The GAA’s Central Council today approved significant increases in benefits for inter-county players, based on the recent findings of the Amateur Status Committee. As well as increases in travel allowances, players are set to receive increases in complimentary ticket allocations and better training and playing facilities.
Meanwhile, GAA President Sean Kelly confirmed that a new committee will be established to represent players’ interests. He stated that within the next few weeks a Players’ Committee would be elected, with county players electing representatives from the respective provinces, who in turn would elect a national Players’ Committee.
New benefits for inter-county players:
The mileage rate for players will be increased from 38c to 45c from 1 June, and to 50c per mile from 1 January, 2004.
Each member of relevant senior inter-county panels will be provided with a comprehensive set of playing and leisure gear.
The four All-Ireland finalists will receive E80,000 per county (inclusive of sponsors’ allocation).
E120,000 will be set aside by the association's Ard Chomhairle for participants in the proposed Plate Competition for weaker counties.
Any senior inter-county player from Ireland required to travel abroad for an inter-county Championship game will receive a minimum daily allowance of E50.
For Championship games, other than All-Ireland Finals (12 tickets per panel member), players will receive four complimentary stand tickets for games that they are participating in. For National League games, each player will receive two annual permanent passes and four complimentary stand tickets for each game they are participating in.
Payment of acceptable vouched ‘out-of-pocket’ expenses, such as taxis, meals and public transport, will be formalised and procedures will be put in place immediately in counties where no procedures currently exist.
Qualified paramedics must be in attendance at all inter-county games, while a doctor must accompany teams travelling to away fixtures.
The highest standards of facilities will be required to be provided. These will include training facilities, winter and summer, gymnasium and other reasonable facilities required. Proper meals, drinks and dietary provisions must be provided as required, including after training during winter months and away fixtures. Where private gym sessions are part of a team’s training programme, every effort must be made that players are given access to gym facilities of reasonable proximity to their homes, with the co-ordination of the team manager.
Filed by James Boylan
