I want to produce a film or a TV series on Gaelic Football for an American audience. The largest focus will be on the brand of amateurism practiced in the GAA and how it has been so successful for so long. I am also fascinated by the culture surrounding the game. For someone who has never been to Ireland the whole scene sounds like a much better version of American College Football. I would like to get a few questions answered or get the contact info of an "expert" who can answer some of the following questions:
I hear that the players at the inter-county level get paid some. How much in general? Also I hear that a player can get money from a sponsorship arrangement? Is that common, and how much can a top-level player get?
How much do the clubs help top-level players get "real jobs"? I presume that most of the players have jobs where their supervisors know they are going to miss a lot of work because of sport.
How is the corruption factor? Is there a lot of playing players "under the table"?
Do players really play for the county in-which they were born for the most part? Is there much intra-county player movement (i.e. guy wants to play for another county and said county wants him so they "set him up" with a job etc)?
How many players per year have the opportunity to go "pro" in Australia? Do many players turn down a pro opportunity? Does the AFL have an active scouting system in Ireland looking for talent?
Is the culture around Football much different than the culture around Hurling? I would think with no opportunity to go pro in Hurling there is a different kid of mind set with the players.
GAA attendance of 2 million per year in a country of 6 million is staggering to me. Do supporters generally prefer one sport or the other? Are these the kind of sports you have to see live and don't translate well to television? How are the television ratings for Football and Hurling?
Any other info that anyone would think could be beneficial to such a project would be appreciated.
I hear that the players at the inter-county level get paid some. How much in general? Also I hear that a player can get money from a sponsorship arrangement? Is that common, and how much can a top-level player get?
How much do the clubs help top-level players get "real jobs"? I presume that most of the players have jobs where their supervisors know they are going to miss a lot of work because of sport.
How is the corruption factor? Is there a lot of playing players "under the table"?
Do players really play for the county in-which they were born for the most part? Is there much intra-county player movement (i.e. guy wants to play for another county and said county wants him so they "set him up" with a job etc)?
How many players per year have the opportunity to go "pro" in Australia? Do many players turn down a pro opportunity? Does the AFL have an active scouting system in Ireland looking for talent?
Is the culture around Football much different than the culture around Hurling? I would think with no opportunity to go pro in Hurling there is a different kid of mind set with the players.
GAA attendance of 2 million per year in a country of 6 million is staggering to me. Do supporters generally prefer one sport or the other? Are these the kind of sports you have to see live and don't translate well to television? How are the television ratings for Football and Hurling?
Any other info that anyone would think could be beneficial to such a project would be appreciated.