National Forum

GPA And Equality

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I read alot of coverage last week about the push for inclusion for Womens Games under the wider GAA umbrella. I think the sentiment is wonderful and long overdue (Appreciating that's its not straightforward).

However, I saw the GPA trying to position themselves at the front of the discussion. A group that itself is elitist and represents the minority of GAA players in the country and I'm questioning their motivation. The same group remained silent during the recent issues around player welfare during the Sigerson and Fitzgibbon competitions. There's hasn't been a peep out of them in regard to recent allegations of sectarian abuse by their members and over the last 10 years as sledging has increased 10 fold they have remained mum.

In fact before their push for GPA style equality the only thing press releases stemmed around a GPA branded protein bar, this group appear motivated solely by commercial revenue and i would urge all Gaels to always be cognisant of this fact.

WunderBar (Galway) - Posts: 290 - 02/03/2022 09:18:02    2403362

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Replying To WunderBar:  "I read alot of coverage last week about the push for inclusion for Womens Games under the wider GAA umbrella. I think the sentiment is wonderful and long overdue (Appreciating that's its not straightforward).

However, I saw the GPA trying to position themselves at the front of the discussion. A group that itself is elitist and represents the minority of GAA players in the country and I'm questioning their motivation. The same group remained silent during the recent issues around player welfare during the Sigerson and Fitzgibbon competitions. There's hasn't been a peep out of them in regard to recent allegations of sectarian abuse by their members and over the last 10 years as sledging has increased 10 fold they have remained mum.

In fact before their push for GPA style equality the only thing press releases stemmed around a GPA branded protein bar, this group appear motivated solely by commercial revenue and i would urge all Gaels to always be cognisant of this fact."
Like any union they only only represent a very small group. I don't ever recall a hurler from Kerry or Wicklow or footballer from Waterford ever saying how they've helped them.

It's been well documented what goes on with them but it's just ignored. How many long retired players have been benefiting from them by going on overseas fundraising etc

oneoff (UK) - Posts: 1380 - 02/03/2022 09:37:45    2403372

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Replying To WunderBar:  "I read alot of coverage last week about the push for inclusion for Womens Games under the wider GAA umbrella. I think the sentiment is wonderful and long overdue (Appreciating that's its not straightforward).

However, I saw the GPA trying to position themselves at the front of the discussion. A group that itself is elitist and represents the minority of GAA players in the country and I'm questioning their motivation. The same group remained silent during the recent issues around player welfare during the Sigerson and Fitzgibbon competitions. There's hasn't been a peep out of them in regard to recent allegations of sectarian abuse by their members and over the last 10 years as sledging has increased 10 fold they have remained mum.

In fact before their push for GPA style equality the only thing press releases stemmed around a GPA branded protein bar, this group appear motivated solely by commercial revenue and i would urge all Gaels to always be cognisant of this fact."
Good post, GPA is elitist representing approx 2% of the membership. They have a large number of highly paid personnel & the GAA in giving them a percentage of all commercial GAA revenue, has made them the most powerful body within the GAA. Provincial Councils & Congress are no longer the power brokers. The proposed amalgamation of the Camogie & LGFA Associations in to the organisation has been welcomed by all, but has been hijacked by the GPA, who will use it, not to represent the club players in these organisations, just the elite County players. It gives them more leverage now that they will have gender balance to squeeze the GAA & Govt for more funding every time.

The recent Green Proposal on football C'ship has increased the number of games for Inter County players, the GPA are always on about player welfare & burnout, yet campaigned for 65% more games, but more games means more TV Rights money & more revenue for GPA. The forked tongue syndrome.

I expect you will never hear anything but spin & denial from them about the sledging & its disgusting to read about alleged sectarian & racist abuse at the top levels of the sport.

In the long term, the GAA is heading for a Semi Pro or Pro set up at Inter County level. It is already there with a huge black market economy working within that level, the number of managers being paid & not declaring income is massive with a blind eye been turned by the Revenue Commisioners.

