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You get money to play a sport and the amount is contingent on how far you go in said tournament, you are a professional. The semi / full time pro argument is incidental.

so it is your belief that because the players are receiving these grants they constitute to professional athletes?

This being a very interesting point, but if one were to argue that players are receiving remuneration so that they are not 'out of pocket' and the money they receive through grants is to cover their expenses, eg mileage? 

Nonetheless, if they receive money, they are professionals......

After following your threads and further research it is evident that there are grants being allocated to inter county players, as well as student scolorships. 

With these payments to players, does it mean that the amateur stauts of the game is now gone and the players are becoming professional atheltes???

Hello all,

I have now reached the end of my questions for my research surrounding the issue of professional and amateur status within the GAA.  I would like to thank everyone who has contributed in my questions to date and would appreciate any further views and opinions with my last entry.  This one being the key question and something that may raise a few interesting points.  Thank you all for your help.

-   Do GAA players receive any financial assistance or compensation for taking part in the sport?  And if so, do they still retain their amateur status or have they now moved on to become professional athletes?

Are you starting of the opinion that the GAA would succeed as a professional sport? The GAA as an organisation is one of the greatest success stories I know of. Are you comparing the professional sports person with the armature sports person or a successful armature sports organisation with successful and failed professional sports organisations?

The isssue is surrounding the 'what if' factor and 'what if' the GAA went professional...would this prevent people from moving away from the GAA to play soccer, rugby and Aussie rules professionally...would players who had to give up the GAA because work and family commitments did allow them, now have the opportunity to play as they will be receiving some form of income through the sport?

But i very much like your comparison in your question whereby you compare successful amateur sports with successful and then failed pro sports!

Hello all,

For those who are not aware of my other topics, I am a student carrying out some research on the GAA for my final year project at university.  My project is surrounding the issue of professional and amateur status within the GAA.  I have posted two questions up on the message board and I thank all who contributed, but would would like to put my next question forward.  It would be of great help if you could comment on my questions as it will give opinions and views from a grassroot level, Thanks:

- It has been the case in the past that top GAA players have been head hunted or decided upon a career change whereby they have left the GAA to play professionally in soccer, rugby and Aussie Rules.  As well as this, family and work committments can often prevent some people from taking part.  If the GAA turned professional, would they be able to prevent these situations from happening?

Hello all,

For those who are not aware of my first topic, I am a student carrying out some research on the GAA for my final year project at university.  My project is surrounding the issue of professional and amateur status within the GAA.  I have placed one question up on the message board and I thank all who contributed, but would would like to put my next question forward.  It would be of great help if you could comment on my questions as it will give opinions and views from a grassroot level, Thanks:

-    In professional sports, and amateur sports such as the Olympics, athletes have the opportunity to represent their country.  For the GAA, top players can take part in the International Rules Series against professional sportsmen in Australia.  Does this benefit the GAA as amateur athletes get the opportunity to represent their country?

Hello all,

I am a student carrying out some research on the GAA for my final year project at university.  My project is surrounding the issue of professional and amateur status within the GAA.  It would be of great help if you could comment on my questions as it will give opinions and views from a grassroot level, Thanks:

1.  Would the GAA and players not be tempted to turn professional with the possibility of receiving large amounts of money (pay-for-play) or is it in the GAA's culture for members to volunteer their time and expertise?