Congress to discuss mandatory gum shields
The motion, if passed, will make it illegal for ladies footballers in all grades, at club and inter-county levels, to play the game without a protective mouthpiece.
Association President Pat Quill said: “I would prefer to educate players on the wearing of gum shields but delegates will make that decision. I reckon half of our players are wearing them and the other half are not. But with education, the amount of players using gum shields has increased.”
The Ladies Association runs its own injury fund scheme, with a separate registration process to the GAA.
Quill explained: “Every person has to pay a membership fee and some goes to the club, county board, provincial council and central council. Per person, it works out at roughly €50 for the year and represents great value.”
Quill also revealed that income from the injury fund scheme exceeds the amount of money paid out.
He said: “We are still running at a profit — taking in more than we pay out. We have to ensure that claims are very closely scrutinised but it’s a case of so far, so good. The costs involved fluctuate and for example, cruciate ligament injuries and teeth are expensive.”
Looking ahead to the start of the Bord Gáis Energy Leagues next weekend, Quill repeated his prediction that an attendance of 50,000 can be attracted to Croke Park for All-Ireland final day within 10 years.
But the Wexford native admitted a continuing struggle to attract new fans of the ladies game.
He said: “Our biggest problem, and this is across all female sports, is that they don’t support their own game. It happens in camogie, hockey and in all games across the sphere of women’s sports. But things are improving. It’s all part of getting to the eventual aim — 50,000 at the All-Ireland finals within 10 years. And we do have the second biggest ladies spectator sport in the world — second only behind soccer.”
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