Government support for Ladies Football and Camogie players
June 15, 2016
BR: Helen O'Rourke, CEO LGFA, Joan O'Flynn, CEO Camogie Association, Kieran Mulvey, Chairperson Sport Ireland, Patrick O'Donovan, Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, John Treacy, CEO Sport Ireland, Marie Hickey, President LGFA and Aoife Lane, WGPA. FR: Kate Nolan, Carlow Camogie, and Anna Conlon, Leitrim Football all at the announcement of the government's support for inter-county Ladies Football and Camogie players.
©INPHO/Morgan Treacy.
The Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Patrick O'Donovan TD, today announced a two-year agreement, commencing in 2017, to provide support for inter-county Ladies Football and Camogie players.
Minister O'Donovan announced that he will be providing funding of €500,000 in 2017 and 2018, through Sport Ireland, to support programmes included in a joint proposal by the Women's Gaelic Players Association (WGPA), the Camogie Association and the Ladies Gaelic Football Association (LGFA).
A Steering Group comprising of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Sport Ireland, the WGPA, the Camogie Association and the LGFA has been established to agree the details of the two-year funding programme.
The Steering Group is currently establishing the logistical and administrative arrangements that will underpin the two-year agreement and the disbursement of the funding of €500,000 for each of the two years.
The financial support will be aimed towards programmes such as injury prevention and medical cover; maximising player and team performance and access to training facilities.
Minister O'Donovan said: "I want to take this opportunity to recognise the valuable contribution that our inter-county Ladies Football and Camogie players make to Gaelic games. Their success is important, not just at a sporting level, but also on the ground level where they inspire young women to become involved in Ladies Football or Camogie, and stay involved throughout school and into their adult life."
Chairperson of Sport Ireland Kieran Mulvey commented: "Government support for inter-county Ladies Gaelic Football and the Camogie Association players, distributed through Sport Ireland, is an indicator of the recognition that exists at national level for the unique contribution the players make as the leading exponents of our indigenous national games, the contribution that players make to the economic and social fabric of the nation and their commitment to play the game at highest level possible.
"I would like to acknowledge the Minister, Ladies Gaelic Football Association, the Camogie Association and WGPA in supporting the scheme."
Catherine Neary, President of the Camogie Association said: "I warmly welcome this significant Government funding of €1m over two years towards supporting women in Gaelic games at the highest levels.
"This funding is a very strong affirmation and recognition of the commitment by inter-county Camogie and football players in pursuit of high athletic standards. It is also a recognition of the additional financial support needed so that women Gaelic games' players and teams can benefit from the appropriate specialist supports and expertise that is available and required to maximise team performance at representative levels.
"Our inter-county Camogie players showcase the game at its best through their own dedication and with the support of their clubs and county boards these funds will positively impact on clubs and communities throughout the country through the reach and profile of the players locally and nationally.
"The Government and the Minister's commitment to make available these new monies, at a time when participation, interest and standards of Camogie were never higher, is a significant milestone for Camogie and a strong vote of confident in its future development.
"I would like to thank the Minister, the Government, Departmental officials, Sport Ireland and my colleagues in the LGFA and WGPA for their collaboration and co-operation in this step forward for women in sport."
Neary's Ladies Gaelic Football Association counterpart Marie Hickey stated: "This is a most welcome announcement of extra funding for our players and those from our sister organisation in the Camogie Association.
"It is further recognition that our Gaelic games players are amongst the most elite athletes in the country. The funding will help to facilitate our counties and our players to continue to strive to perform to the best of their abilities.
"Ladies Gaelic Football has made significant strides in recent years in terms of playing numbers and match attendances and we believe that, with the support announced from the Minister and Sport Ireland, we will be able to continue to blaze a trail for women's sport in this country.
"I would like to thank our colleagues in the Camogie Association and the Women's Gaelic Player's Association for their help in making this announcement possible and I look forward to working with them to ensure that the funding is administered in the fairest and most accountable way possible."
WGPA Chairperson Aoife Lane remarked: "The 'Let's Make Things Better' report from 2014 indicated that players' priorities around the WGPA included the development of minimum standards at county level that would help them achieve their best as athletes.
"This subsequently has formed a central part of our work in the WGPA over the last 18 months. Many of the constraints at county level are related to funding so this investment from the Government is a very welcome development for the WGPA and all associated with Ladies Football and Camogie.
"This funding will support administrators, managers and players and is a fantastic collaboration between the Camogie Association, Ladies Gaelic Football Association, Sport Ireland, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and ourselves in the WGPA.
"We see this as an exciting move forward for Ladies Football and Camogie, and a worthy and welcome acknowledgment of the commitment, talent and societal contribution of county players across both games."
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