SENIOR INTER-COUNTY LADIES football and camogie panels will “play the remainder of the 2023 championship under protest”.
A lengthy statement was released via the Gaelic Players Association [GPA] this morning, to outline the grievances of players as landmark press conference commenced at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Dublin Airport.
24 inter-county players were in attendance following the past actions of their Ireland women soccer and rugby counterparts.
The players insist that their ‘national governing bodies’ are not hearing their real concerns and this has placed them in a situation ‘they never wished to be in’.
Their primary frustration stems from a request for a charter designed for female players to be implemented in the 2024 season, which is designed to establish minimum standards for player welfare, but that has not been followed through in the view of players.
The statement outlines the position of the inter-county players and states that players ‘are not receiving the respect they deserve’.
The Ladies Gaelic football Association has released a statement of its own, noting its “surprise” and addressing some items in the players’ statement.
The Camogie Association have also responded, while the GAA are yet to comment.
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The GPA statement, in full, reads:
Today, representatives of the senior inter-county camogie and football panels are here before you, representing our respective teams, as well as our fellow players from the intermediate & junior grades, with their full support.
We find ourselves in a situation we never wished to be in, echoing the experiences of our soccer and rugby counterparts in recent years. Regrettably, we feel, that our National Governing Bodies do not want to hear our real concerns, so we’re speaking directly to you.
We will play the remainder of the 2023 championship under protest.
Our representative body, the Gaelic Players Association, released the State of Play Report two months ago, which shed light on significant issues within our training and playing environments.
The main request has been well-documented; we asked the LGFA, the Camogie Association, and the GAA to engage in discussions with the GPA to develop a charter designed for female players to be implemented in the 2024 season. This charter would establish minimum standards for our collective welfare.
Upon the report’s publication, the GPA privately contacted the three National Governing Bodies, seeking collaboration to achieve an agreed-upon charter. Our aim was to work together towards a positive outcome that would make us all proud.
Despite initial positive indications, the GAA has since declined our proposal. The Camogie Association, however, did request a presentation to be made to their Ard Chomhairle, which took place last week. Regrettably, the LGFA has not deemed it appropriate to respond.
Their primary rationale is that they prefer to complete the integration process before initiating a charter for female players. Despite the evidence presented, they expect us to patiently endure the treatment of second-class citizens.
We are no longer willing to wait. It has been over 18 months since integration was declared a priority and voted in by the membership of the three Associations. While the National Governing Bodies claim to be listening, it is evident that they are not truly hearing us. Urgent issues affecting player welfare have been brought to their attention, yet they refuse to even engage collectively to discuss solutions.
We as players are not receiving the respect we deserve. Therefore, do not expect business as usual in the upcoming weeks and months.
In recent months Cavan’s footballers and Kildare’s camogie players have shown us what potentially lies in store for all of us if nothing changes.
We are not willing to wait for 56 more individual battles to arise.
We stand here together, unified. And together, we will remain resolute in our pursuit of a better future.
The senior inter-county Ladies Football and Camogie panels
The LGFA statement, in full, reads:
THE Ladies Gaelic Football Association notes with surprise the statement issued by the Gaelic Players Association (GPA) today on behalf of female inter-county panels.
The LGFA wishes to address some items mentioned in the GPA statement.
Despite claims to the contrary, the LGFA was actively involved in correspondence arising from the publication of the GPA’s ‘State of Play’ Equality report.
The GAA, LGFA and Camogie Association were asked to ‘collectively’ commence discussions with the GPA following the circulation of a memo to National Governing Bodies (NGBs) on Squad Charters in early May.
On behalf of the three Associations, a response was issued to point out that we are currently in a process of integration, and that inter-county charters will be one of the items for discussion.
The LGFA also wishes to reiterate its commitment to the integration process and dialogue will continue with key stakeholders.
The LGFA takes issue with the suggestion that inter-county players are treated like ‘second class’ citizens.
It should be noted that, in 2023, over €1.4m of Government funding will be allocated to LGFA inter-county squads to assist with player expense claims.
Of this figure, over €900,000 is allocated directly to player expenses, while almost €500,000 is designated for LGFA team funding.
The LGFA’s Central Council continues to recognise and acknowledge the vital role of the inter-county player – and earlier this year agreed that the full LGFA allocation (€1.4m) of Government funding would be assigned to player expenses for 2023, with the LGFA self-funding the team element for counties.
Additionally, the live-streaming of all adult inter-county games, not shown live by TG4, from the Lidl National Leagues and TG4 All-Ireland Championships, provides inter-county management teams with an outstanding and unique service to assist with internal analysis.
From the outset, the LGFA and the Camogie Association have worked pro-actively and diligently to secure this much-needed Government support, for the betterment of our players, which is then distributed to the various squads via the GPA, following sign-off by the inter-county support group (ISG).
The ISG is comprised of representatives from the three Gaelic Games Associations (GAA, LGFA, Camogie), the GPA and Sport Ireland.
Since the publication of the ‘State of Play’ report, the LGFA has worked closely with county boards, who submitted figures relating to the preparation of adult inter-county teams during the 2023 Lidl National Football Leagues.
Figures received indicate that a minimum of €1.8m was spent by county boards in the preparation of teams throughout the Lidl National Leagues in 2023, and with more to come during Championship season.
This is a significant investment from county boards, who operate in a volunteer capacity with limited resources – and with a full schedule of activity to attend to, both at club and inter-county levels.
We wish all of our inter-county players well for the remainder of the Championship season and we look forward to more superb action on the playing fields.
