The Olympic Federation of Ireland (OFI) Athletes’ Commission (AC), chaired by Galway's Aifric Keogh, has officially launched its new Athlete-Centred Strategy alongside the Athletes’ Commission Playbook, setting out a clear, athlete-led roadmap for how athlete voice will shape Irish Olympic sport over the coming cycles.
Developed by athletes, for athletes, the strategy marks a significant evolution in the role of the Athletes’ Commission – moving beyond representation alone to a more structured, collaborative and participatory approach that embeds athlete experience at the heart of decision-making across Team Ireland.
At its core, the strategy is built around a simple belief: Irish sport is strongest when it truly listens to its athletes, learns from them, and acts with them. It outlines four must-win outcomes – Visibility & Connection; Listen & Understand; Represent & Influence; and Continuity, Structure & Direction – supported by clear initiatives and practical tools designed to improve athlete experience across every stage of the Olympic journey.
The accompanying Athletes’ Commission Playbook translates this vision into action, providing a shared operating framework, systems and tools to ensure continuity, accountability and long-term impact across successive Commission cohorts. Together, the strategy and playbook aim to ensure that athlete voice is not only heard, but consistently embedded in governance, policy design and everyday practice.
Speaking at the launch, Aifric Keogh, Chair of the OFI Athletes’ Commission, said:
“Being a member of Team Ireland goes far beyond the two weeks of an Olympic Games. This strategy is about recognising the full reality of the athlete journey and making sure athletes are supported, connected and represented at every stage.
“The Athletes’ Commission exists to bring real lived experience into the heart of Irish sport, and this strategy gives us the structure and clarity to do that more effectively than ever before – not just for this cohort, but for those that follow.”
The Athlete-Centred Strategy places lived experience at the centre of system design, using practical tools such as athlete experience mapping, ecosystem mapping and structured feedback platforms to ensure policies and supports reflect the realities of athletes’ lives. It also strengthens pathways for athlete representation within National Governing Bodies and OFI governance, reinforcing athlete participation as a core pillar of good governance.
The launch represents the culmination of work by the current Athletes’ Commission cohort (2025–2028), while deliberately building systems that will endure beyond any single Olympic cycle. Early implementation is already underway, including the rollout of a new Athletes’ Voice Survey and the development of a dedicated Athletes’ Commission digital operating hub.
The OFI Athletes’ Commission will continue to work closely with the OFI, National Governing Bodies and key partners across the Irish sporting system to deliver the strategy, ensuring that athlete voice remains central to the future direction of Team Ireland.
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OFI Athletes’ Commission:
- Aifric Keogh (Chair) – Rowing
- Billy Dardis (Vice-Chair) – Rugby Sevens
- Brendan Boyce – Athletics
- Elsa Desmond – Luge
- Hannah McLoughlin – Hockey
- Harry McNulty – Rugby Sevens
- Paddy Barnes – Boxing
- Róisín Upton – Hockey
- Tanya Watson – Diving
