GPA chief Tom Parsons: Female players still awaiting 'minimum standards' and player charters

Gaelic Players Association CEO Tom Parsons says that, despite some positive changes towards integration of the Gaelic games family, the lack of minimum standards for female players remains unacceptable.

Last April, a GPA survey found less than 10% of over 1,500 female inter-county players were receiving travel expenses. In July, the Ladies Gaelic Football Association said that 42% of its county boards were paying expenses.

Ladies football and camogie players staged protests during this year's inter-county season, which were suspended when the GAA agreed to help fund a 2024 players charter for the two associations. All three associations are currently in merger talks.

Parsons, speaking ahead of this weekend's GPA AGM, said efforts must continue to improve player support.

"In 2022, 102 female players sought assistance from the GPA hardship fund due to the lack of essential support, including travel expenses and access to various medical supports," he said.

"It's crucial for our national governing bodies, including the GAA and the government, to take action to address this issue now, alongside integration efforts. Addressing this remains a key priority for the GPA.

"The charter will be pivotal to implementing positive changes for players. Already players took a stand in 2023 and, despite a formal commitment that helped pause the protest action, we still await the investment from the National Governing Bodies to deliver a player charter and minimum standards in 2024."

Parsons also highlighted the area of "load management" as a priority for his organisation. He cited data from 2022 showing that just 8% of male players felt that the split season improved load management and offered an improved pre-defined off-season.

"It’s important