PARITY OF state funding between male and female GAA players has been a long time coming for many female sports players in Ireland. It started in the last decade and finally got rolling in 2015.
€3.7m funded by the Government was used to support Gaelic games players last year. The problem was not with the figure, but how it was invested into both gender groups. The €3m being made available for male players and teams compared to €700,000 for female counterparts.
Jack Chambers, the Minister of State for Sport Jack Chambers said the model, which saw the males receive €1,200 from the state compared to just €400 for female players, had to change as he couldn't "stand over or defend that inequality".
Sport Ireland are set to gain a €4.3m increase to €96.2m in funding, this was confirmed in a Government briefing yesterday.
The long awaited, introduction of parity of funding between male and female inter-county GAA players from next season is also included.
Cork , Ireland - 29 August 2021; Niamh Kilkenny of Galway (Photo By Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile via Getty Images)Gemma Begley, the former Tyrone footballer, and the Player Representation & Engagement Manager with the GPA, welcomed the movement government and Sport Ireland.
"There has always been a recognition that alongside team costs, that the players were out of pocket themselves," she told RTÉ Sport.
"That’s where the evolution of the female grants have come from. Previously it was just team funding, but now we are able to help players as well.
"It was perfect timing in a way with the amalgamation of the GPA and the WPGA. It’s written into the new association that one of the key pillars is to deliver equality, recognition of investment, so it’s something we are very passionate about.
"We’re delighted to see that recognised by the State and Sport Ireland."
The Ladies Gaelic Football Association and Camogie Association are separate entities to the GAA and have struggled to match the men's body's expenses.
GAA inter-county players receive 50 cent per mile for travel - down from 65c per mile before the pandemic. The LGFA and Camogie Association did not pay travel expenses before the Covid-19 outbreak but this year both provided 30c per mile for matchday travel.
