Ms Mary O'Connor:

The most popular thing you can do in any sport is to play and the next popular thing to do possibly is the coaching. The least popular thing is always a throw-up between officiating or a chairpersonship because they can be difficult at times. Not to be flippant about it but research in respect of female participation, in particular around refereeing and officiating, has been undertaken. It is something about which more developed work needs to be completed. I am aware that Ms Stapleton has started some work on that but I have mentioned previously that from a coaching point of view, we need to start the talent identification of individuals, be they administrators, referees or coaches, from a young age. We have also mentioned third level sport and the governance that they may also have in that regard. This talent identification will provide them with the opportunity to go along a pathway to ensure they will be upskilled and supported because, as I outlined at the very start of my statement, the reports tell us it is sometimes a question of confidence when it comes to women and girls in sport taking up any position, be it as a referee officiating and so on. More work needs to be done in that regard but I am sure that Ms Stapleton will have more detail on this point.