Gaelic Players Association Annual Report 2018 PLAYER REPRESENTATION PLAYER PLAYER WELFARE DEVELOPMENT Page 2 Gaelic Players Association Contents Chairman’s Introduction page 5 Note from the CEO page 7 Player Development Programme page 8 Leadership Development page 18 Player Welfare page 22 Player Representation page 25 Players Contributing to Society page 30 Our work in the USA page 32 Financial Highlights & Governance page 34 Directors’ Report & Financial Statements page 39 GAELIC PLAYERS ASSOCIATION Gaelic Players Association Tel: +353 1 857 5686 Unit 27 Northwood House www.gaelicplayers.com Northwood Business Campus Santry, Dublin 9, Ireland Design by John Regan at Junior Creative Solutions Page 3 Gaelic Séamus Hickey Dónal Óg Cusack Tom Parsons Players Chairman President Secretary Association National Aidan Forker Alan Kerins Brendan Maher Executive Committee Brian Mulvihill Cathal Cregg Ciaran Kilkenny Eoin Price Collie Moran David Collins Keith Rossiter Matthew O’Hanlon Neil McManus Noel Connors Philip Greene Stephen McDonnell Ronan Sheehan Seán Murphy Fergus Clancy John Glennon Page 4 Independent Independent Independent Chairman’s Introduction Dear Member, proactive programmes for all members, together a group of young upcoming supporting charities, volunteer work and the GPA continue to represent and players from across the country, in both engaging with local sports partnerships. It is my pleasure to report that 2018 respond to player issues on both a hurling and football. The Sixth Former Much of this work is low key but was a year of continued progress collective and individual basis. Players Annual Networking Dinner, an nonetheless impactful and important and positive change for the GPA. The exceptional annual celebration of past so I want to recognise and express my association has grown considerably both In accordance with our culture and values players, was held in September with admiration and gratitude on behalf of in the provision of life enabling services as your players association, our people John Connolly (Galway Hurling) and the GPA for all players who give their to members and influence in recent continue to show exceptional talent, Paddy Doherty (Down Football) as the time in this way. times. To that end we built on previous commitment and dedication without honourees for their outstanding career achievements, embarked on some new which we would be unable to deliver achievements. Finally, I would like to acknowledge initiatives helping players past, present the levels of programme engagement the contributions of our former CEO and future succeed on and off the field we saw in 2018. I experienced this November saw the Super 11 Hurling Dermot Earley for his inspiring example by helping unlock their full potential and first hand taking up the role as interim games held at Boston’s Fenway Park and unstinting commitment to the GPA building solid foundations for personal CEO in 2018 on a short term basis. We Baseball Stadium with Limerick, and to our members during his time as and professional growth. have staff who are working closely with Wexford, Cork and Clare competing. our President and as our CEO. We are players on their lives outside of gaelic Limerick capped off a truly special year fortunate to have found Paul Flynn as There has been some media coverage games, providing them with educational by winning the final against Cork. It Dermot’s successor in September 2018 lately about the very real challenges that opportunities, life coaching and financial provided great entertainment as well and I look forward to working with face inter-county players off the pitch guidance to name but a few. I am truly as showcasing the very best in hurling Paul as he carries the mantle of and in their experience transitioning grateful for their work every day on your skills. The Super 11s games were CEO and ensures the continued after their inter-county playing careers behalf. project managed by Conor Ryan. It was progress of our organisation. have finished through the publication of a huge task and it is important to state Paul is well respected by his the ESRI study. However, we should also We also remain firmly committed to the exceptional job Conor did on what peers, which was evidenced in recognise the diverse range of initiatives maintaining a high standard in relation was a terrific competition. Following an the entire National Executive the GPA are delivering to meet these to our Governance. We seek to comply incredible year for Limerick and myself and Board of Directors challenges through our exceptional and with all requirements of the Governance on the playing front it was an honour to unanimously voting him into dedicated staff. As well as delivering Code for Community, Voluntary and bow out from the inter-county game in the position. Charitable Organisations Boston. in Ireland. Details of It has been an honour our approach are set Our annual New York Gala Dinner was to serve the players to out in the separate held in October and the Boston Gala date and to represent Governance review in Dinner took place in April. Organised with you and the tremendous this annual report. the support of the New York & Boston commitment you give to friends of the GPA, both events proved our games. 