CPA aims for 60,000 members

Club players’ organisation urges its supporters to step up massive recruitment drive

THE Club Players Association is undertaking a fresh recruitment drive, designed to take membership numbers past 60,000 as quickly as possible.

They are also recommending that players assert themselves at committee level in clubs to drive home the ‘Fix the Fixtures’ message.

In an email sent to members yesterday, CPA chairman Micheál Briody urged players to encourage colleagues to join an organisation which claims to have attracted more than 20,000 since being launched less than two months ago.

“Since Saturday, 3,000 players have joined the CPA. It is important that we continue to build our membership as the representative body for club players. We now encourage you to bring more members to the CPA. Our objective is this: we are asking every member to recruit two additional players,” writes Briody.

He also calls on players to take on administrative affairs in their clubs in order to increase influence.

“Committees are not for everyone but the GAA works through committees. Our message is straightforward – get involved. Engage your representatives, join your club committee.

“Ask questions of club and county officials. Which way did they vote (on the All-Ireland championship changes) on Saturday and why. If the proposals were not discussed in your club or your team, ask the question – why not?”

Briody tells the players that the Congress decision to replace the All-Ireland quarter-finals with a ‘Super 8’ round-robin “will have far-reaching effects for your season, irrespective of whether you play one code or both or the level you play.”

He also says that despite the decision going against CPA wishes, it will continue the ‘Fix the Fixtures’ campaign, ‘unbowed, undiminished and with renewed determination.’

“More than ever we believe a thinktank and proper forum is a priority to fully address the GAA fixtures programme,” writes Briody.

He tells members that it’s the CPA who have kept fixtures issues “in the spotlight in recent weeks” and promises to continue agitating into the future.

“We will continue to work with the GAA authorities. We are all members of the same Association and we all have a right to have our views heard.

“We believe it’s not who’s right but what’s right. The CPA campaign continues,” writes Briody.