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The Government is to push €1 million in additional funding over the next two years towards programmes aimed at the inter county levels of Camogie and Ladies Football.
The money will be channelled through Sport Ireland towards the Camogie Association and the ladies Football Association who will then distribute to each of the county boards based on the number of inter county teams they are fielding.
It will be used to support programmes such as injury prevention and medical cover, maximising player and team performance and access to training facilities.
There is a steering group comprising representatives of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Sport Ireland, the Women’s Gaelic Players Association who were a driving force behind the funding and the two governing bodies.
This is a major boost for recognition of the equal work and energy that goes into elite gaelic games regardless of gender.
The money will be used for programmes rather than by way of grants to players as is the case in the men’s agreement but this is a decision driven by player demands and is the first step in establishing funding channels that will help in creating the right role models to keep younger girls active in sport to the same extent as boys.
It is a substantial and positive commitment by Government though some sports organisations were yesterday bemoaning the fact it was more money for the largest sports while smaller groups remained challenged by funding at a basic level.
The reality is that this was less a gift of Government than a response to a proactive and detailed approach from the players and their sports which will yield a positive impact for sport and society.
“I want to take this opportunity to recognise the valuable contribution that our Inter-County Ladies Football and Camogie Players make to Gaelic games,” said Minister of State for Sport Patrick O’Donovan who admitted to a strong family engagement with Camogie in Limerick and was speaking in his first public engagement in the new role.
“Their success is important, not just at a sporting level, but also on the ground level where they inspire young women to become involved in ladies football or Camogie, and stay involved throughout school and into their adult life.”
“The funding allocation shows the confidence held by the Government in the success of our Inter-County Ladies Football and Camogie Players, and that it recognises the role of the teams, the volunteers and the supporters in forming strong community spirit throughout the country”.
“Government support for inter-county Ladies Gaelic Football and the Camogie Association players, distributed through Sport Ireland, is an indicator of the recognition that exists at national level for the unique contribution the players make as the leading exponents of our indigenous national games, the contribution that players make to the economic and social fabric of the nation and their commitment to play the game at highest level possible,” added Kieran Mulvey, Chairman of Sport Ireland.
“The ‘Let’s Make Things Better’ report from 2014 indicated that players’ priorities around the WGPA included the development of minimum standards at county level that would help them achieve their best as athletes, said Aoife Lane, Chair of the Women’s Gaelic Players Association.
“This subsequently has formed a central part of our work in the WGPA over the last 18 months. Many of the constraints at county level are related to funding so this investment from the Government is a very welcome development for the WGPA and all associated with ladies football and Camogie.”
“This funding will support administrators, managers and players and is a fantastic collaboration between the Camogie Association, Ladies Gaelic Football Association, Sport Ireland, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and ourselves in the WGPA. We see this as an exciting move forward for ladies football and Camogie, and a worthy and welcome acknowledgment of the commitment, talent and societal contribution of county players across both games.”
Commercial support for women’s sport has expanded considerably in the last three years. Sport for Business has long been an advocate of the opportunities it presents and the strong social dividend that would emerge for companies backing Women’s sport.
Liberty Insurance in Camogie, Lidl in Ladies Football, Aon in Women’s Rugby and Continental Tyres in Women’s soccer as well as AIB and AIG at club and county level among others are examples of major international brands that are showing substantial commitment and reaping the rewards.
This was a good day for sport in our country. It is though just another step on a long journey towards the parity of esteem that is deserved and overdue.
