The GPA wants a female squad charter for inter-county panel implement to replicate the male equivalent which currently exists.
An agreement on a squad charter between the GPA and GAA covering male inter-county players already exists. The charter agrees minimum standards for inter-county players with regards to ports science support (including access to physios, strength and conditioning expertise and medical professionals), provision of training and playing gear and travel and nutritional expenses.
Now the GPA want the GAA, LGFA and Camogie Association to work towards establishing an identical charter for female athletes and insists that they should not be as result of the proposed integration between the national governing bodies (NGBs), but moves to establish a female squad charter should begin now.
That was the main message to emerge from the GPA’s launch of their State of Play Equality Report on Tuesday in Dublin.
The GPA raised the issue of a female squad charter during its presentation to the Steering Group on Integration (SGI), which is chaired by Mary McAleese, on March 21. However, GPA CEO Tom Parson is insisting they should be waiting on the outcome of the SGI’s work before implementing the charter.
“While we respect that the integration process will take some time to achieve, we believe that there are important steps that can be taken towards levelling the playing field for female players as things progress. We should not have to wait until complete integration has been delivered,” Parsons said.
“A Squad Charter for female inter-county players delivered in cooperation between the GAA, LGFA and CA would be one such step and would be a significant statement from the three NGBs in support of equality.”
“Current female inter-county players should not have to wait until integration is fully completed to receive the playing environment they deserve.”
The State of Play Equality Report was published following a survey of 1600 inter-county players. It found that 43 per cent of female inter-county players were students as opposed to 24 per cent of male players, meaning they were more likely to experience financial difficulty as a result of playing inter-county Gaelic games.
The average age of a female inter-county player is 24.8 as opposed to 27.2 for males.
National Executive Co-Chair Maria Kinsella stated: "Today we launch our 'State of Play Report' which yet again clearly identifies the level of inequality and difference in minimum standards experienced by female inter-county players. While some progress has been made in recent years, this level of inequality will never be eliminated until the GAA, LGFA and Camogie Association work together as 'One Association' and share their resources.
Her Co-Chair, Matthew O’Hanlon adde:; “We know that a major gap exists between conditions for male and female players. The GPA took a number of steps to close this gap following the merger with the WGPA. The government took a major step by equalising public funding for male and female players. We’re now looking for the three NGBs to take this step.
“We want negotiations to start as soon as possible so that a consistent, workable charter is in place for our female members to be implemented from the 2024 season onwards. That will be almost two years since the GAA Congress motion on integration was passed as a priority.”
