Ulster Rugby & SistersIN team up to develop the next generation of female leaders

Pictured: Daniel Carson (Ulster Rugby), Hannah Conlan (SistersIN) and four programme participants.

Leadership isn't only developed in classrooms – it's built wherever young women are challenged to grow, whether that's in school, in their communities or on the rugby pitch.

Recognising the power of sport to develop confidence, resilience and teamwork, Ulster Rugby and SistersIN are delighted to announce a new partnership that will see SistersIN's leadership programme delivered in a non-educational setting for the first time.

The pilot will work with over 30 girls from the Ulster Under-18 Girls' Interprovincial Summer Squad, giving talented young athletes the opportunity to strengthen the leadership skills they already demonstrate through rugby while developing the confidence and transferable skills to thrive in education, future careers and everyday life.

Beginning at the squad's summer training camps, participants will start their SistersIN leadership journey before continuing the programme from September. They will complete SistersIN's interactive leadership modules alongside school-based cohorts, becoming part of the wider SistersIN community and network of young women from across Northern Ireland.

Each player will also be matched with a female mentor from a range of sectors, providing guidance, encouragement and real-world insight. The focus is on developing transferable leadership skills that can be applied in education, future careers and everyday life, helping participants recognise how the qualities they develop through sport can support them long after the final whistle.

The partnership is one of three new SistersIN pilots exploring how the programme can be successfully delivered beyond schools, ensuring even more young women can access leadership development and mentoring opportunities. The pilot will help shape future delivery models, creating new opportunities for young women to benefit from the programme through sport and other youth settings.

Murray Houston, Women & Girls' Talent Pathway Lead at Ulster Rugby, said:

"We're excited to partner with SistersIN on this innovative pilot. Rugby already provides our players with opportunities to develop qualities such as resilience, teamwork and communication, and this programme will help them build on those strengths in a structured way. The addition of mentoring from female leaders across a range of industries is particularly valuable, giving our players fresh perspectives and helping them recognise how the skills they develop through rugby will benefit them throughout their lives. We believe this will be a fantastic experience for the squad and are excited to see the impact it has both on and off the pitch."

Hannah Conlan, Educational Programme Manager at SistersIN, said:

"We're incredibly excited to launch this pilot with Ulster Rugby. For several years we've seen the impact our programme has had in schools, and we're now exploring how that same model can support young women in other environments where leadership is already developing naturally. Sport provides the perfect platform to strengthen confidence, communication and leadership, while mentoring helps participants see how those skills transfer into education, employment and life beyond the game.

"One of the most exciting aspects of this partnership is that these young women will become part of the wider SistersIN community, joining hundreds of girls from across Northern Ireland who are all committed to developing their leadership potential. We're looking forward to learning together through this pilot and exploring how we can create even more opportunities for young women through sport in the future."

This pilot reflects both organisations' shared commitment to ensuring young women have the confidence, skills and support networks to achieve their ambitions, whatever path they choose.

About SistersIN

SistersIN is a leadership and mentoring programme for 16–18-year-old girls that equips young women with the confidence, skills and connections to become the next generation of leaders. During the 2026/27 programme year, SistersIN will work with more than 70 schools across Northern Ireland, supporting approximately 800–1,000 young women, alongside a growing number of pilot programmes in community and sporting settings.

The programme combines interactive leadership modules, one-to-one mentoring with female leaders, workplace experiences and participant-led leadership projects, enabling young women to build the confidence and transferable skills to succeed in education, employment and life. Through its growing network of schools, mentors, employers and partners, SistersIN is creating opportunities for young women to realise their potential, inspire others and pave the way for the next generation of female leaders.

To find out more about the SistersIN programme delivery, how to become a mentor, or a corporate partner, contact info@sisters-in.org