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Female GAA players' charter in final stages of completion

Steering Committee chairperson Mary McAleese has been leading the integration process involving the Camogie Association, the GAA and the LGFA
Steering Committee chairperson Mary McAleese has been leading the integration process involving the Camogie Association, the GAA and the LGFA

The publication of the imminent female GAA players' charter will not take place this week but is in the final stages of completion.

It had been reported that the charter would be unveiled this week, but there are still processes around the administration of the grant which need to be signed off - with Sport Ireland playing a key role in the rollout of the charter to players when it is finally delivered.

The three national governing bodies – the GAA, the LGFA and the Camogie Association – will announce a 50 cent-per-mile travel expense rate.

There will be provision made for a weekly nutrition allowance and a number of minimum standard provisions will also be applied.

This will include the presence of a physiotherapist at games and training sessions, along with access to sports facilities and other services.

The publication of the charter will be a long-awaited landmark for female inter-county players.

Momentum to support their status and commitment has grown steadily since the Women's Gaelic Players Association was founded in 2015.

Another crucial step along the road was the provision of government grants for inter-county teams in 2016.

Meath and Waterford footballers with a sit-down protest ahead of their championship clash last year

The merger of the GPA and WGPA in 2020 brought huge clout to the efforts of equality and in 2021 Government funding was equalised, with individual female player grants introduced.

Three years ago, a GPA motion on the integration of governing bodies passed at the GAA Congress and it was also passed at the LGFA and Camogie Association congresses.

This year has seen an integration target established for 2027 and very soon the mandatory female players charter will be launched.

The charter will be funded through the two national governing bodies who have secured the support of the GAA.

All elements of the charter have been communicated to county boards. The GPA had asked that the charter be in place for the 2024 season.

Last year, they engaged forms of protest as part of their #UnitedForEquality campaign as female inter-county players continued to seek minimum standards of care.

Those protests saw players sitting on the pitch before games and returning to the dressing room pre-match with delayed throw-ins.

The players group issued its frustration over continued lack of consistency on expenses, gear, nutrition allowances and other supports.

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