Hoganstand.com - GAA Football & Hurling

Formal recognition for GPA

21 November 2009

After a decade-long campaign, the Gaelic Players' Association was today finally granted official status by the GAA.

The historic announcement, which follows a series of discussions between the two bodies over the last two months, was made at the GAA's Games Development Conference in Croke Park.

In a statement, the GAA said at they are "pleased to announce that common ground has been found which safeguards and enshrines the GAA's amateur status while at the same time affording the GPA official status and recognition as the Association's player representative body."

Leading county board officers were briefed on the contents of the document this morning and the approval of the GAA's Central Council will be sought at its next meeting, which takes place on December 5.

Welcoming the groundbreaking development, GAA president Christy Cooney said: "This is an important day for the Association and one that I believe will lead to a brand new working relationship with the GPA, a body that has been in existence for the past 10 years.

"We are confident that we can forge a relationship with our inter-county players that will be for the betterment of the GAA as a whole.

"We have always been committed to our amateur and voluntary ethos and the belief structure that has underpinned the values at the heart of our Association.

"With these proposals we have stayed true to these ideals, while at the same time coming to a position that recognises the important role that our inter-county players play in the promotion and commercial well being of the Association.

"Our exchanges with the GPA have been frank and cordial and I think the progress that has been made is reflected in the agreement that we have reached.

"I acknowledge the role of everyone involved, but especially Turlough O'Donnell.

"This is the beginning of formalising the relationship between the two bodies and we look forward to building on this very important first step."

Gaelic Players' Association Chief Executive Dessie Farrell said: "Official recognition for the players' association will provide a platform on which the GAA and the GPA can work together to secure a better future for our games and our players.

"This interim arrangement is the culmination of years of hard work on both sides to establish trust and understanding.

"I would like to thank the many people within the GAA and GPA who contributed to that process to date and the players who strived to have their distinctive voice heard within the GAA."