GAA Board Convention: Patience and understanding required during camogie and ladies football integration process - Floyd

In his annual report to Convention which takes place next Sunday afternoon in the Dome, Semple Stadium, outgoing Secretary Tim Floyd has called for patience and understanding in the integration process of ladies football and camogie into the GAA.

In a wide-ranging report, the Newport man addresses Motion 33 from Congress 2022 which came from the G.P.A and proposed the following: “That the GAA will prioritize integration with the LGFA and Camogie Association in order to jointly ensure equal recognition, investment and opportunity for all genders to play all sports in the Gaelic Games family”.

He writes: “This carefully worded motion received overwhelming support and gave the green light to commence the process of bringing the associations together in a more practical and meaningful way. Indeed, the Uachtaráin Larry McCarthy showed that this motion was not just a token gesture by appointing former President Mary McAleese as the independent chairperson of the integration process and the first meeting was held on October 19th 2022.

“Following this meeting an official statement was released stating that the future integrated structure will be based on one association for all the Gaelic Games and built on the principle of equality. It was also agreed that a significant listening process is required to assist the development of the integrated structure and this process should be one where all voices are given an opportunity to contribute.

“Starting this Dec 2022 this Steering group in integration (S.G.I) plan to hold a series of one day forums on the “How” of integration to which representatives of clubs, one clubs, camogie, LFGA and GAA management, players, county committees, provincial councils and relevant others will be invited to take part.

“In Tipperary there’s been a very healthy relationship amongst our clubs with the sharing of local GAA facilities. Difficulties have been overcome like accommodating cross parish interests where many camogie and LFGA clubs are made up of players from different parishes.

“Women’s sport continues to take root and is growing in popularity across the country and the world. There are many challenges ahead in this integration process and all participants need to be patient and understanding of the complexities involved. Women sports know they are pushing an open door and the whole concept is based on co- operation in trying to achieve the most accommodating solutions.

“ Over the past few years Tipperary Co Board has built up good relationships with both our sister organizations especially with the sharing of our county training facility at Dr Morris Park. As part of our Sports Capital Grant application all signed license agreements giving their Inter County squads agreed training slots over the coming years. Currently this facility is also being used by MIC college (St Patricks) in Thurles for training and games by their Camogie and Ladies Football teams,” he says.

The Secretary adds that despite having three floodlight pitches plus a double-sided Astro turf hurling wall in Dr Morris Park, this is putting a big strain on the facility as there are already six inter-county hurling and football teams plus numerous Academy and Development squads using it. The greatest pressure comes during the Winter months with the limited availability of floodlit facilities and overuse during this period can cause long term damage to the surface.

“In the early 90’s Tipperary Co Board purchased the current camogie pitch at the Ragg for Tipperary Camogie Board, and this has become their home grounds as they continue to develop it to a high standard. As the integration process develops over the coming months and years, not only will the sharing of the facilities be on the agenda but also the sharing of financial resources.

"Naturally this will become a difficult issue unless the financial pot is increased accordingly and this needs to be addressed in advance. “Currently Tipperary’s returns from Gate Receipts in club and National League share out show approx. 80% from hurling and 20% football. Despite this our Inter-County hurlers and footballers are treated equally when it comes to meals, gear, expenses etc. without additional income it will be difficult to treat four groups equally as is envisaged but this is the challenge ahead.

“ It is important that everyone has a clear understanding of the issues involved before diving in without knowing what the eventual outcome will be. I look forward to sensible debate on the whole integration process over the coming weeks and months and more important a positive strong Healthy GAA organization,” he says.