Players receive grants & other perks & it won't be long till players demand more of the TV money. How long before the first case of infringement of image rights by a GAA player. The GAA are making big money from TV Rights with the image rights of players, so I can see the GPA eventually taking strike action on this if players start demanding it. Maybe people are happy to see a Semi Pro/Pro set up as many now are armchair GAA fans, but everyone seems to forget the 98% of the m'ship & its role in the GAA. Already the rate of drop out at club level is massive, how many times did you hear from Congress this week about the effect of the Green Proposal on club players, not one peep from anybody within the higher echelons that run the Association.

A two tier Association now & all we ever hear from those paid within the GAA to run it & the GPA is about county players & their C'ship, it's a constant blitzkreig. You never ever hear those same paid employees of the GAA or GPA saying anything about clubs, other than when looking to be elected to higher office. The foundation block of the GAA was amateur ethos & volunteerism, nowadays the foundation blocks have been replaced by Greed & media profile. What's in it for me is the new motto, long gone is the how can I volunteer to help.

moc.dna (Galway) - Posts: 1212 - 02/03/2022 10:18:39    2403387

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You can't separate the GPA from the integration move. It is coming from the women GPA members.

Indeed, far from male members being the opposition - there is virtually none - there is likely to be more delegates opposed at the LGFA and Camogie Congresses.

GPA have very cleverly pitched this as some LGFA and Camogie Association officials trying to keep their jobs, whereas the real bottom line is the extension of commercial pulling power of inter county players to women, and the boosting of the GPA's own status within the association.

Nothing to do with "equality" but if anyone questions this they are lit on as though they were in favour of women not being able to vote or go to school!

BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 2584 - 02/03/2022 16:09:11    2403508

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Lot of paranoia here

Seanfanbocht (Roscommon) - Posts: 1444 - 02/03/2022 16:32:26    2403516

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Replying To Seanfanbocht:  "Lot of paranoia here"
Is that your substitute for an argument? Flynner will give you a job doing PR :-)

BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 2584 - 02/03/2022 18:10:05    2403534

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Replying To Seanfanbocht:  "Lot of paranoia here"
Please elaborate

BLT (Galway) - Posts: 53 - 02/03/2022 20:39:43    2403554

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Wait until the ladies footballers and camogie players put the squeeze on for similar support as men's inter county teams.

Their is a debate coming on whether teams that attract 200 over 16's to an inter county game should be getting the same treatment as those that attract 20,000.

Not to mention having to cut men's winter training sessions because the ladies need to share the pitches

tirawleybaron (Mayo) - Posts: 1134 - 05/03/2022 14:24:09    2403887

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Replying To tirawleybaron:  "Wait until the ladies footballers and camogie players put the squeeze on for similar support as men's inter county teams.

Their is a debate coming on whether teams that attract 200 over 16's to an inter county game should be getting the same treatment as those that attract 20,000.

Not to mention having to cut men's winter training sessions because the ladies need to share the pitches"
If what guys like Damien comer, Shane Walsh and Conor Meyler are saying is anything to go by they're all for having their finding cut to accommodate the ladies, the only other explanation is they haven't thought it through avd are just supporting equality here because it sounds good.

Galway9801 (Galway) - Posts: 1726 - 05/03/2022 14:32:49    2403891

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Replying To tirawleybaron:  "Wait until the ladies footballers and camogie players put the squeeze on for similar support as men's inter county teams.

Their is a debate coming on whether teams that attract 200 over 16's to an inter county game should be getting the same treatment as those that attract 20,000.

Not to mention having to cut men's winter training sessions because the ladies need to share the pitches"
They already share pitches, in many cases main pitches being split in 2 or 3 for training or some age groups training and other part of the pitch being simultaneously used for a juvenile game. Not ideal, takes a bit of planning but better that than being a club that's struggling for numbers.

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7369 - 05/03/2022 17:56:33    2403939

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Replying To tirawleybaron:  "Wait until the ladies footballers and camogie players put the squeeze on for similar support as men's inter county teams.

Their is a debate coming on whether teams that attract 200 over 16's to an inter county game should be getting the same treatment as those that attract 20,000.

Not to mention having to cut men's winter training sessions because the ladies need to share the pitches"
Imagine if it was the other and mens team wanted to share pitches etc owned by womens clubs.

oneoff (UK) - Posts: 1380 - 05/03/2022 21:58:04    2404016

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Replying To oneoff:  "Imagine if it was the other and mens team wanted to share pitches etc owned by womens clubs."
Just for the record. I'm all for equality. I have a young daughter who has to train on a borrowed pitch but has no access to dressing rooms. Forced to tog out at home and return covered in muck in my car.

