The Gaelic Players Association has received strong Government backing for its newly-published “Playbook 2026–2028”, with Minister for Sport Patrick O’Donovan describing the plan as a “clear, player-led vision” for the future of Gaelic games.

The Playbook, published this morning, sets out the GPA’s key strategic priorities over the next three years at a time when the sport is preparing for significant change, including the move towards full integration across the GAA, LGFA and Camogie Association.

Developed over the past four months, the document draws on data from the GPA Membership Survey 2025, the Indecon report on the economic and social impact of GPA players, and motions passed at the GPA Annual General Meeting in 2025. That evidence base was supplemented by an internal staff strategy development report and a series of one-to-one interviews with stakeholders including representatives from the GPA National Executive Committee (NEC), current and former players, the Department of Sport, Sport Ireland, the GAA, sponsors and the media.

Those findings were analysed and key themes were presented to players at the GPA’s Annual Squad Representatives Day in early January before being refined and approved by the GPA NEC and Board. The five focus areas confirmed in the final Playbook are: Player Led Movement; The Elite Player Experience; Players Powering Integration; Players Growing the Games; and Developing Players Beyond the Game.

The GPA said work is already underway to build implementation plans around each pillar, with regular updates and an annual review of progress to be delivered to the NEC and Board.

O’Donovan formally marked the launch yesterday alongside GPA CEO Tom Parsons, Limerick hurler Tom Morrissey and Dublin footballer Orlagh Nolan.

“The Playbook sets out a clear, player-led vision for the future of Gaelic games,” the Minister said. “I strongly support the work of the GPA in representing over 4,000 inter-county players and in championing fairness, welfare, equality, and sustainable standards across all codes.

“Our inter-county players give extraordinary commitment to their counties and communities within an amateur system that is increasingly demanding. The GPA’s focus on player welfare, integration, balanced workloads, and supporting players beyond their playing careers is both responsible and forward-looking. We can’t forget that our GAA players are people too, with lives, loves and losses and we need to consider the whole person in our policy and game development.

“A strong, constructive player voice is vital to the long-term health of our games, and I commend the GPA for continuing to engage positively and ambitiously in shaping a fairer, more sustainable future for Gaelic games.”

Speaking on behalf of the NEC, Maher and Morgan said the responsibility now lies with players and leadership to ensure the strategy translates into action.

“This Playbook has been developed by players and players are at its heart. As an NEC, it is now our job to ensure it gets delivered upon, to the benefit of players right across the country. For it to be successful, players will need to get behind it. There can be no passengers,” they said.

“We have charged GPA CEO Tom Parsons with implementing The Playbook and we’re already encouraged by the start which Tom and the GPA staff have made. It is now imperative to keep up that momentum. If we can do that, then the environment in which players are operating come 2028 will be much improved on what they encounter today.”

Parsons said the publication provides the association with a sharper mandate and a clearer framework for engagement with stakeholders across the games.

“The Playbook gives the GPA a very clear direction. There will need to be a laser-like focus on achieving the objectives laid out with all stakeholders, staff, NEC, Board and players, all having an integral part to play. I am confident that we can deliver outstanding results on behalf of players,” he said.

Image Credit: Sport for Business

More from the launch and a deeper dive into the key areas tomorrow…

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