GPA CEO Tom Parsons says some socially disadvataged female inter-county GAA players ‘can’t afford to pick up the bill to play.’
The former Mayo star firmly believes the resources are there in GAA to equalise expenses for female inter-county players - if there is a real will to make it happen.
Parsons’ comments came as a new report lifted the lid on what GPA chiefs termed the “shocking” reality of life for one of their 1579 inter-county camogie or ladies football members.
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The report found that only 9.5 percent of female inter-county players receive any travel expenses, compared to 100 percent of their male counterparts.
Of the 9.5 percent, six percent received less than 20 cent per mile, with 3 percent getting between 20 and 40 cent.
90percent received no expenses whatsoever.
Male inter-county players receive 70 cent per mile up to 7,000 miles, when it drops off to 40 cent per mile. (45p in the north, with increased nutrition allowances).
A green rate of €1 per mile is available when two or more players car pool, up to 6,000 miles and drops to 60 cent thereafter.
The report also revealed that 13 percent of female inter-county players regularly miss training due to the costs involved - and that figure doesn’t include players who opt out for financial reasons.
Parsons says the GPA are not seeking immediate equalisation of expenses, but require “a pathway to close the gap.”
He is adamant it’s an issue that can’t wait until the integration of the GAA, Camogie Association and LFGA, as players will be lost to the game.
“What we don’t want is a vacuum to wait until all the t’s and i’s are crossed in terms of integration and we are rolling this out in three or four years’ time,” he said.
The former Mayo star stated that male inter-county expenses account for between 4 and 5 percent of the GAA’s consolidated income - a figure in excess of €150 million - compared to 50percent in some male professional sports.
He said that even almost doubling investment to include the same level of expenses for female players would be “the deal of a lifetime for a federation.”
“We don’t want players who are socially disadvantaged because they can’t, or their parents’ can’t, afford to pick up the bill that they opt out," said Parsons.
“If you have the capability, the talent, and the motivation to play for your club and then you are selected to go on and play for your county, in Gaelic Games your financial prowess should not be a factor in terms of going to play.
“You should be reimbursed.”
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