About us
We set up Level Playing Field in 2022 in response to global humanitarian crises with a particular focus on helping female athletes. As a group our aim is to do everything possible for these vulnerable people.
Who we are
Level Playing Field is made up of a group with a variety of backgrounds including sport, child protection, law, immigration and women’s health. What unites the group is a commitment to creating safe havens for women, particularly athletes, from parts of the world where their participation in sport endangers their lives and the lives of the their families. This is a voluntary group with all the committee members offering their time, skills and expertise in a personal capacity. 
Fiona Mills
Fiona is a graduate of Trinity College and has an MBA in Sports Business Management from San Diego State University. She also has a background in sports development due to her 10 years as National Development Officer with Hockey Ireland. During that time, Fiona worked with clubs, schools and communities all over Ireland. Through her work with Hockey Ireland and Sport Ireland, Fiona was also heavily involved in child protection including Code of Ethics training. She also established Hockey Ireland's initial vetting process. Since leaving Hockey Ireland, Fiona has worked in Financial Services where financial analysis and project management is a key tenet of her work. Fiona is now bringing all of this experience to the fore with the establishment of Level Playing Field.
Orla Cormican
Orla works in healthcare, as a radiographer, and has a keen interest in women's health, working regularly with people in a vulnerable position. She is an active community volunteer, previously working with the St Vincent de Paul and supporting the elderly in need as well as coaching sports for children. At Level Playing Field Orla is primarily involved in sourcing accommodation, fundraising and engagement with community groups to help integrate the athletes and their families.
Emma Richmond
Emma is a solicitor specialising in immigration and employment law with extensive experience working with various Government Departments. She is guiding Level Playing Field to secure humanitarian visas and managing the integration process for the athletes. Emma has a keen interest in all sports and has been involved with hockey at school and club level. She continues to coach her daughter's team with her local hockey club.
Elaine Morrissey
Elaine is a solicitor who is driven by the standards set out in the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights and is determined to help women who do not enjoy the same freedoms and security that she does. She has over 10 years legal experience working with global organisations as well as with domestic regulatory authorities. She also successfully managed a corporate responsibility programme. Elaine is leading Level Playing Field's governance and NGO liaison, together with sourcing accommodation and raising awareness.
Claire Cormican
Claire Cormican is currently working as a finance manager. She has over ten years' experience, including working for a large professional services firm where she advised some of Ireland's leading professional sportspeople. Claire studied Law and Accounting in University of Limerick, is a Chartered Tax Advisor as well as a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.
Gillian Neary
Gillian is a Fundraising Manager with over 13 years experience fundraising with domestic and overseas agencies. She holds a degree in Psychology and is passionate about helping people to live a better life. Gillian is leading the fundraising effort for Level Playing Field.
John Rabbitte
John Rabbitte is a former lecturer in Business from GMIT (now ATU), former B&B owner, and retiree from the insurance industry. He lives in Galway close to Merlin Park Hospital with his wife Marie. He is a parent to three grown up children all of whom have successful careers in the Health and IT industries. He has always been active in community groups having been involved in Foroige whilst his children were growing up and now being a member of the Joint Policing Committee and a number of local community groups. John is also a member of the Galway City Community Network. He is keen to assist any refuges to resettle in Ireland and would be delighted to show them how best to navigate the Galway area and to assist them in anyway possible in settling into the local area.
Emma Leeson
Emma is a financial controller and project manager with over 10 years global experience working with a global corporate finance and private equity firm. Emma studied accounting and finance and completed a master's in accounting in DCU. She is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants. Emma is treasurer of Level Playing Field and manages the financial affairs of the group.