in France .
• Strengthened international collaboration through Memorandums of Understanding ( MOUs ).
Maximising impact
The initiative was designed to deliver maximum impact through :
• Program Structure and Planning : A meticulously designed agenda ensured that discussions aligned with existing initiatives .
• Leadership : Active participation from senior figures across the AIS , INSEP , and Sport Ireland reinforced the commitment to drive change .
• Storytelling : Media experts facilitated discussions on women ’ s representation in sport , with participants recording personal insights .
• Venue and Logistics : The AIS ETC provided an optimal setting for immersive learning and engagement .
• Facilitation : Expert facilitators ensured an interactive and collaborative experience for all participants .