The GAA have entered into an interim arrangement with the Gaelic Players’ Association (GPA) with the goal of affording them official status and recognition as the Association’s player representative body.
After ten weeks of discussion between the two associations, facilitated by Turlough O’Donnell SC, a statement released by the GAA this afternoon outlined a broad range of interim provisions and a time frame that sets a date of October 21st 2010 for a comprehensive agreement, pending approval at Central Council’s next meeting on December 5th and next year’s Annual Congress.
The provisions will ultimately see the GPA fully funded from central GAA funds, to include both player welfare projects and administration costs.
The interim provisions allow for an additional €1.1 million to fund player welfare projects in 2010 in addition to existing GAA commitments to player welfare. The GAA will also provide the GPA with €250,000 towards its administration costs for both 2009 and 2010.
This looks to end the GPA’s demand for a fixed percentage of GAA income, one of the most contentious issues in the discussions.
The funding will involve advance evaluation of all projects and costs as well as evaluation subsequent to the expenditure of the funds and the process will be conducted with full transparency.
Today’s statement reads: “A series of discussions have taken place over the last two months between the GAA and the GPA. We are pleased to announce that common ground has been found which safeguards and enshrines the GAA’s amateur status while at the same time affording the GPA official status and recognition as the Association’s Player Representative Body.
GAA president Christy Cooney said: “This is an important day for the Association and one that I believe will lead to a brand new working relationship with the GPA, a body that has been in existence for the past 10 years.
“We are confident that we can forge a relationship with our inter-county players that will be for the betterment of the GAA as a whole.
“We have always been committed to our amateur and voluntary ethos and the belief structure that has underpinned the values at the heart of our Association.
“With these proposals we have stayed true to these ideals while at the same time coming to a position that recognises the important role that our inter-county players play in the promotion and commercial well being of the Association.
“Our exchanges with the GPA have been frank and cordial and I think the progress that has been made is reflected in the agreement that we have reached. I acknowledge the role of everyone involved, but especially Turlough O’Donnell.
“This is the beginning of formalising the relationship between the two bodies and we look forward to building on this very important first step.”
GPA chief executive Dessie Farrell said: “Official recognition for the players’ association will provide a platform on which the GAA and the GPA can work together to secure a better future for our games and our players.
This interim arrangement is the culmination of years of hard work on both sides to establish trust and understanding. I would like to thank the many people within the GAA and GPA who contributed to that process to date and the players who strived to have their distinctive voice heard within the GAA.”