For how much longer will volunteerism in the GAA be sustainable?

A human relations review suggests the scale of change needed in the GAA is significant

Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael Larry McCarthy and Ard Stiúrthóir of the GAA Tom Ryan with the Croke Park stewards before the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship Final match between Kilkenny and Limerick at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Daire Brennan/Sportsfile

In April of this year, GAA director general Tom Ryan presented to Central Council a summary of a human relations review the association had commissioned in 2020.

The findings were startling to say the least. The report found major flaws with the organisational structure in several areas. Words like 'lack' and 'absence of' were attached to employment conditions and practices, namely the lack of contracts and agreements, as well as job descriptions and performance management.