The Camogie Association statement, in full, reads:
The Camogie Association was informed this morning of a joint statement by Camogie Association captains, LGFA captains, and the GPA. The GPA shared their State of Play document with the Camogie Association, and on June 14th, 2023, the GPA presented the report to Ard Chomhairle at the invitation of the Camogie Association. The GPA undertook to provide more detailed information on the Camogie data at the request of the Camogie Association. The concerns outlined in the report were discussed, and it was agreed to consider the more detailed information and identify priority areas to be addressed. The Camogie Association remains available for further discussions and awaits the more detailed information. requested.
Under the current Inter County Government Support Scheme, Inter County Camogie players are eligible for team supports worth up to €14,000 per team, which covers physical and performance support, facilities, nutrition, and gear. Additionally, individual annual expenses funding worth €1,673,571 is available to inter county players, which is divided between teams and players. This is managed through an annual ‘Squad Charter’ process, where county boards, player representatives, and team management jointly sign the plan. The total funding of €5,641,791 for the Inter County Government Support Scheme in 2023 is equivalent to the funding provided to male counterparts on a pro-rata basis, ensuring equal financial support for both codes. As part of the ongoing integration process, a player charter for both male and female codes will be agreed upon in due course.
They’ve managed to put out a statement which is fantastically non-descript. They seem to be unhappy, but didn’t divulge any specific grievances out from them not being happy. That probably doesn’t indicate they know what they want. As always funds will be sucked from the men’s game to prop up the women’s game, and if they genuinely had the same levels of interest as men have they would have no problems sustaining themselves. God help the GAA having to incorporate that lot into their remit.
@Patrick Breen: In the statement they refer to the report published earlier in the year which outlines their objectives.
A report which of course you’ve read and digested otherwise you wouldn’t feel you’d be in a position to comment on the situation.
@Patrick Breen: I seriously hope you aren’t a father of girls because I would worry for any women in your world.
@Stanley Marsh: ya that was just as non descript, they wanted their shorts paid for, coz the Cavan ladies team didn’t get free shorts, but I’ve never had any kit paid for in my life, there’s a serious level of entitlement going on.
@kieran horgan: ya calling them out for this translates to being incapable of being a father, we now have a situation where women can slate men, and it’s called empowerment, but when facts are stated in the reverse direction it’s misogyny. Good lad Kieran, I can’t wait for you to change the world.
@Patrick Breen: Are you sure you read the right report because the report I read didn’t mention shorts once?
Do you think men’s intercounty teams have to pay for their own shorts?
The fact that no one every paid for any of your kit doesn’t surprise me in the slightest.
@kieran horgan: well said. What a d**k
@kieran horgan: Well said
Once again we had Cork dual players face the issue of having to pick to play one or the other sports as neither the LGFA or Camogie appeared to speak to each other.
I’m delighted to see the statement from the GPA – there is no reason to wait for integration (which was being discussed 10 years ago!!!!) to have a female player charter. The Camogie Association and LGFA just don’t want to communicate properly, and instead appear to be in competition as opposed to building each other.
The area where i’m disappointed is the match reports on Ladies football and Camogie are pushed into a few lines or not reported on at all. The same applies to 1st Division games in the League of Ireland. The fault lies with the national bodies and their PRO’s. I was a PRO with a national minority sport and if the PRO does not push the Sport with the media in what ever way they can it will be neglected. You can get reports from 2nd Div games in England and yet not get any write up on a Ladies football or camogie game in an All Irelan championship.
@Pat O Brien: I think a simple look at the clicks on what articles appear for the ladies games answers that question, 50% of the population are women, if they don’t care I find it very hard to start blaming others.
100% agree with these women.
I get the impression that many of those in control of sport in this country consider women’s sport a nuisance and a waste of effort and resourses that have been diverted away from men’s sport.
@Stanley Marsh: but they’re literally taking money that’s been generated by the men’s game.
@Patrick Breen: really think you should stop now, as Kieran said previously I also really hope you don’t have sisters, daughters or nieces trying to play sport in Ireland right now. The Gaa don’t want to recognise them, they are seen as a hindrance in most counties. Even trying to get pitches to train or play matches in can be a challenge and that’s after begging!! Not far off the time when females were frowned upon in a bar.
@Stanley Marsh: what crap. They get the same inter county government funding as the male game. All problems are within their own games and have nothing to the GAA or any other sports body. For a start why do they need separate bodies for football and camogie.
@Sean Buckley: “They get the same inter county government funding as the male game.”
Yes, since 2021 so a lot of years of inequality to make up.
The reason they have different bodies is because the GAA was formed to cater for men’s games and women had to found their own bodies years later.
Educate yourself.
@Stanley Marsh: why don’t you educate yourself and learn to read properly. I asked why the women required 2 separate bodies. You are harping on as if it is all about misogyny when it is women having issues with other women.
@Sean Buckley: And I answered you and told you to go and educate yourself so you could find the details for youself but if your so indolent to do that I suppose I’ll have to do it for you.
The GAA only catered for men so in 1905 Camogie Association was formed to cater for those interested in camogie.
It wasn;t until 1974 that the LGFA was formed to cater for those interested in playing ladies football.
2 sepatate bodies for 2 different sets of people interested in 2 different sports.
Clear enough??
@Stanley Marsh: amazing that they are so incompetent, it took them 69 years past the setting up of the camogie association for them to decide to set up the LGFA, I live in the real world, where my sisters, cousins, female friends got called into county set ups and they literally couldn’t solo the ball, went through school where the girls got given the pitch every second day, and just laid out and didn’t even play on it, in secondary where our coach provided by the GAA (not LGFA) attempted to get a team up and running, but about 6 players turned up, where it was male teachers taking teams after school, and no female teacher ever put herself forward, equality is nice and all, but reality can be a hard one to swallow.
@Patrick Breen: I can’t say that’s my experience of “them” but then again I’d say your “real world” is quite different to most others.
Get help, if not for yourself for the sake of any poor, unfortunate female who has to put up with you.