Sky announces fifth year of WNT Fund with 30,000 bursary supporting players and grassroots football

Wednesday 22 April 2026

Sky announces fifth year of WNT Fund with 30,000 bursary supporting players and grassroots football

Sky has announced the fifth year of the Sky WNT Fund, reaffirming its long-standing commitment to supporting Republic of Ireland Women's National Team (WNT) players - both on and off the pitch - and the grassroots football clubs where their journeys began.

The 30,000 Sky WNT Fund is a bursary open to all current Republic of Ireland Women's National Team squad players, designed to support players' academic, professional and post football career ambitions. The Fund was established in 2021 in partnership with the Football Association of Ireland (FAI).

New for 2026, the Sky WNT Fund will be split between two winners, who will each receive a 15,000 bursary. Of this:

10,000 will go towards the player's own academic, professional or post football career or project and;

5,000 will go directly to a grassroots football club of the player's choice, based in the Republic of Ireland.

The grassroots club selected by each recipient will receive 5,000 towards the work it does in its local community to support the development of women and girls' football and help nurture the next generation of footballing talent.

WNT players will be asked to submit a short video to the judging panel, outlining their career or education goals, how the funding would be used, and why they have chosen their nominated grassroots club.

Speaking about the Sky WNT Fund, Sky Ireland's Director of Marketing and Brand, Caroline Donnellan said: We're incredibly proud to support our Women's National Team, not just on the pitch but in planning for life beyond the pitch. This is the fifth year of the Sky WNT Fund - a programme that continues to evolve alongside the team. What's new this year is the addition of a dedicated grassroots element, enabling each recipient to share funding with a club that is close to their own heart and has perhaps played a role in their own football journey. This funding will help recipients to continue with their own development while helping their chosen club to continue to do great work in its community .

Lizzy Kent, FAI Head of Women and Girls' Football said: Supporting our WNT players both on and off the pitch is a key priority. The Sky WNT Fund is an excellent initiative, giving players the opportunity to explore and shape their future career ambitions alongside their playing careers. Whether its for further studies, coaching careers, or business ventures, the bursary is open to all squad members."

Last year's Sky WNT Fund recipients, and what they used the bursary towards, were:

Courtney Brosnan: Courtney received 10,000 to continue her master's degree in science at Longford College, as well as completing her UEFA B coaching badge.

Emily Murphy: Emily received 10,000 to pursue a master's degree in psychology.

Lucy Quinn: Lucy received 5,000 to further her media career in podcasting, social media and punditry.

Heather Payne: Heather received 5,000 to pursue a master's degree in sports nutrition.

Applications for the Sky WNT Fund will be reviewed by a judging panel consisting of Sky Ireland's Caroline Donnellan, the FAI's Lizzy Kent; and sports journalist, Cliona Foley. The recipients will be selected and announced later in the year.

For further information, please contact:

Robert Magee, Sky Ireland: 087 670 6826

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