The GAA is initiating a major survey of members as part of one of its biggest ever reviews  of its amateur status. 

GAA President Jarlath Burns established the Amateur Status Review Committee (ASRC) in  March 2024 under the chair of former Derry player Professor David Hassan, and this group  have been reviewing data and previous reports whilst assessing the key challenges the  GAA faces in preserving one of its most cherished values. 

Following a presentation to An Coiste Bainistíochta, it has been agreed to begin an  extensive survey and trawl of member feedback. Among the many areas covered, target  groups will be asked whether they support the establishment of a governance oversight  unit to potentially enforce the GAA’s amateur status. 

Members will also be invited to make recommendations on how the amateur status can  be protected, and whether they support the introduction of an agreed allowance for  senior inter-county team managers or, indeed, whether adherence to a strict expenses  model should be enforced. 

Feedback will also be gauged about attitudes towards reducing the number of hours asked  of inter-county players every week, the length of time designated for a closed season and  whether foreign-based training camps should be permitted. 

Following this consultation process, which will conclude on July 25th, the ASRC will report  back to Ard Chomhairle in early Autumn to seek approval for recommendations, which  may come before Special Congress later this year, with others to follow for Annual  Congress in early 2026. 

Jarlath Burns said: “The amateur status is such an important core value of  the GAA that it is only right that we carry out a review to ensure that it is fit for purpose in  2025. I know of no one in the GAA who feels that our amateur status is something to be  abolished – yet within that, we have a situation where the preparation of inter-county  teams is costing more than €40m and placing unsustainable burdens on our volunteer led  county boards, and the time demands on players are also at an all-time high. 

“Establishing the views of our members and players is critically important as part of this  review and I urge people to make the most of the opportunity to have their voice heard.”

Chair of the ASRC Professor David Hassan said: “The committee has undertaken a  comprehensive review of the issue and received written and oral testimony from  experienced professional consultants, academics, leading GAA officials and  representatives of other national governing bodies of sport. 

“Inevitably, much of the committee’s work concerned financial payments, the exponential  growth in spending by many counties on their county teams, and a pressing requirement  to consider parameters relating to demands placed upon the GAA’s amateur players.  Following a detailed presentation and discussion at a recent meeting of An Coiste  Bainistíochta, a request to commence a consultation process with key stakeholders was  ratified.” 

It is worth noting that the ASRC adopted an early decision to initially examine the relevant  issues relating to the GAA’s Amateur Status as they emerge within the inter-county game.  

This should not imply any lack of concern about these matters at other levels of our  games, but simply a reflection of a thorough, incremental examination of these issues by  the Committee. 

From today, the survey will be sent to designated focus groups, including county secretaries and inter-county players, and shortly, the survey will be made available on the  GAA website to capture the views of GAA members. 

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