After "constructive meetings" with their respective governing bodies, female inter-county players have made the decision to call off their protest.
The Gaelic Players Association (GPA) issued a statement confirming that a standard charter specifically designed for female players, which had been the focal point of the protest, will be put into effect for the 2024 season.
Over the past weeks, ladies football and camogie teams had engaged in various protest actions, including sitdown demonstrations, briefly leaving the field after the national anthem, donning t-shirts bearing the #UnitedForEquality slogan, and boycotting media events organized by the Camogie Association or Ladies Gaelic Football Association.
In a display of solidarity, the men's footballers of Kerry and Derry had also supported the cause by holding up a #UnitedForEquality banner before their All-Ireland semi-final match, emphasizing unity among players.
A statement from the GPA read: "Following constructive meetings between the Gaelic Players Association (GPA) and the Ladies Gaelic Football Association (LGFA), and separately between the GPA and the Camogie Association over the course of the last week, a framework has been agreed upon to introduce a standardized charter for female inter-county players in 2024."
Statement on behalf of female inter-county players@LadiesFootball @OfficialCamogie @officialgaa pic.twitter.com/pR5OMnW5jw
— GPA (@gaelicplayers) July 19, 2023
"Therefore, we, the players, have decided to suspend our protest actions ahead of this weekend's matches.
The statement further confirmed that commitments have been secured from the Camogie Association and LGFA to develop a player charter for 2024, with the request for funding support from the GAA to facilitate its implementation being made independently of the GPA. Any approach to the government for funding, if required, will be undertaken jointly with the GPA.
"The NGBs' commitments are as follows:
- Agreement to collaborate with the GPA on the development of a Player Charter for 2024.
- Agreement to request funding support from the GAA for the charter implementation, independent of the GPA.
- Agreement to undertake any approach to the government for funding jointly with the GPA, if necessary.
"As of immediate effect, all protest actions on match days are now suspended. Players will also resume taking part in media events organized by the Camogie Association and LGFA.
"We extend our gratitude to the Camogie Association and LGFA for their dedication to implementing a standardized player charter for 2024.
"We also express our appreciation to the GAA for their commitment to supporting this initiative.
"This marks a historic moment for our games and women's sports in Ireland."
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