Wexford Hurler Matt O’Hanlon and Carlow Footballer Maria Kinsella are to be the first Chairs of the newly merged Gaelic Players Association.

The first AGM since the Men’s and Women’s representative bodies came together took place last night and the two were elected by the new National Executive Committee which is gender-balanced and contains representatives including All Ireland winners Ciaran Kilkenny and Niamh Collins from Dublin, Aoife Murray and DonalÓg Cusack from Cork and Michael Murphy from Donegal.

O’Hanlon is an Account Manager at Google while Kinsella is a Senior Manager in Asset and Wealth Management at PwC and has chaired the WGPA since January 2019.

The appointments replace Tom Parsons who has now taken over as CEO of the organisation with interim boss Ciaran Barr taking on the role of Chief Operating Officer.

“One of the highlights of 2020 was the overwhelming support from players both male and female for the merger of the GPA and the WGPA,” said Parsons in his commentary in the Annual Report.

“Work is ongoing at a practical level to ensure the full integration of the two associations into one. What stands out for me is the opportunities it brings. The formation of one players’ body is a game-changer in many respects, as we as players are now seen as leaders in inclusion and diversity, in sport and community across the world.”

Aoife Murray was elected Secretary and Donal Óg Cusack was elected to continue as President of the association. As such the breakdown of executive officers is also fulfilling a 50:50 gender split, as was agreed as part of the merger.

A motion proposing that the maximum period of membership of the NEC (6 years) be extended from the AGM 2021 to the next AGM 2022 only, was overwhelmingly passed. This had been proposed to allow for the retention of expertise and knowledge during the ongoing integration of the association.

 

The 2020 Annual report which can be seen in full below relates only to the Men’s side of the Association and some of the other highlights from the year included:

  • 1312 individual players were supported
  • 1981 programmes delivered
    (This player support was provided against the backdrop of Covid-19 which meant a re-think of the delivery of these services and the adoption of new technologies)
    Four-year Protocol Agreement with GAA
  • Establishment of GPA Member Support Text Line
  • Representation on Fixtures Calendar Review Taskforce
  • Google Business Mentoring Partnership established
  • 2,500 players completed anti-doping education
  • Representation on GAA’s Covid-19 Advisory Committee
  • Implementation of Centralised Expenses System
  • 219 attendees at Balance 2020 player welfare conference (online)
  • 95 players helped through counselling services
  • 292 cardiac screenings
  • 15 players supported through the Enhanced Injury Scheme
  • 9 players supported through the Past Players Medical and Surgical Intervention Fund
  • Various social outreach projects supported including key HSE messaging around Covid-19
  • 81% of net revenues spent on Player Development and Welfare Programmes

You can download the  Annual Report here

 

Watch back our interview with Kieran McSweeney of the GPA and Ronan Doyle of Connelly Partners on the creation of the new brand identity for the merged GPA.

 

 

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