The GAA and Gaelic Players Association have announced details of a new deal worth €6.2m per year that includes a number of significant increases in benefits for inter-county players.

Following discussions in recent months, a framework agreement has been reached covering relations between the two bodies for the period 2017-2019.

The agreement will build on the principles enshrined in the GAA/GPA Recognition Protocol of 2011. 

That Protocol recognised the contribution inter-county players make to the commercial success of the GAA and acknowledged the huge commitment given by and expected of them.

It also acknowledged the GPA as the representative body of senior inter-county players.

Crucially, the Protocol acknowledged that both the GAA and GPA were committed to maintaining and protecting the amateur status of the GAA. 

The agreement contains a number of elements which will provide greater practical support to county players and also ensures that they can have a more direct input into important issues pertaining to their playing careers. 

The framework will include: 

(1) Mechanisms to improve input from county players into matters of GAA policy that are important to them; 
(2) Establishment of a working party to explore and address the demands placed on county players; 
(3) Increased level of reimbursement of expenses incurred by inter-county players; 
(4) Increase in funding available to support Player Development Programmes via the GPA.

Speaking about the new agreement, GAA President Aogán Ó Fearghail said: "Our inter-county players make a special contribution to the Association in so many ways.

"The increased commitment involved in playing our games at inter-county level has been commonly acknowledged for some time.

"We are serious about the welfare of our players and will continue to work with the GPA to safeguard that welfare."

GAA Director General Páraic Duffy added: "We are pleased that our negotiations with the GPA have delivered an extension to our formal working relationship.

"I would like to thank our representatives in the process for their time and dedication and I also acknowledge the input of the GPA in a process that required middle ground between our two organisations."

GPA President Dermot Earley commented: "By pledging to support the needs of county players and recognising the increasingly challenging environment in which they operate, the GAA has taken a very important step in securing their future wellbeing.

"Another significant development within this framework, which will be welcomed widely by county players, is the establishment of two formal structures which will facilitate increased contribution from players into policy decisions of the GAA.

"I want to thank the GAA team and executive for their commitment to this lengthy negotiation process. I would also like to extend my sincere gratitude to the players, officers and executives involved on the GPA side for their contribution to the process which has culminated in such a positive outcome for all parties."

GPA Chief Executive Dessie Farrell added: "Today's announcement is another historic milestone for players, the GPA and the GAA.

"This agreement, emphasises the crucial role played by county players in our games and indeed acknowledges their dedication and commitment in performing at the highest level. It ensures the financial impact on players is reduced while placing the support structures within the GPA for players on a very firm footing.

"This three-year agreement now establishes a long-term commitment to link player welfare and development with the GAA's commercial success which is highly significant."

The GAA's negotiating team consisted of Fergal McCormack, John Horan, Liam Keane and Feargal McGill while the GPA were represented by Dermot Earley, Séamus Hickey, Richie Hogan, Paul Flynn, Aidan Gordon and Aaron Shearer.

Summary of Framework for Agreement - 4 areas
 

1. Enhanced input into policy decisions
- GPA to have additional delegate to Congress along with Ard Chomhairle Rep.
- GPA to have right to submit one motion to Congress annually in line with other units.
- Creation of a Policy Forum to discuss issues of concern and relevance to the GPA. 

2. Demands on senior inter-county players
- New working group of players and administrators established to examine demands on players.
- Proposals formulated and presented to Central Council by June 2017.
- Aim of this new group will be to ensure that amateur players can maintain a balance between their personal and professional lives and their club and county careers.

3. Player Expenses and Reimbursement
- Review of current document on expenses/gear for approval by Central Council this November. 
- Mileage Rate: increase for inter-county players to between 62.5c and 65c per mile (to a maximum total cost of €1.5m).  
- Nutrition Expense: new refundable & vouched nutrition expense (to the amount of €1.2 million per year) to be introduced.    
- €200,000 to be set aside each year  to deal specifically with surgical interventions for former inter county players.
- Cost of increases to mainly come from central GAA funding - Central Council to ring-fence funding to counties to assist with these additional costs. 

4. Core Funding of the GPA - Provision of Welfare/Development Services
+ GAA to provide €2.5 million or 15% of net central Commercial Revenue  (whichever is higher) in each of the three years of the agreement.
- Commercial Revenue i.e. Media Coverage, Sponsorship, Franchising, Licensing.
- In 2015 agreement this figure was €2.0 million.
- GPA to present outline budget to Central Council annually and provide annual end-of-year report to Central Council outlining how funding was disbursed.
- The GAA will nominate a member to the GPA's Finance Committee and vice versa.
+ Commercial Partnership (Le Chéile) to be revamped
- New Board to be established including two external non-executive members.
- GAA to guarantee additional €800,000 p/a from it to GPA for Player Services.
- All GPA commercial activities will be undertaken through this body only; 
- All other GPA fundraising limited to dinners etc. in Ireland and overseas. 

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