Explainer: GAA's proposed new model for distribution of development funding

The GAA is looking at a new model for how money is distributed to counties for coaching and games development.

It will attempt to create more balance in the money being shared, with a proposal set to go before Saturday's pre-Congress Central Council meeting.

Former Westmeath footballer John Connellan has fronted a lobby group to seek a more even distribution of funds based on the number of players registered.

However a sub-committee in Croke Park - headed by the GAA's director of coaching and games development Shane Flanagan - has been working on a new mathematical model.

It has player registration numbers at its core, but it has added more strands to its calculations, with the number of clubs, a percentage of a county's population aged between four and 37 years old, and the number of teams to reflect dual players.

The new model will be based on a direct investment of €12m, which is up from around €8m that was previously distributed to clubs in 2019.

From the €12m, €9m will be distributed using four metrics: the number of registered players; club numbers within a county; team numbers; and the percentage of the participating population in that four to 37 age bracket.

Once the allocation of the €9m is established, another four bands will be established to distribute the remaining €3m.

This is designed to bring balance and equity to the funding model - eg if a county is at the lower end of the scale in terms of funds received after the first installment, it can be addressed so that the county emerges with a more equitable amount.

If Central Council approves the proposal on Saturday, it would start in October and be implemented for the next four years.