The Gaelic Players Association has called on the GAA, LGFA and Camogie Association to agree to an official Squad Charter for female inter-county players from the 2024 season. This would match what is already in place across Men’s Gaelic Football and Hurling.
This is the key ask of the GPA’s “State of Play Equality Report” which was launched yesterday.
The survey of 1,579 players took place in November 2022 and was backed up by workshops and phone calls with squad representatives earlier this year.
A better approach to travel expenses, a squad charter to match men’s teams and female-specific supports around health and wellbeing emerged as the key priorities, prompting yesterday’s call to action.
The average age of players on the Women’s panels is 24.8, over two years younger than is the case in the men’s game. That is driven by 43 percent being students as opposed to 24 percent of men.
There was also a difference in the types of injuries reported with 17 percent of women but only 13 percent of men reporting knee injuries and five percent suffering an ACL injury.
48 percent of players paid themselves to attend a physio during the intercounty season with the average cost to the player coming in at €220.
The call for the charter comes as the three national governing bodies continue to work toward full integration
The GPA delivered a presentation to the Steering Group on Integration (SGI) in Gaelic games chaired by former President of Ireland Mary McAleese last month which included the call for the provision of a female Squad Charter.
“While we respect that the integration process will take some time to achieve, we believe that there are important steps that can be taken towards levelling the playing field for female players as things progress,” said GPA CEO Tom Parsons.
“We should not have to wait until complete integration has been delivered.”
“A Squad Charter for female inter-county players delivered in cooperation between the GAA, LGFA, and the Camogie Association would be one such step and would be a significant statement from the three NGBs in support of equality.”
“The ‘State of Play Report’ yet again clearly identifies the level of inequality and difference in minimum standards experienced by female inter-county players,” said GPA National Executive Co-Chair Maria Kinsella.
“While some progress has been made in recent years, this level of inequality will never be eliminated until the GAA, LGFA and Camogie Association work together as ‘One Association’ and share their resources.”
“Current female inter-county players should not have to wait until integration is fully completed to receive the playing environment they deserve.”
“We know that a major gap exists between conditions for male and female players,” added co-Chair Matthew Hanlon.
“The GPA took a number of steps to close this gap following the merger with the WGPA. The government took a major step by equalising public funding for male and female players. We’re now looking for the three NGBs to take this step.”
“We want negotiations to start as soon as possible so that a consistent, workable charter is in place for our female members to be implemented from the 2024 season onwards. That will be almost two years since the GAA Congress motion on integration was passed as a priority.”
The Full Report can be downloaded from here.