In my club, the girls train with the boys up to under 7 and then get kicked out of the main ground for good.
It's completely wrong in this day and age

tirawleybaron (Mayo) - Posts: 1134 - 06/03/2022 07:11:45    2404020

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Replying To tirawleybaron:  "Just for the record. I'm all for equality. I have a young daughter who has to train on a borrowed pitch but has no access to dressing rooms. Forced to tog out at home and return covered in muck in my car.

In my club, the girls train with the boys up to under 7 and then get kicked out of the main ground for good.
It's completely wrong in this day and age"
As am I. Bur like many things there's never really "equally"

The Castleisland club in Kerry had been letting a Camogie club use there pitch etc until this year. The Camogie club went on social media with a big rant about how they were told that they weren't welcome etc when what actually happened was Castleisland just couldn't cope with all the teams using their pitch as they only have one of them to start with.

Some within Ladies football and Camogie think they've a right to use GAA grounds. Whereas if it was the other way around would they be as accommodating to boys/mens teams?

oneoff (UK) - Posts: 1380 - 06/03/2022 12:35:35    2404050

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Replying To oneoff:  "As am I. Bur like many things there's never really "equally"

The Castleisland club in Kerry had been letting a Camogie club use there pitch etc until this year. The Camogie club went on social media with a big rant about how they were told that they weren't welcome etc when what actually happened was Castleisland just couldn't cope with all the teams using their pitch as they only have one of them to start with.

Some within Ladies football and Camogie think they've a right to use GAA grounds. Whereas if it was the other way around would they be as accommodating to boys/mens teams?"
What pitches do the LGFA have? How do you know they wouldn't be as accomodating to male teams? Just like in the GAA not all LGFA members hold the same opinions as their organisation's top brass.

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7369 - 06/03/2022 13:05:35    2404052

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Replying To GreenandRed:  "What pitches do the LGFA have? How do you know they wouldn't be as accomodating to male teams? Just like in the GAA not all LGFA members hold the same opinions as their organisation's top brass."
Very few if any. But that's their own issue and they don't have a "right" to use others as much as they think they do. This isn't just the case within the GAA either.

oneoff (UK) - Posts: 1380 - 06/03/2022 14:42:26    2404060

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Replying To oneoff:  "Very few if any. But that's their own issue and they don't have a "right" to use others as much as they think they do. This isn't just the case within the GAA either."
That Castleisland thing is interesting. I'd say it's mirrored in several other places across the country. For example, my wife looks after the pitch schedule and bookings for our own grounds here in Wexford. The camogie club is accommodated in every way possible, but on the very odd occasion when there simply aren't enough pitches to go round, priority goes to the hurling or football teams that need space that night, and the camogie are asked to re-arrange for some other time.

It only happened once last year, but even still, some camogie people gave out about how we "weren't letting them use the pitch".

Integration is all well and good, but it won't magically make another pitch appear in places like Castleisland or my own club, and so the only other solution is to kick GAA teams off pitches that were put there by GAA clubs, in order to allow camogie or ladies football in there on some occasions instead.

Side note - considering all the coverage the integration motion got at the GAA Congress - was it even on the agenda for the LGFA Congress over the weekend just gone by?

Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 2254 - 07/03/2022 16:04:26    2404312

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Replying To Pikeman96:  "That Castleisland thing is interesting. I'd say it's mirrored in several other places across the country. For example, my wife looks after the pitch schedule and bookings for our own grounds here in Wexford. The camogie club is accommodated in every way possible, but on the very odd occasion when there simply aren't enough pitches to go round, priority goes to the hurling or football teams that need space that night, and the camogie are asked to re-arrange for some other time.

It only happened once last year, but even still, some camogie people gave out about how we "weren't letting them use the pitch".

Integration is all well and good, but it won't magically make another pitch appear in places like Castleisland or my own club, and so the only other solution is to kick GAA teams off pitches that were put there by GAA clubs, in order to allow camogie or ladies football in there on some occasions instead.

