GAA rules out payment for play

THE GAA can never pay a weekly allowance to inter-county players – or even to consider compensation for loss of earnings – if it is to remain an amateur organisation, Association President Sean Kelly insisted yesterday.

He was speaking after Central Council ratified a raft of recommendations put forward by the GAA's Amateur Status Committee aimed at addressing the concerns of players. And he conceded that the increase in the travel allowance from 38c to 45c from next month and to 50c from the beginning of next year will place a severe financial burden on counties, many of whom are insolvent.

"Obviously, we are increasing the mileage rate at a time when it's very difficult for us but it goes to show how serious we are about addressing the concerns of players and particularly our elite players who play at inter-county level," he commented.

"It is difficult, but it's one of the priorities for us and we have given it that priority," he added.

Over the course of 13 meetings, the Committee concluded that the payment of a weekly allowance (sought by the GPA), would be 'blatantly in breach' of the Association's amateur code.

He disclosed that they had shown 'great sympathy' in regard to the issue of compensation for loss of earnings, due to playing.

It was established that if you concede that a person is entitled to compensation for loss of earnings, then that also is a breach of the amateur situation. "It would be the same as pay-for-play."

Mr Kelly revealed that some counties expressed 'grave reservations' about their ability to pay the increased mileage rates, which will cost €4.5m, compared to €3.8m just three years ago.

A total of 19 counties were in debt at the end of last year and several more are said to be on 'the brink of indebtedness.'

In an effort to allay the situation for these counties, the Central Council will be setting side as much as they can afford. In the current year, this will amount to €250,000. Additionally, according to the President, county committees will have to control their expenditure in conjunction with players' committees and team management to see what is most desirable and to get the best value for money. There will also be a need to ensure that county players in the different grades are training at the correct level and to this end guidelines will be issued shortly from Croke Park.

These will have the effect of regulating formal training sessions by county panels. Mr Kelly does not envisage cutbacks being made in physical development, commenting: "We hope we won't have to, but at the same time it's probably something that will have to be looked at down the line.

"We will have to make ends meet and to that end we will be keeping a very close eye on the increase this year. Hopefully, we will get bigger crowds at our games and that we will generate finance in other ways, through commercial opportunities and so forth."

Mr Kelly outlined his proposals for the establishment of a new Players Committee. His hope is that county panels will be called together over the next fortnight to elect one representative for hurling and football and from there each province would elect two players to sit on a committee at national level. He will nominate the chairman.