Neasa Russell, Chief Operating Officer of Paralympics Ireland, has been named the recipient of the prestigious Women in Sport Award at the 2025 Federation of Irish Sport Awards, in recognition of her exceptional leadership and transformative impact on Irish sport.
Over the course of her career, Neasa Russell has redefined what strategic leadership looks like within Paralympic and high-performance sport in Ireland. Her influence has been felt both on the world stage and behind the scenes, where her vision, precision, and unwavering commitment to athletes have reshaped the landscape of Para sport across the country.
Russell’s leadership journey with Paralympics Ireland has been marked by two pivotal roles as Chef de Mission for Team Ireland at the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. Under her stewardship, both campaigns became benchmarks of excellence in athlete preparation and operational execution. From high-performance logistics to athlete welfare and performance planning, Russell ensured that every detail was aligned to enable Irish Paralympians to compete at their best—and to do so with dignity, support, and pride.
Following the resounding success of the Paris 2024 Games, Russell was appointed to the newly created position of Chief Operating Officer of Paralympics Ireland, a move that formalised her central role in the organisation’s strategic evolution. In this role, she has overseen the professionalisation of operations, the implementation of sustainable and data-driven systems, and the integration of athlete-centred planning tools. Her focus on innovation within often rigid sporting structures has helped make Paralympics Ireland more agile, responsive, and future-ready.
Beyond the elite level, Russell has worked tirelessly to expand the visibility, support, and reach of Para sport throughout Ireland. Her collaborative approach has strengthened relationships with public bodies, sponsors, media, and grassroots organisations, leading to greater investment and public engagement with Paralympic athletes and their stories.
Her influence also extends across the broader Irish sporting community. She currently serves on the Board of the Irish Sport and Exercise Association, the Sport Ireland Women in Sport Sub-Committee, and the Rowing Ireland High Performance Committee, championing gender equity and high-performance development across multiple disciplines.
In presenting her with the Women in Sport Award, the Federation of Irish Sport has acknowledged not only her impressive accomplishments, but her ongoing commitment to inclusion, excellence, and innovation in sport. Neasa Russell is a trailblazer whose work continues to uplift athletes, empower teams, and shape the future of Irish sport.
Her recognition is a testament to the power of strategic leadership—and to the profound impact one individual can have when purpose meets passion.
Paralympics Ireland President, Lisa Clancy was at the awards to pick up the award on her behalf.
