The remainder of the 2023 Ladies Football and Camogie Championships will be played “under protest” as the row over integration continues.
In a statement issued via the GPA, representatives of the two female inter-county codes stressed that the rest of the season wouldn’t be “business as usual” and hinted at further action.
There is growing frustration among the players at a lack of a charter for female inter-county players and they’ve hit out at the GAA, the LGFA and the Camogie Association for failing to engage in discussions.
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“Regrettably, we feel that our National Governing Bodies do not want to hear our real concerns, so we’re speaking directly to you,” the statement read.
“We will play the remainder of the 2023 championship under protest.
“Our representative body, the Gaelic Players Association, released the State of Play Report two months ago, which shed light on significant issues within our training and playing environments.
“The main request has been well-documented; we asked the LGFA, the Camogie Association, and the GAA to engage in discussions with the GPA to develop a charter designed for female players to be implemented in the 2024 season. This charter would establish minimum standards for our collective welfare.
“Upon the report’s publication, the GPA privately contacted the three National Governing Bodies, seeking collaboration to achieve an agreed-upon charter. Our aim was to work together towards a positive outcome that would make us all proud.”
The statement also claimed that the GAA “declined” a proposal to work towards the charter with the other governing bodies.
“Despite initial positive indications, the GAA has since declined our proposal,” the statement continued.
“The Camogie Association, however, did request a presentation to be made to their Ard Chomhairle, which took place last week. Regrettably, the LGFA has not deemed it appropriate to respond.
“Their primary rationale is that they prefer to complete the integration process before initiating a charter for female players. Despite the evidence presented, they expect us to patiently endure the treatment of second-class citizens.
“We are no longer willing to wait. It has been over 18 months since integration was declared a priority and voted in by the membership of the three Associations.
“While the National Governing Bodies claim to be listening, it is evident that they are not truly hearing us. Urgent issues affecting player welfare have been brought to their attention, yet they refuse to even engage collectively to discuss solutions.
“We as players are not receiving the respect we deserve. Therefore, do not expect business as usual in the upcoming weeks and months.
“In recent months Cavan’s footballers and Kildare’s camogie players have shown us what potentially lies in store for all of us if nothing changes.We are not willing to wait for 56 more individual battles to arise.
“We stand here together, unified. And together, we will remain resolute in our pursuit of a better future.”
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