GPA clarifies role in player welfare issues

The Gaelic Players Association last night issued a detailed rebuttal of recent criticism it has received in the media, outlining its work across a broad variety of areas.

The player organisation published a detailed FAQ (frequently asked questions) statement on its website pointing out the extent of its operations, stating: “1,945 players have availed of our elective services over the past three years of the Development Programme. This is where players specifically engage with programmes such as personal development coaching, career development, business start-up, personal counselling, educational support and other such services.

“However, in addition ALL county players receive non-elective services such as cardiac screening, enhanced injury cover and mouth guards (footballers). Every county player also receives an annual Government grant which was vigorously campaigned for by the GPA to bring about parity of esteem with other elite level athletes supported by the State.

“This funding is distributed through the GPA directly to players to assist with the significant costs associated with preparing and playing the game at the top level which are not covered by the traditional county board ‘mileage expenses’.”

The website statement went on to break down the funding for further education and medical care: “The GPA has distributed nearly €2.5 million worth of scholarships since the Education Programme was introduced in 2010. Personal coaching, cardiac surgery, residential care for players suffering from mental health issues or various addictions, former players requiring support for knee and hip replacements who have no private health insurance are only some of the services that the GPA provides for members.”

There are also details available of the GPA’s work in America: “The GPA decided to initiate a fundraising campaign at home through corporate support and abroad via philanthropic contributions. Like many other Irish organisations, the GPA looked to seek support from the Irish-American community.”

The Association also detailed its staff, comparing numbers with other organisations representing sports people: “The GPA employs a staff of 11, 10 full-time and one part-time. Our officers, national executive committee, finance committee, remuneration committee and working groups who total 35 are all volunteers.

“Many of the programmes the GPA provides for players such as career development, business start-up, scholarship support, are delivered in-house while personal development coaching, counselling, educational advice are provided externally across the country. The GPA represents 2,100 current playing members. This is one of the largest current athlete memberships of any players association across Europe, or indeed in the world. We also have a growing former player constituency which is supported in various aspects of their own lives. By comparison, the Professional Footballers Association in the UK has a staff of 60. The Professional Cricketers Association have approximately 450 current playing members — a fifth of what the GPA is dealing with — and supported by 17 full-time and three part-time staff.

“The GPA Development Programme is highly relevant in supporting elite amateur players who are not earning salaries from their sports careers but are managing the challenges associated with a ‘dual career’ — their career in sport and their career/education/life outside of sport. Annually nearly 80% of GAA funding is generated by the inter-county game through sponsorship, broadcast rights and gate receipts — and it is roughly the same percentage that is redistributed throughout the GAA at all levels. The contribution made by the county player to the commercial success of the county game cannot be underestimated, as indeed the importance of the county game to the entire Association.”

Further details on the GPA’s activities can be found in the FAQ at gaelicplayers.com