Gaelic Players Association Annual Report 2017 Contents Chairman’s Introduction page 5 Player Development Programme page 6 Player Welfare & Representation page 14 Players Contributing to Society page 18 Leadership Development page 20 Our work in the USA page 24 Our Work with other Athlete Bodies page 26 Financial Highlights & Governance page 28 Directors’ Report & Financial Statements page 33 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 juniorcreative.ie Page 2 Gaelic Players Association Annual Report 2017 Page 3 Gaelic Players Chairman’s Introducing Association Introduction our new CEO Séamus Hickey David Collins I’m happy to say that 2017 was a year 2017 also saw the great success of local communities in supporting charities, I’m delighted on behalf of myself, National Executive Committee Chairman President of significant progress for the GPA. The several events hosted by the GPA. The volunteer work and engaging with local the Board and the National Executive association continues to grow and serve Fifth Annual Former Players Lunch sports partnerships. Much of this work Committee to welcome Paul Flynn its players. Our members routinely give was held in Croke Park in September is low key but nonetheless impactful and as our new CEO. Paul will take up everything to our national games and with Eddie Kehir (Kilkenny Hurling) and important so I want to recognise and the role in September 2018. they deserve to be fully supported in Brian McEniff (Donegal Football) as the express my admiration and gratitude their efforts in their playing careers and honourees for their outstanding career on behalf of the GPA for all players who Paul, a five time All Ireland winner beyond. To that end we built on previous achievements. Our annual New York Gala give their time in this way. I also want to with the Dublin Football team, achievements, embarked on some new Dinner was held in October and a new thank all the GPA staff and volunteers has been a member of the GPA’s initiatives and developed a strategic plan event The Boston Gala Dinner took place whose commitment to the work of the National Executive Committee since for 2017 – 2019 designed to ensure in April. Organised with the support of the Association have made the successes 2012. the Association is well prepared to grow, Boston Friends of the GPA and held in the and progress achieved in 2017 possible. develop and anticipate future issues and iconic State Street Building. Both dinners His business experience, along with Paul Flynn Ronan Sheehan Philip Greene Stephen McDonnell Collie Moran Brendan Maher Tom Parsons demands in delivering the best possible proved to be not only thoroughly enjoyable Finally I would like to acknowledge the outstanding sporting achievements Secretary service to our members. evenings but also raised crucial funding contributions of three senior colleagues and proven leadership skills are the for our Player Development Programmes. who left us in 2017 either through exact blend of qualities required to Following on from last year’s milestone retirement or to move on to new roles. steer the GPA to future success in agreement with the GAA on player welfare November 17th saw the Super 11’s COO Aidan Gordon retired and Head developing our Organisation to serve we have made further improvements Hurling games held at Boston’s Fenway of Player Development Siobhan the needs of our members now and throughout 2017. These include the Park Baseball Stadium. This modified Earley moved on to a new role as into the future. introduction of a past player medical version of hurling, with just 11 players CEO of “Compete with Passion”. and surgical intervention fund, achieving on each side, is the brainchild of the Finally I want to thank our CEO We are all looking forward to an increase in numbers engaging with GPA and designed to enable the game Dermot Earley for his unstinting working with him. welfare and development programmes to expand to new areas with smaller commitment to the GPA and to and the appointment of more player pitches. A crowd of 29,467 attended to our members during his time engagement officers meeting directly with watch Galway, Dublin, Clare and Tipperary as our President and as our Alan Kerins Eoin Price Donal Óg Cusack Brian Mulvihill Neil McManus Keith Rossiter Ronan Sweeney squads. compete. Clare were the winners in a final CEO. Dermot has left the against Galway which provided great GPA to return to the Defence All of these services and initiatives help entertainment as well as showcasing the Forces. On behalf of players past, present and future thrive on very best in hurling skills. everyone in the GPA, I want and off the field by helping unlock their to wish him every success full potential and build a solid foundation The Super 11’s games were project for the future and we look for personal and professional growth. managed by Stephen McDonnell and forward to his continued Tom Barry. It was a huge task in both support. Of course none of this would be possible organisation and co-ordination and I want without the tireless dedication of those to thank them both for delivering such a who design and deliver these programmes hugely successful and enjoyable event. so I want to extend my thanks and appreciation to them on behalf of all who Outside of these high profile formal events Noel Connors Aidan Forker Cathal Cregg Colm Begley Seán Murphy Fergus Clancy John Glennon benefit from their work. our players continue to engage with their Page 4 Gaelic Players Association Annual Report 2017 Page 5 The GPA’s Player Development Programmes can assist our members to maximise their potential and opportunities off the field. Players benefit from utilising the many programmes which are available to them, throughout GPA Player and after their playing careers. We provide professional development to inter- county players in their careers, education and lifestyles and assist elite athletes in coping with the transition out of active Development sporting competition. Personal Development Coaching The GPA Personal Development Coaching Programme Programme builds the foundations for personal and professional growth, through developing the individual’s emotional intelligence. Players are allocated a personal development coach, 1470 programmes delivered with whom they work on a one to one basis. Personal strengths are explored and discussed, while developing a plan for 931 players in 2O17 to manage the demands of a dual-career. Players become motivated, empowered and equipped to become their personal In 2010, the GPA introduced the Player best. Development Programmes (PDP) to help CAREER EDUCATION support players in every aspect of their lives on and off the pitch. Gaelic Games are an amateur sport, therefore it is Career Development GPA 3rd Level Scholarship Career Development critical that players have the necessary Programme supports in place to ensure they can The objective of the Career Development Business Start Up & Programme is to place our members in manage the demands of both their work Development Enhanced Scholarships and sporting careers. the strongest possible position, to achieve Education & Training Fund a role in a sector of their choice. Inter- Sometimes, in pursuit of success on the Presentation & Public county players are extremely talented field, players may neglect other important Speaking Education Advice individuals, who possess numerous high- aspects of their lives. This can impact on valued and transferrable skills. their relationships, health and education and off the field careers. This service increases a candidate’s LIFE FOCUS HEALTH & confidence and capabilities of securing The PDP is in place to help ensure employment. Practical applications this does not happen by providing a Personal Development WELLBEING include developing and tailoring the CV, range of bespoke programmes and helping to highlight a player’s strengths services tailored towards helping players Coaching Programme and competencies. Interview skills can successfully manage the many different 24/7/365 Counselling also be prepared, practiced and mastered challenges they will encounter during and Jim Madden GPA Leadership Programme to illustrate the ability, experience and after their playing career. Programme skillsets of our members. Residential Treatment The PDP focusses on four key areas of importance. Financial Advice Programme Page 6 Gaelic Players Association Annual Report 2017 Page 7 Player Testimonials Programme & Player Engagement Coming to the end of my international business studies After working as an electrician post school and I am currently a PE teacher and love my job very much but I have also “degree, I was unsure as to what direction I wanted to go “never being anyway happy or settled in my job, I had an ambition to work with people on a one to one basis and help Business Start Up & Development in with my career. Getting in touch with the GPA was the reached out to contact the GPA for advice to help them overcome any challenges they are going through. Counselling and best decision that I made, to be able to talk to highly skilled me figure out where I wanted my career to go and Psychotherapy was always a field that interested me even before the 12 Programmes 11 Players professionals who understood the commitments of being an have a successful future, and more importantly be coverage that mental health is currently now receiving. I had received intercounty footballer was of huge help to me. The personal happy going to work every day and excelling in a counselling in the past and found it a very empowering process which really Career Development development coach that I met with was immensely chosen profession.