Sky today announced the return of the ‘Sky WNT Fund’ for the third year – reaffirming its commitment to supporting the growth and development of Republic of Ireland Women's National Team (WNT) players, both on and off the pitch.
The Sky WNT Fund is a €25,000 bursary, open to Women’s National Team players, to aid their academic, professional and post-football career ambitions. In addition to the Fund, Sky will be providing expert speakers throughout 2024, who will be available to deliver talks focused on career advancement and business insight – with the aim of empowering squad members to achieve success and prepare for lives beyond football.
Great event with @SkyIreland to mark #IWD2023 & launch the Sky WNT Fund.Extra special to have past& present trailblazers of Irish women's football together @FAIreland___ @FAIWomen @verapauw @Aineogor9 Michelle O Neill @OliviaOToole8 Jackie McCarty, Linda Gorman, Paula Gorman https://t.co/rALfNO0KWm
— Eileen Gleeson (@GleesonEileen) March 8, 2023
Speaking about the Sky WNT Fund, Sky Ireland’s Chief Commercial Officer, Orlaith Ryan, said:
"We are incredibly proud to renew the Sky WNT Fund for another year. This initiative goes beyond the game, recognising the individual talents and ambitions of our WNT players. Since coming onboard as sponsor in 2021, we have seen immense growth in the squad – not only with their record-breaking achievements on the pitch, but with their success off it too.
“Our partnership with the WNT has always been about doing everything we can to empower these talented players to achieve their full potential. That commitment doesn’t stop with football. They dedicate so much time to the green jersey, that studies and future planning can be difficult. The Sky WNT Fund goes someway to helping players with that."
Past recipients of the Sky WNT Fund include Hayley Nolan, who is using the funding to further develop Sleek N Easy, the company she co-founded with her sister, Katie. Ruesha Littlejohn, a 2023 recipient, used funding to further develop her own YouTube channel RueTube and the equipment needed to bring it to the next level.
The 2023 Fund recipients – Ruesha Littlejohn, Hayley Nolan, Niamh Fahey, Louise Quinn, and Rianna Jarrett – exemplify the diverse potential the initiative unlocks, with funds supporting endeavours ranging from sports science to business ventures.
Sky WNT Fund recipient and WNT player, Hayley Nolan, said: "Being selected for the Sky WNT Bursary was a game-changer for my business Sleek N Easy. The Sleek N Easy hair mascara is a hair finishing stick designed to create sleek hairstyles and tame fly away baby hairs. The financial support has been instrumental in allowing me to dedicate more time and energy to growing the Sleek N Easy business, alongside my sister Katie."
🔥 Here’s looking at you kid (s) 🤩
☘️ Ruesha Littlejohn spoke with us after Wales beat Ireland 2-0 in Tallaght Stadium on Tuesday, explaining that the future is bright for the WNT.
Who’s your favourite young player? Let us know ⬇️ #irelandwnt #RueshaLittlejohn #womensfootball pic.twitter.com/M7JMA8ORZ8— Her Sport (@HerSportDotIE) February 29, 2024
Niamh Fahey added: “I was incredibly grateful to be chosen for the 2023 Sky WNT Fund. This support is invaluable as I continue my MBA research at Liverpool John Moores University. Balancing football and academics can be challenging, but the Sky WNT Fund helps ease that burden and allows me to fully focus on both my studies and playing career at an elite level.”
Open to WNT squad members, the application process for the 2024 Sky WNT Fund is now underway. Players are asked to complete a short online form, outlining their chosen path and how the bursary will contribute to their goals. Applications for the Sky WNT Fund will be reviewed by Sky and FAI representatives and recipients will be awarded this summer.
