Kildare join national Senior ladies panels statement regarding player welfare issues

Representatives of each of the senior inter-county camogie and football panels have today released a statement through the Gaelic Players Assosciation (GPA) regarding player welfare issues. The LGFA have responded to the statement, which you can also read below.

The statement reads, "We find ourselves in a situation we never wished to be in, echoing the experiences of our soccer and rugby counterparts in recent years. Regrettably, we feel, that our National Governing Bodies do not want to hear our real concerns, so we’re speaking directly to you.

We will play the remainder of the 2023 championship under protest."

The statement goes on to cite the fate of both the Kildare camogie players, who were withdrawn from the All-Ireland Championship earlier this year, and the Cavan ladies footballers. Adding to that sentiment by saying that the ladies teams are unwilling to wait for 56 more individual battles."

The statement goes on to say, "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.

"Despite initial positive indications, the GAA has since declined our proposal. 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."

The timing of the statement comes as teams are partaking in the early stages of the Senior, Intermediate and Junior All-Ireland Championships.

The statement says, "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."

The statement is signed as from "The senior inter-county Ladies Football and Camogie panels."

The LGFA responded just over an hour later to the statement their own. It read, "The Ladies Gaelic Football Association notes with surprise the statement issued by the Gaelic Players Association (GPA) today on behalf of female inter-county panels.

"The LGFA wishes to address some items mentioned in the GPA statement. Despite claims to the contrary, the LGFA was actively involved in correspondence arising from the publication of the GPA’s ‘State of Play’ Equality report.

"The GAA, LGFA and Camogie Association were asked to ‘collectively’ commence discussions with the GPA following the circulation of a memo to National Governing Bodies (NGBs) on Squad Charters in early May.

"On behalf of the three Associations, a response was issued to point out that we are currently in a process of integration, and that inter-county charters will be one of the items for discussion."

The LGFA added to their statement their desire to reiterate its commitment to the integration process and dialogue will continue with key stakeholders.

The statement also took issue with claims made in the original statement from the GPA saying, "The LGFA takes issue with the suggestion that inter-county players are treated like ‘second class’ citizens. It should be noted that, in 2023, over €1.4m of Government funding will be allocated to LGFA inter-county squads to assist with player expense claims.

"Of this figure, over €900,000 is allocated directly to player expenses, while almost €500,000 is designated for LGFA team funding.

"The LGFA’s Central Council continues to recognise and acknowledge the vital role of the inter-county player – and earlier this year agreed that the full LGFA allocation (€1.4m) of Government funding would be assigned to player expenses for 2023, with the LGFA self-funding the team element for counties."

The statement concludes in highlighting spending by county boards and the issue of the ‘State of Play’ report. The statement concluded, "Since the publication of the ‘State of Play’ report, the LGFA has worked closely with county boards, who submitted figures relating to the preparation of adult inter-county teams during the 2023 Lidl National Football Leagues.

"Figures received indicate that a minimum of €1.8m was spent by county boards in the preparation of teams throughout the Lidl National Leagues in 2023, and with more to come during Championship season. This is a significant investment from county boards, who operate in a volunteer capacity with limited resources – and with a full schedule of activity to attend to, both at club and inter-county levels.

"We wish all of our inter-county players well for the remainder of the Championship season and we look forward to more superb action on the playing fields."

This issues comes off the back of the highly controversial decision to withdraw the Kildare Camogie players from the All-Ireland Championships this year and it appears that all of the respective Ladies panels have come together against these player welfare and treatement issues.