Sky Ireland has announced the recipients of the 2024 Sky WNT Fund – an annual bursary of €25,000, established by Sky to provide financial assistance to members of the Republic of Ireland Women's National Team.
Now in its third year, the Sky WNT Fund is designed to empower recipients by providing financial support that goes towards academic studies and career ambitions, off the pitch. Open to all current WNT Squad members, players apply for the fund by submitting an application outlining their academic or career development goals and how the financial support will be used.
The recipients, who will each receive €5,000 funding, are:
- Caitlin Hayes: Caitlin will use the funding to pursue a second degree in Paramedical Science.
- Lily Agg: Lily will use the funding to grow her company, ‘LA Tax Advisory’. This specialist tax-advisory firm caters specifically to women footballers, empowering them financially.
- Megan Connolly: Megan will use the funding to enrol in courses offered by the PFA Business School.
- Sophie Whitehouse: Sophie will pursue a master’s degree in ‘Business Sustainability’ at Leeds University Business School.
- Megan Campbell: Megan will use the funding for health and fitness education, taking a course in Personal Training.
Announcing the 2024 Sky WNT Fund recipients, Sky Ireland's Chief Commercial Officer, Orlaith Ryan said: “Every year, we are blown away by the level of entries to the Sky WNT Fund and what these players are doing, outside of football, is nothing short of inspiring. In addition to balancing busy international and club careers, many of our senior women’s players are furthering their education, planning for life after football and running their own businesses.
“Judging the anonymous entries is always a difficult task, because the calibre of the entries is so high. I want to congratulate Caitlin, Lily, Megan, Sophie and Megan. Everyone at Sky is excited to see them achieving even more success, off and on the pitch.”
2024 Sky WNT Fund recipient, Lily Agg, said: “I set up my business, LA Tax Advisory, because I saw first-hand the lack of financial advice that was available to my fellow players. Being a recipient of the Sky WNT Fund will allow me to take my business to the next level. Sky’s offer of business mentorship has also been a gamechanger for me and the rest of the squad. Their support has been exceptional, and they are paving the way for how sponsors should support their partners.”
The Irish Women's National Team continue their quest to qualify for the UEFA Women's EURO 2025. This July promises nail-biting encounters the squad take on England (away) and France, which sees Pairc Ui Chaoimh hosting the WNT for the first time. These matches are be pivotal in determining Ireland's fate in Group A3.
