Image Credit: InphoThe GAA and the Gaelic Players Association have developed a new commercial joint venture offering a wide range of children’s, men’s and women’s football boots and sports footwear to members and supporters.
gaelicboots.com will supply all major brands of boots, runners and trainers including Adidas, Puma, Nike and Umbro offering competitive prices, a wide choice and delivery to the customer’s door within 72 hours.
The announcement is the latest joint commercial venture between the GAA and the players’ body and will help generate funding for a range of player welfare and development programmes.
“The launch of gaelicboots.com is a very significant step in the joint commercial operations between the GPA and GAA,” said GPA President Donal Og Cusack.
“It will raise funding for player welfare initiatives, at both county and club level, and we hope players and fans will use the site and spread the word.”
“This is the fourth joint venture between both bodies and a great opportunity for players of all grades to support their own by shopping on our website.”
GAA President Liam Ó Néill welcomed the announcement as “a further indication of the ongoing co-operation between the GAA and the GPA.”
Inter-county players Pádraic Maher (Tipperary), Lee Chin (Wexford), Cillian O’Connor (Mayo), Patrick McBrearty (Donegal), and Ciarán Kilkenny (Dublin) were all unveiled today as brand ambassadors for gaelicboots.com, indicating a strong push on the part of the players to promote the service.
Care will need to be taken as the scheme develops not to step on the boots of retailers such as Elvery’s who sponsor Mayo and for whom footwear would be a major sales driver, as well as local sports shops that are often involved in sponsorship at club level.