The Gaelic Players’ Association are hoping to increase their presence on the GAA Central Council from one representative to two, with the inclusion of a female GPA member.
Ahead of their AGM this coming Saturday at the Midlands Hotel in Portlaoise, a proposal to call on the GAA to add one extra GPA representative to GAA Central Council is one of five motions that will be put forward for debate.
The current ruling (Rule 3.35 of GAA Official Guide) states that ‘The Gaelic Players’ Association shall be represented by one named representative of the Association’.
However, the GPA, with former Mayo footballer Tom Parson’s as their CEO, hope to amend this ruling so they will hold two representatives on the GAA Central Council, one male and one female.
The GPA wish to double their representation ‘to increase diversity among Central Council’, with the inclusion of a female GPA member which will emphasise ‘the previous appeal for a female representative during the Central Council review’.
Another motion that will be put forward is to for the GPA to call on the GAA, the LGFA and the Camogie Association for improved injury coverage, addressing the inadequacy of the current insurance in safeguarding inter-county players from financial loss. A motion submitted by Clare hurler Shane O’Donnell.
The rationale behind the proposal is that ‘players out of pocket as a result of competing in Gaelic Games. Duty of care on the Associations to ensure adequate standards of care and welfare for players. Need to address the inadequacy of the current insurance in safeguarding inter-county players from financial loss, recognising their status as elite amateur athletes.’
There is also a proposal to call on the GAA to remove the pre-season competitions such as the Dr McKenna Cup, from the calendar, as the GPA feel ‘an adequate pre-season window is required post return-to play date in late November’.
Kicking off the inter-county season in January ‘does not facilitate an effective graduated increase in training load, ahead of the League. Driving pressure to return to training before the official sanctioned date and increasing cumulative demand on players across the calendar year’.
The GPA are also looking to amend past player GPA membership eligibility from 5 years to 3 years on intercounty panel and amend officer roles within NEC of GPA; remove the role of Secretary and insert Vice President role.
