GPA Annual Report 2019

I am delighted to inform you that in 2019 we reached more players than ever before with 1448 engaging with our programmes, a growth of 31% versus 2018. To break these player engagements down more specifically; on average 121 players were supported per month or six every day of the week.

These programmes are highly impactful and tailored to the specific needs of players.  Impressively, we were able to do this through careful management of our resources and the tireless work of our team in the GPA office and on the road. Our aim is to continue this growth in player engagements ensuring players strike that balance between life on and off the pitch.

In 2019 we enhanced two new programmes, firstly the Rookie Camp for players as they enter the inter-county game; and the Transition Camp for players as they exit. These are two of my personal favourite programmes and we are looking forward to building on both of these in 2020.

Our player welfare programmes and policies are based on research, best practice and consultation with our advisors on the Player Safety and Welfare committee.

The ESRI Report, GPA Student Report and insights from International Best Practice provide us with rich and valuable data that informs our policies and actions as an association. The two reports have led to detailed action plans which brought a range of developments. One we are very proud of, and which we will build on was the inaugural Balance 2020 Player Welfare conference. This was a conference held for all inter county backroom teams to further enhance their knowledge on player welfare best practices in world sport. There are many other actions from these reports that we will be continuing to action over the course of 2020.

Ensuring that the players’ voice is heard and their views are being considered is a key part of the GPA. For example, it was clear that our football members were against the rule change restricting 3+ handpasses in a row. Their voice proved critical in preventing this change from being implemented. As an association, we need to encourage players to be open to continue to stand up for their beliefs and this was an excellent example.

The views of the players have also been central to how we have engaged with the Fixtures Review Taskforce through our representative Ronán Sheehan.  There are three options on the table now and in 2020 we will engage with you in a process led by Colm Begley to feedback on each option and suggest positive changes where appropriate.

In 2019 we added a second Legends Lunch to the events schedule, due to popular demand and to cater for more past players and legends of the game. It is fantastic to have so many legends of our game coming together and in 2019 we had over 950 attendance over the two events. It was great to be able to honour two true legends of our games at these events – John O’Keeffe and Tony Wall.

Alongside this we had two excellent events in the US in 2019.  We have phenomenal and loyal supporters in the US and we are grateful for their ongoing support. Their generosity allows us to do more for players across our player development programmes and in particular with our emotional wellbeing interventions. Their support allows us to extend our support to the WGPA members.

I would like to thank Maria Kinsella and Gemma Begley from the WGPA for their work in 2019.  We are now more closely aligned with the WGPA than we have ever been, and in a year that was so significant for female sport that is only right and proper.  Negotiations have also been ongoing around developing a more formal partnership between GPA and WGPA which is something you will hear more about in 2020.

Negotiations with the GAA around a new Formal Recognition Protocol deal are ongoing.  We would have hoped to have a deal complete by the end of 2019 but, progress is being made and I would like to thank our negotiating team for the constructive approach adopted.  We will continue to work on your behalf to agree a deal that values your efforts, and recognises the values of the GAA.  I would also like to thank the GAA for their ongoing work in this regard and particularly Director General Tom Ryan.

In 2019, we successfully agreed with Sport Ireland and the Government to a €3 million deal to recognise the players’ and the games’ impact on the economy and also your impact on the cultural fabric of Irish society. I am acutely aware of the importance of this grant for every player. I must also stress that each year this grant is reviewed and the country’s economic stability impacts it. We will continue to work with government officials and Sport Ireland to ensure its longevity.

Our new Strategic Plan is being finalized and will be launched in the first part of 2020.  It will be player-centric and have a laser sharp focus on our pillars of Representation, Development and Welfare.  It will be a framework to help you achieve balance between your playing, personal and professional lives.  That balance will put you on the best footing for success on the field and off.