2018 also saw the to be not only thoroughly enjoyable great success of evenings but raised crucial funding for Beannacht Dé libh, several events. A new our Player Development programmes. and exciting event – the inaugural Rookie Outside of these high profile formal camp took place in events our players continue to engage December bringing with their local communities in Page 5 Annual Report 2018 Representation Welfare • GPA’s first motion put forward to the • ESRI report completed and published GAA’s Annual Congress was passed examining the realities of being a senior 2018 IN REVIEW with 62% support. This motion sought inter-county player. to have semi-final games in the Christy Ring, Nicky Rackard and Lory Meagher games played in • The ongoing work of the GPA Player neutral venues. Safety and Welfare Committee continues to underpin the overall objective of • Continued to lobby for an improved master fixture calendar for both football and hurling raising the standard of medical and competitions welfare provisions for our members. Development • GPA Workshop delivered to GAA congress delegates and presentations to county boards • Early 2018 saw the publication of the • 1,553 Programmes Delivered in 2018 – 6% Increase. completed in 2018 GAA’s new Concussion Management Guidelines following the • 1,107 Individual Players engaged in programmes in • Image rights complaint upheld by Advertising Standards Authority of Ireland (ASAI) recommendations from the 5th 2018 - 17% Increase. International Concussion Consensus • 487 Scholarships, 12 Enhanced Scholarships and 139 • Continued to work closely with a number of other athlete bodies Conference held in Berlin, in 2016 players availed of Education & Training supports. Through our representation on the GAA’s • GPA Jim Madden Leadership Programme completed • GPA representative Chris Kerr spoke at the EU parliament in Brussels on athletes experiences Medical Scientific and Welfare by 24 Players. with Mental Health Committee, the GPA were invited to make contributions to the policy. • 13 players completed the Maynooth University • Continued Player advocacy with EU Athletes (attended General Assembly in Lisbon) and the • Administration of Government funding to (Level 9 NFQ) Leadership accreditations module World Players Association (7 male, 6 female) in 2018. over 2,100 current members. • First Rookie Camp was held with 73 in attendance, • Representation on GAA Playing Rules committee – canvassed all squads on new rules • Cardiac Screening and Mouthguard targeting all new inter-county squad members. proposals. scheme available to all players. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive and this will • 7 Players availed of GAA GPA Past Player be an annual event going forward. Medical & Surgical Intervention Fund. • Programme Delivery, Review and Evaluation • GPA Benevolent Fund supported 8 completed and new programmes initiated for 2019. players in 2018. Communications: Financial Info: Future plans: • Joint Launch with GAA in Croke Park for Joe McDonagh, Christy Ring, Nicky Rackard • Our key financial objective was to ensure at least 75% of all • Driving uptake of programmes - strong financial & Lory Meagher competitions. net revenues are allocated towards player welfare and management will remain a priority in order for us to • Launch of Ulster University, AIT, WIT and DCU enhanced GPA Scholarship Programmes. development revenues was achieved and exceeded at 76%. be able to distribute as much as possible towards • Revenue increased 5%. players and their development, representation and • Extended longstanding partnerships with many other colleges and universities. welfare. • Association remains free of long-term debt. • Continued to champion players voice across national media through their • Work ongoing on developing a more formal community activism. • 10% reduction in operating costs. partnership with the WGPA. • Two year extension to GPA Jim Madden Leadership Programme for GPA and • 11% staffing cost decrease is related to vacant roles for part • Continue to champion the Players Voice. WGPA members confirmed. of 2018. • Introduce new programmes and welfare supports for • GPA welcomed the publication of National Sports Policy 2018-2027. • Net assets increased as result of operating surplus of