The proposed integration of the GAA, LGFA and Camogie Association has received a massive vote of confidence from members of the three associations.
A survey commissioned by the Steering Group on Integration - which is chaired by former President of Ireland Mary McAleese - found that nine out of ten members "believe integration will be positive for Gaelic Games" with seven in ten believing it will be "very positive". More than 30,000 members completed the survey.
13 August 2023; Both teams parade behind The Artane Band before the 2023 TG4 LGFA All-Ireland Senior Championship Final match between Dublin and Kerry at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
"We greatly appreciate the time and the effort that people made to take part in this survey and thank them sincerely," said McAleese.
"The significant engagement of more than 30,000 members says a lot about how passionate the ordinary membership of the Camogie Association, LGFA and GAA is about this issue and how anxious they were to have their voices heard.
"The fact that nine out of ten members believe that integration will be positive for Gaelic games sends a very clear message about what their vision for the future is.
"There is work to be done, but there is a mandate there from members who have spoken and who have been heard."
6 August 2022; Players from Cork and Waterford shake hands before the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Camogie Championship Premier Senior Final match between Waterford and Cork at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Stephen Marken/Sportsfile
The steering group has given itself a deadline of February 2024 for the publication of its integration roadmap.
The survey also sought member opinions on the benefits they would see as a result of integration, challenges that members would like to see considered and included as part of the integration process, and the key priorities members would deem imperative to focus on post integration.
The steering group is currently working with market research company Behaviours and Attitudes on the final version of the survey responses which will be published soon.
