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WEBINAR: Mon 15th Mar @ 19:00
Sporting Pride, the association tasked with getting the LGBTQ+ community active, have partnered with Dublin Pride to continue its successful “Standing Proud in Irish Sport: My Life as an Elite LGBTQ+ Athlete'' webinar series with an interview with Dublin Ladies Football player Nicole Owens. Nicole played an integral role in the success of the four times Ladies Football All-Ireland Senior Champions Team - in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 - and was an all star in 2017.
Taking place on Monday March 15th 2021 at 19:00, the live interview with Nicole is the third in a series of new events that will focus on LGBTQ+ Women in Sport. Each event will feature LGBTQ+ female athletes talking openly and honestly about their personal experiences, including:
the role sport played in growing up;
attitudes among teammates and coaches;
influence on mental and physical development;
effect on sporting performance; and
the coming out process.
The experienced broadcaster Anna Nolan will once again host the interview, taking Nicole through her football career and discussing the important role sport has played in her life, accepting her sexuality and her advocacy around mental health promotion.
Towards the end of the live interview, viewers will have the opportunity to ask Nicole questions via the forum, a unique offering that enables football fans to interact directly with the athlete.
Karina Murray, Events Coordinator of Sporting Pride, says “Once again we are delighted to promote the visibility of LGBTQ+ women via our third Women in Sports webinar with the wonderful Nicole Owens. As well as being a class act on the field Nicole acts as a mental health ambassador, sharing her story with the aim of supporting others in similar situations”.
To watch this ground-breaking free webinar, go to the live streaming links below on Monday, March 15th at 19:00
About the Panel
Anna Nolan – Presenter / Basketball
Anna Nolan is a television producer, broadcaster and opinion columnist. She began her television career when she stepped inside the very first Big Brother house, back in 2000. From there she worked at the BBC for two years. She moved back to Ireland and worked on the RTE documentary series, “Would You Believe”.
Over the last 20 years, she has produced some of the most-watched television programmes on Irish television, including Room to Improve, Operation Transformation and is now Head of Development at COCO Television.
Anna started playing basketball at the age of 13, representing her school, Loreto Crumlin, and club, Naomh Mhuire, in national and international tournaments. In 1989, Anna won the U19 National Cup with Naomh Mhuire, was named Tournament MVP and was called up to play with the first team, who went on to win the Senior Women’s National Cup that year.
Nicole Owens - Ladies Football
Nicole Owens is a Dublin Ladies Football Player, a four-time All-Ireland Champion and an advocate for positive mental health and self-acceptance. The footballer publicly opened up about her experience with depression in an RTÉ documentary Blue Sisters which charted Dublin’s path to All-Ireland success in 2017. Since then she has shared her story in the hope that it can help others who have struggled with their mental health and those who have struggled to accept their sexuality.
Nicole’s teenage years were a constant struggle as she hid her sexuality. Silence was not the answer. The cure she found was simple, just say who you are. Frightening at first but liberating afterwards. And throughout the ups and downs, football; her teammates, the comradery and the successes on the pitch have formed a vital part of her life.
With a degree, Sociology and Spanish in Trinity College Nicole currently works with a social media intelligence agency Storyful.
About the Hosts
Sporting Pride
Founded in 2018, Sporting Pride is Ireland’s sport, fitness and exercise body, tasked with inspiring the LGBTQ+ community to get active. Research shows that 55% of LGBT men and 56% of LGBT women are not active enough to maintain good health, compared with 33% and 45% respectively of the general public. As a member of the EGLSF and the Federation of Gay Games, Sporting Pride also offers LGBTQ+ sportspeople the opportunity to represent Ireland in international competitions. www.sportingpride.ie
Dublin Pride
Dublin LGBTQ+ Pride Festival & Parade happens every year in June and celebrates respect, inclusion, diversity, and equality. Dublin Pride is one of the biggest people parades and festival in Ireland now, Pride is 365 days not just for one day. Dublin Pride now runs events, workshops, talks throughout the year and has now launched its second festival Winter Pride in late November/December. Find out more here: www.DublinPride.ie
This event is supported by the Bank of Ireland Begin Together Fund and The Community Foundation of Ireland.
Sporting Pride Contact
Karina Murray karina.murray@sportingpride.ie