The Gaelic Players and Women’s Gaelic Players Associations have voted overwhelmingly to combine the two associations into one 4,000-member players’ association.
At two separate Extraordinary General Meetings last night the Women’s group voted 96 per cent in favour of the move and the Men’s group 100 per cent.
The first meeting of the newly combined association was held post the respective EGMs, and a Transitional National Executive Committee (TNEC) was established at this meeting.
The TNEC will have its first meeting in January where Executive Officers will be elected including co-chairs. The TNEC will oversee the direction and strategy until the first Annual General Meeting prior to the commencement of the respective All Ireland Championships next year. 2021.
At this point, a new NEC will be elected which will proportionally represent the association’s female and male members.
As a result of last nights decision, changes will also be made to the composition of the Board of Directors of the company behind the Association, with the desire to achieve a 50:50 gender balance.
The current chair, Professor Brían MacCraith, will lead this process.
The Gaelic Players Association came into being in 2020 with current Dublin Football Manager Dessie Farrell as the first Chair. The Women’s GPA was founded five years ago under the leadership of Aoife Lane.
The two organisations have worked closely together in a number of areas over recent years, including on the Madden Leadership programme (pictured above).
The closer relationships that are being developed between the GAA, Ladies Gaelic Football Association and Camogie Association will continue to draw the different codes closer together with benefits in terms of fixture planning, facilities and promotion.
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