GPA vote to create a CMO position
THE Gaelic Players Association is calling for the immediate creation of a Chief Medical Officer post within Gaelic games.
The position would span the GAA, Ladies Gaelic Football Association and Camogie Association with a view to improving player welfare across the codes.
A motion to that effect was passed unanimously yesterday at the GPA AGM where the full rationale for the position was outlined: ‘Centralised oversight of player welfare. Medical expertise informing policy and implementing best practice. Standardising minimum standards of care across codes, grades and counties. Aligning policies and procedures across the GAA, LGFA & CA in line with integration.’
Another motion of note to be passed unanimously related to redistributing funding for ‘female and vulnerable member initiatives’. This motion seeks to ringfence and distribute surplus generated in 2021 to support players most in need. The rationale? ‘No funding for female players from NGBs within 2022 season, no charter provisions. Proportion of male members not claiming any expenses. Increase in costs of fuel, groceries, equipment hitting the players most in need the hardest. Surplus funding to be redistributed as welfare contributions among eligible members.’
A motion to increase the National Executive Committee of the GPA from 16 to 20 members was also passed. This is intended ‘to create space for diversity among the leadership group within the GPA – bring forward young leaders and get a greater range of voices with input into GPA decision making. Providing leadership opportunities on the back of the pathways within GPA personal development programmes.’
The address of CEO Tom Parsons outlined the progress made in 2021. ‘More than 2,200 players received support through our world-class player development and welfare programmes. Over 800 male and female inter-county players received our education scholarship, and over 300 participated in our GPA Rookie programme. An investment of over €1 million was spent on education alone. Our Jim Madden Leadership programme received a best-in-class award from EU Athletes. Erasmus+ EU funding will now see other player unions across the EU adopt our leadership programme within their associations.
‘Inter-county players led the way to raise an equality motion at GAA congress, that subsequently helped secure a commitment from the GAA, LGFA and CA to integrate and deliver “equal investment, recognition and opportunities for all.”’ With that in mind, the GPA is to pursue the creation of a female players’ charter, even as discussion on a 2023 charter for male players is already underway.
Meanwhile, all adult club championship games in Donegal, including today’s scheduled county senior football final between St Eunan’s and Naomh Conaill, have been postponed as a mark of respect to the lives lost in the service station tragedy in Creeslough on Friday.