Side note - considering all the coverage the integration motion got at the GAA Congress - was it even on the agenda for the LGFA Congress over the weekend just gone by?"
For the record Castleisland do have a ladies team as well. The Camogie club is for the Castleisland area and were just being accompanied by them.

The line is always used that there aren't any other piches for them to use but I don't ever recall a ladies football or camogie club looking to build their own felicitys.

oneoff (UK) - Posts: 1380 - 07/03/2022 16:40:46    2404326

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Replying To Pikeman96:  "That Castleisland thing is interesting. I'd say it's mirrored in several other places across the country. For example, my wife looks after the pitch schedule and bookings for our own grounds here in Wexford. The camogie club is accommodated in every way possible, but on the very odd occasion when there simply aren't enough pitches to go round, priority goes to the hurling or football teams that need space that night, and the camogie are asked to re-arrange for some other time.

It only happened once last year, but even still, some camogie people gave out about how we "weren't letting them use the pitch".

Integration is all well and good, but it won't magically make another pitch appear in places like Castleisland or my own club, and so the only other solution is to kick GAA teams off pitches that were put there by GAA clubs, in order to allow camogie or ladies football in there on some occasions instead.

Side note - considering all the coverage the integration motion got at the GAA Congress - was it even on the agenda for the LGFA Congress over the weekend just gone by?"
They voted unanimously in favour of it. But will someone explain what that means? One arguement us that ut might reduce the cost of club memberships for some families? Like you said, there'll be the same number if pitches available. I listened to Liam O'Neill last week saying that the GAA wers always in favour if it since 2012, when hd was president. The resistance was from the LGFA. Many woman are practical enough people. You could even argue that, in many cases, they're more practical than men. If the local GAA club pitches aren't available at their usual training times they could maybe try rescheduling at a different time. Maybe 6 in the morning before going to work. Alternatively 10 o'clock at night once the menfolk have completed their training. Or they could do what Castleisland camogie club have done. Sourced training pitches from the local rugby club. Some mens GAA teams have done similar, using facilities from nearby soccer, rugby and other clubs and schools for training. We're in a recession. Makes no sense to start buying land for new pitches if there's enough facilities to go around in a locality. If there's not enough facilities let everyone tapup Jack Chambers first before dipping their hands in their pockets before going fundraising.

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7369 - 07/03/2022 17:30:13    2404341

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Replying To GreenandRed:  "They voted unanimously in favour of it. But will someone explain what that means? One arguement us that ut might reduce the cost of club memberships for some families? Like you said, there'll be the same number if pitches available. I listened to Liam O'Neill last week saying that the GAA wers always in favour if it since 2012, when hd was president. The resistance was from the LGFA. Many woman are practical enough people. You could even argue that, in many cases, they're more practical than men. If the local GAA club pitches aren't available at their usual training times they could maybe try rescheduling at a different time. Maybe 6 in the morning before going to work. Alternatively 10 o'clock at night once the menfolk have completed their training. Or they could do what Castleisland camogie club have done. Sourced training pitches from the local rugby club. Some mens GAA teams have done similar, using facilities from nearby soccer, rugby and other clubs and schools for training. We're in a recession. Makes no sense to start buying land for new pitches if there's enough facilities to go around in a locality. If there's not enough facilities let everyone tapup Jack Chambers first before dipping their hands in their pockets before going fundraising."
The men foke? You mean the members of the association who actually own the grounds?

If a Camogie club was using a Rugby clubs ground for training and they were told they couldn't use it because one of the Rugby teams needed it would you have the same issue?

The LGFA and Camogie association have been around for long enough at this point to be able to get their own grounds etc but it's just easier for them to piggy back on the GAA and then claim to be discriminated against when they don't get their way.

oneoff (UK) - Posts: 1380 - 08/03/2022 08:18:24    2404378

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Replying To oneoff:  "The men foke? You mean the members of the association who actually own the grounds?

If a Camogie club was using a Rugby clubs ground for training and they were told they couldn't use it because one of the Rugby teams needed it would you have the same issue?

The LGFA and Camogie association have been around for long enough at this point to be able to get their own grounds etc but it's just easier for them to piggy back on the GAA and then claim to be discriminated against when they don't get their way."
What issue do I have?

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7369 - 08/03/2022 09:41:20    2404386

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