SENIOR INTER-COUNTY LADIES football and camogie panels will “play the remainder of the 2023 championship under protest”.
A lengthy statement was released via the Gaelic Players Association [GPA] this morning, to outline the grievances of players as landmark press conference commenced at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Dublin Airport.
24 inter-county players were in attendance following the past actions of their Ireland women soccer and rugby counterparts.
The players insist that their ‘national governing bodies’ are not hearing their real concerns and this has placed them in a situation ‘they never wished to be in’.
Their primary frustration stems from a request for a charter designed for female players to be implemented in the 2024 season, which is designed to establish minimum standards for player welfare, but that has not been followed through in the view of players.
The statement outlines the position of the inter-county players and states that players ‘are not receiving the respect they deserve’.
The Ladies Gaelic football Association has released a statement of its own, noting its “surprise” and addressing some items in the players’ statement.
The Camogie Association have also responded, while the GAA are yet to comment.
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The GPA statement, in full, reads:
Today, representatives of the senior inter-county camogie and football panels are here before you, representing our respective teams, as well as our fellow players from the intermediate & junior grades, with their full support.
We find ourselves in a situation we never wished to be in, echoing the experiences of our soccer and rugby counterparts in recent years. Regrettably, we feel, that our National Governing Bodies do not want to hear our real concerns, so we’re speaking directly to you.
We will play the remainder of the 2023 championship under protest.
Our representative body, the Gaelic Players Association, released the State of Play Report two months ago, which shed light on significant issues within our training and playing environments.
The main request has been well-documented; we asked the LGFA, the Camogie Association, and the GAA to engage in discussions with the GPA to develop a charter designed for female players to be implemented in the 2024 season. This charter would establish minimum standards for our collective welfare.
Upon the report’s publication, the GPA privately contacted the three National Governing Bodies, seeking collaboration to achieve an agreed-upon charter. Our aim was to work together towards a positive outcome that would make us all proud.
Despite initial positive indications, the GAA has since declined our proposal. The Camogie Association, however, did request a presentation to be made to their Ard Chomhairle, which took place last week. Regrettably, the LGFA has not deemed it appropriate to respond.
Their primary rationale is that they prefer to complete the integration process before initiating a charter for female players. Despite the evidence presented, they expect us to patiently endure the treatment of second-class citizens.
We are no longer willing to wait. It has been over 18 months since integration was declared a priority and voted in by the membership of the three Associations. While the National Governing Bodies claim to be listening, it is evident that they are not truly hearing us. Urgent issues affecting player welfare have been brought to their attention, yet they refuse to even engage collectively to discuss solutions.
We as players are not receiving the respect we deserve. Therefore, do not expect business as usual in the upcoming weeks and months.
In recent months Cavan’s footballers and Kildare’s camogie players have shown us what potentially lies in store for all of us if nothing changes.
We are not willing to wait for 56 more individual battles to arise.
We stand here together, unified. And together, we will remain resolute in our pursuit of a better future.
The senior inter-county Ladies Football and Camogie panels
The LGFA statement, in full, reads:
THE Ladies Gaelic Football Association notes with surprise the statement issued by the Gaelic Players Association (GPA) today on behalf of female inter-county panels.
The LGFA wishes to address some items mentioned in the GPA statement.
Despite claims to the contrary, the LGFA was actively involved in correspondence arising from the publication of the GPA’s ‘State of Play’ Equality report.
The GAA, LGFA and Camogie Association were asked to ‘collectively’ commence discussions with the GPA following the circulation of a memo to National Governing Bodies (NGBs) on Squad Charters in early May.
On behalf of the three Associations, a response was issued to point out that we are currently in a process of integration, and that inter-county charters will be one of the items for discussion.
The LGFA also wishes to reiterate its commitment to the integration process and dialogue will continue with key stakeholders.
The LGFA takes issue with the suggestion that inter-county players are treated like ‘second class’ citizens.
It should be noted that, in 2023, over €1.4m of Government funding will be allocated to LGFA inter-county squads to assist with player expense claims.
Of this figure, over €900,000 is allocated directly to player expenses, while almost €500,000 is designated for LGFA team funding.
The LGFA’s Central Council continues to recognise and acknowledge the vital role of the inter-county player – and earlier this year agreed that the full LGFA allocation (€1.4m) of Government funding would be assigned to player expenses for 2023, with the LGFA self-funding the team element for counties.
Additionally, the live-streaming of all adult inter-county games, not shown live by TG4, from the Lidl National Leagues and TG4 All-Ireland Championships, provides inter-county management teams with an outstanding and unique service to assist with internal analysis.
From the outset, the LGFA and the Camogie Association have worked pro-actively and diligently to secure this much-needed Government support, for the betterment of our players, which is then distributed to the various squads via the GPA, following sign-off by the inter-county support group (ISG).
The ISG is comprised of representatives from the three Gaelic Games Associations (GAA, LGFA, Camogie), the GPA and Sport Ireland.
Since the publication of the ‘State of Play’ report, the LGFA has worked closely with county boards, who submitted figures relating to the preparation of adult inter-county teams during the 2023 Lidl National Football Leagues.
Figures received indicate that a minimum of €1.8m was spent by county boards in the preparation of teams throughout the Lidl National Leagues in 2023, and with more to come during Championship season.
This is a significant investment from county boards, who operate in a volunteer capacity with limited resources – and with a full schedule of activity to attend to, both at club and inter-county levels.
We wish all of our inter-county players well for the remainder of the Championship season and we look forward to more superb action on the playing fields.
The Camogie Association statement, in full, reads:
The Camogie Association was informed this morning of a joint statement by Camogie Association captains, LGFA captains, and the GPA. The GPA shared their State of Play document with the Camogie Association, and on June 14th, 2023, the GPA presented the report to Ard Chomhairle at the invitation of the Camogie Association. The GPA undertook to provide more detailed information on the Camogie data at the request of the Camogie Association. The concerns outlined in the report were discussed, and it was agreed to consider the more detailed information and identify priority areas to be addressed. The Camogie Association remains available for further discussions and awaits the more detailed information. requested.
Under the current Inter County Government Support Scheme, Inter County Camogie players are eligible for team supports worth up to €14,000 per team, which covers physical and performance support, facilities, nutrition, and gear. Additionally, individual annual expenses funding worth €1,673,571 is available to inter county players, which is divided between teams and players. This is managed through an annual ‘Squad Charter’ process, where county boards, player representatives, and team management jointly sign the plan. The total funding of €5,641,791 for the Inter County Government Support Scheme in 2023 is equivalent to the funding provided to male counterparts on a pro-rata basis, ensuring equal financial support for both codes. As part of the ongoing integration process, a player charter for both male and female codes will be agreed upon in due course.
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