Every senior inter-county camogie and ladies gaelic football panel announced today that they will play the remainder of the 2023 Championship "under protest".
In the statement released by the Gaelic Players Association (GPA), representatives from both the inter-county camogie and ladies football panel announced that they would be playing the rest of the season under protest as a result of an apparent lack of progress shown by the governing bodies and the GAA regarding player welfare issues.
Statement on behalf of the senior inter-county camogie and football panels#UnitedForEquality pic.twitter.com/lVZXbOojjM
— GPA (@gaelicplayers) June 19, 2023
Two months ago the GPA released the State of Play Report, which shed light on significant issues within the training and playing environments in the ladies' inter-county setup.
In the report, the two playing groups requested that the "LGFA, the Camogie Association, and the GAA 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."
Claiming that there has been little development shown by the three organisations to implement a charter for female players, the inter-county camogie and football panels announced in a statement released today by the GPA that they 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."
"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."
The past few months have seen the Cavan football ladies protest over training conditions and the Kildare camogie ladies being withdrawn from the All-Ireland intermediate Camogie championship with the players being informed about the decision via a WhatsApp message.
These two events have highlighted why the ladies' panels requested this change in the first place and why they feel like they are 2nd class citizens in their own sport.
In the statement, the inter-county camogie and football players said they are no longer willing to wait for more disheartening scenarios to happen before they take action.
"We as players are not receiving the respect we deserve. Therefore, do not expect business as usual in the upcoming weeks and months".
"In recent months Cavan's footballers and Kildare's camogie players have shown us what potentially lies in store for all of us if nothing changes."
"We are not willing to wait for 56 more individual battles to arise."
Inter-County Camogie And Football Media Event
At the media event this morning in the Radisson hotel in Dublin, representatives of 24 intercounty squads were present to underline the issue and highlight their concerns.
Some notable faces present at the event were Dublin Camogie's Aisling Maher, Dublin footballer Carla Rowe and Meath football Vikki Wall.
The joint statement from the inter-county camogie and football panels highlighted how the two playing groups have become frustrated over the lack of progress and respect shown for player welfare issues.
A failure to implement a charter has frustrated the players as they feel they are being treated as "2nd class citizens" in the GAA.
LGFA'S Response To Inter-County Camogie and Football Team's Statement
In response to the statement released by the GPA, alongside both the inter-county camogie and football panels, The LGFA said they were surprised by the statement and take offence with the part of the statement which the players say they are being treated as "2nd class citizens".
"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 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 Camogie Associations Release Their Own Statement
The Camogie Association has been the first out of the three organisations addressed in the joint statement released by inter-county camogie and football captains and the GPA today, to issue a statement in response to the statement.
The statement released by the Camogie's Association read:
"The GPA shared their State of Play document with the Camogie Association, and on June 14th, 2023, the GPA presented the report to Ard Chomhairle at the invitation of the Camogie Association."
"The GPA undertook to provide more detailed information on the Camogie data at the request of the Camogie Association. The concerns outlined in the report were discussed, and it was agreed to consider the more detailed information and identify priority areas to be addressed."
"The Camogie Association remains available for further discussions and awaits the more detailed information. requested. "
The Association also addressed the players want to have a charter introduced for female players.
"The total funding of €5,641,791 for the Inter County Government Support Scheme in 2023 is equivalent to the funding provided to male counterparts on a pro-rata basis, ensuring equal financial support for both codes."
"As part of the ongoing integration process, a player charter for both male and female codes will be agreed upon in due course."
SEE ALSO: Ladies Football; This Weekend's Senior LGFA Championship Fixtures
