Irish Embassy Hosts Launch of She Plays Luxembourg Initiative

On Thursday 5 February 2026, the Embassy of Ireland in Luxembourg hosted the launch of the volunteer-led initiative “She Plays Luxembourg” at the Foyer Européen in Luxembourg-Gare.

The initiative aims to support girls in remaining involved in sport throughout their teenage years and beyond by working with sports clubs, federations, institutions and community partners. Its approach is based on partnerships that strengthen existing structures, while promoting visibility, a sense of belonging and long-term participation in sport.

The launch event, which was also held in connection with St Brigid’s Day, brought together around 60 guests and was led by the Ambassador of Ireland to Luxembourg, Jean McDonald. In her opening remarks, she highlighted the role of sport in fostering social cohesion and international connections, noting that Ireland launched an international sports diplomacy strategy last year recognising “the unique power of sport to bring different nations and cultures closer together”.

Referring to recent studies, the ambassador also drew attention to declining participation among teenage girls, citing figures showing that 45% of post-primary girls in Ireland do not take part in community sport, while only 7% of girls aged fourteen to fifteen meet recommended daily physical activity levels, underlining the relevance of initiatives such as She Plays Luxembourg.

Members of the initiative team presented the project’s four key pillars, focused on turning objectives into action. These include events and visibility, such as workshops for coaches and awareness campaigns promoting female role models, as well as a Female Ambassador Programme involving teenage girls from partner clubs.

The initiative further includes ShePlays Labelling, encouraging clubs to commit to supportive environments for girls, and targeted outreach through workshops aimed at addressing barriers to teenage girls’ continued participation in sport.

Speaking to Chronicle.lu, Jane Murray, a member of the She Plays Luxembourg team, explained that the initiative was inspired by both personal experience and concerns over teenage drop-out from sport. “One of our founding members returned to sport and saw the positive impact it had on her wellbeing and health,” she said, adding that the group also noticed “teenage girls dropping out of sport and wanted to act”.

Jane Murray added that the initiative aims “to increase girls’ participation and retention, particularly between the ages of twelve and sixteen”, while also promoting more inclusive sports environments and stronger pathways for female leaders.

The launch event also featured a panel discussion, moderated by Caoimhe McCarthy, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Ireland. Panellists included Dr Sandra Heck, Researcher and Policy Advisor at Luxembourg’s National Institute for Physical Activity and Sports, Nora Stapleton, Director of Strategic National Governing Body Programmes at Sport Ireland, Amy Lee, a multiple All-Ireland camogie winner, Kimberly Chinfatt, a member of Luxembourg’s national athletics team, Suzie Godart, a Luxembourg cyclist, and Giulia Iannucci, President of Rugby Club Luxembourg.

Discussions focused on the drop-out of teenage girls from sport, structural inequalities and the importance of creating supportive environments. Dr Sandra Heck noted that while Luxembourg is highly international and Giulia increasingly active on the issue, “we still need more women in leadership positions and environments that allow girls to feel comfortable staying in sport”.

Nora Stapleton drew on the Irish experience, stressing that teenage drop-out “is not the girls’ fault, but the systems around them”, highlighting the role of coaches, parents and governance structures.

From a club perspective, Giulia Iannucci spoke about building inclusive environments in rugby, underlining the importance of creating spaces where girls can “be themselves, feel welcome and enjoy sport without pressure”. Kimberly Chinfatt highlighted the role of supportive school and coaching structures, while Susie Godart and Amy Lee addressed the impact of social media, noting both its potential to promote visibility and the pressures it can place on young athletes.

The event also saw the introduction of the first participants in the Female Ambassador Programme, featuring ten teenage girls who are already actively involved in sport across Luxembourg. The ambassadors represent a range of disciplines and clubs, including Sandweiler Football club, Volleyball Strassen, Grengewald Niederanven Basketball Club, GAA Luxembourg Gaelic Club, Equestrian sport, Ice Hockey Kockelscheuer, Girlz Rugby Club (RCL), Karate Club Niederanven (two participants) and Cricket Walferdange.

The evening concluded with informal networking over finger food and drinks.