Hartley leads GPA’s job hunt

THE GPA has commissioned four recruitment experts to help inter-county players find employment, with former Waterford captain Fergal Hartley designated the Munster agent.

Hartley, who will again take charge of the county’s U21s this year, will use resources within his Waterford city-based recruitment company Hartley People to assist players in the six Munster counties.

In both voluntary and part-time capacities, Hartley has been working to find employment for inter-county players in Waterford as well as Wexford and Kilkenny. He had been working with the GPA before providing services to players in the south-east of the country.

But his position has developed into catering for the province of Munster and he sees the development as a payback to those who provide so much to the Association and, by extension, the country.

“These services are absolutely critical for inter-county players,” said Hartley. “Without them, we will lose some of our top inter-county players and fringe players.

“Players who have been around a long time seem to be looked after in some shape or form.

“It’s the up-and-coming player or the player just out of college who hasn’t yet made a name for himself who are most at risk because they’re not high profile as of yet.

“There has been the potential to lose a star to Australia or America. It’s important that the GAA is supporting county players.

“For the entertainment and enjoyment that they provide to so many people, it’s only right that they should have these services.”

The GPA will let the players know their respective agents next month and from there they will meet to discuss the various services on offer.

“One is career planning, second is putting together professional CVs and cover letters. The third part is interview coaching and the fourth is job searching techniques. That’s different to career planning in that it’s about how best to maximise the potential of each place they’re searching, be it a website or networking.

“We’ll be offering professional advice that might not be available to other job seekers. It’s a very focused and targeted service.

“It’s really expanding on what’s been done to date and players appreciate they’re getting good value and a good return so far. They appreciate the work being done for them.”

However, Hartley acknowledges the economic climate has seen the currency of wearing a county jersey diminish in the workplace.

“The days of companies taking on inter-county players just because they’re inter-county players are gone. Companies need them to add value to their businesses.

“In the past, players almost always ended up in sales roles and in the good times targets in some of those positions were easier to achieve.

“That’s not to say they weren’t delivering but there is no tolerance among companies for employees not delivering.

“Players getting time off for training and matches has never been more difficult. They have to conduct themselves in employment the same as anybody else.

“With exception to companies owned by fanatical GAA people, few allowances are made. Inter-county players will only be employed if companies think they can get a return from them.”

Particularly for hurlers, using their profiles to advance in jobs or to attract employment has been made increasingly difficult given its relative lack of coverage compared to Gaelic football. The compulsory helmet rule doesn’t help either.

“Profile is a factor for hurlers. There seems to be more anonymity among them compared to football.

“The days of Dan Shanahan, Tony Browne, Ciaran Carey, Diarmuid O’Sullivan, instantly recognisable players nationwide, are gone.

“Hurlers just aren’t as prominent as they used to be. It’s an issue especially when they’re selling their profile and relying on it to open doors for companies.

“The helmet rule can’t be and shouldn’t be changed. Profile can’t come before safety but it’s true hurlers are suffering more in that regard.”