The Gaelic Players’ Association is to push a motion for this month’s Congress calling for the GAA to “expedite integration with the LGFA and the Camogie Association”.
The GPA formally merged with the WGPA last year and while there have been movements towards bringing the three bodies under the one umbrella in terms of pooling sponsorship, for example, the players’ body feels that it now needs to be stepped up.
GAA Congress takes place in Mayo on February 25/26 and the GPA motion asks that “the GAA prioritise integration with the LGFA and Camogie Association in order to jointly ensure equal investment, recognition and opportunity for all genders to play all sports in the Gaelic Games family”.
GPA chief executive and former Mayo footballer Tom Parsons commented: “The spirit of this motion is about action for gender equality in sport and bringing the Gaelic family together. It is about showing women and girls, whether they are involved in Gaelic games or not, that the biggest sporting and cultural organisation in Ireland values you every bit as much as it does your brothers, partners, nephews and husbands.
“We appreciate and respect the three NGBs (national governing bodies) have been on a journey towards closer links and closer cooperation. What players are asking for now is that the GAA expedite this process, in a spirit of consultation with the LGFA and Camogie Association. I believe this change will have the power to unite us and ignite Gaelic games.
“The outcome players want to see is a road map that sets out clear actions and timelines that leads to one national organisation overseeing our games. Players believe in today’s world we must deliver equal opportunity, recognition and investment regardless of gender and that this motion supports the GAA mantra ‘Where we all belong’.”
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