The integration of the GAA, LGFA and Camogie Association moved another step closer at the weekend when the Ladies Football Annual Congress at the Europa Hotel in Belfast voted overwhelmingly in favour of a motion committing to the project.
The motion from the Galway County Board proposed a change to the wording of rule 13 so that it would include a commitment to “unite with the GAA with the aim of becoming a partnership of equals.”
It was passed with a majority of 67 votes in favour and only 8 against, a majority of 89.33 per cent.
The final statement of intent will now be put to the Camogie National Congress taking place on the first weekend of April where delegates will vote on a similar motion.
Then the detailed work outlining what needs to happen and how that ‘partnership of equals can be attained.
The GAA is the strongest of the three with the assets of stadia and facilities in every corner. Ladies Football would be the youngest but also the fastest growing of the three associations and the challenge will be to leave everyone across the three associations, from players and volunteers to administrators and commercial partners feeling that their interests are best served as part of a larger single organisation.
In terms of the elite, each sport has a Senior All Ireland to crown its champions at the club and county level. Most of those finals are plated at Croke Park and are covered by national broadcasters to a free to air audience that always numbers deep into six figures.
Each has its own County Board and Provincial Council structure, mostly driven by the enthusiasm of voluntary support.
In terms of revenues though the GAA does still stand well clear.
Both the GAA and the LGFA have published annual reports in the last few weeks. The gate receipts generated by the GAA in the last year, despite ongoing Covid restrictions, came to €11.7 million. The equivalent figure for Ladies football was €487,314.
The end goal of a single sporting association that gives equality of esteem and treatment to all of its players regardless of gender is easy to see. The process of getting there will be one of detailed and what will seem at times painstaking negotiation, concession and agreement.
It will not be easy but it will be worth the journey.
At least now after these two overwhelming votes of support for the discussions to accelerate, with the third only a few short weeks away, the process can begin.
Sport for Business will explore the integration process as one of the themes of our Annual Women in Sport Conference taking place on April 28th 2022.
