Messages

I don't know Mark Conway, but i know of him... i have heard nothing but great things about him, this man set up Club Tyrone to finance the county and look after county players when there was no GPA, he is a true GAA man who was involved in every level of the Assoication, National, Provincial, County and Club, Mark Conway has stood on principle and by stepping down from all his GAA duties he is a massive loss to the assoication, I hope Nickey and his band of merry men are happy pandering to men like Dessie Farrell against men like Mark Conway.

The GAA is split right down the middle and its all down to the GPA!

Someone is Shouting "Stop!"


Over 400 Ulster gaels met in The Elk near Toome on Wednesday 5 December.

The meeting was called to see what the views of grass-roots GAA people were following the announcement days earlier of an inter-County GAA pay-per-play package agreed by some people in the GAA; the GPA; the Irish Sports Council; and the Irish Government.

Prior to the meeting email and telephone support had been received from concerned gaels in 28 different Counties across Ireland. Almost thirty different people, GAA men and women from across Ulster spoke from the floor on the night. The consistent threads across the contributions were:

•   The GAA is being presented with pay-for-play, however it's being dressed up

•   The Association's amateur status is sacrosanct

•   Planned decisions on the proposals at this weekend's meeting of Central Council should be deferred

•   A full consultation on the proposals across all levels and units of the GAA needs to be facilitated.

It was also made clear that GAA players are respected for the honourable place and role they have in the Association. Similar respect was voiced for the GAA as an organisation; for its structures and systems; and for its President.

At the end of the meeting there was unanimous support for the following resolutions:

1.   There must be no change (other than properly mandated via Congress) to the GAA's amateur status as presented in its Rule 11: the current proposals fly in the face of that amateur status and Rule 11

2.   The discussion of the current proposals planned for the forthcoming Management and Central Council meetings should be deferred

3.   A full and proper discussion of these issues should take place across the GAA

4.   Those present would proceed to use their own Club and County channels to voice their opposition to the current proposals.

Finally, the clear consensus was that should the current proposals be approved before a proper consultation with the membership is carried out, then a further meeting would be called to again gauge opinion.

Lads,
Thanks for pointing this out, the GVA logo was tongue in cheek..... This is not a GAA "breakaway" or even a lobby group. We believe totally in working through the GAA's structures: that's what they're there for. We want to protect those structures. Breakaways and elite groups are dangerous. "Of One Belief" is a sounding board and no more, for those who share a belief about the GAA.

[It is indeed likely that the GPA may have been under a false illusion that Central Council had previously endorsed the concept of Government Grants for Players. The records show that this never happened. Perhaps the GPA was under the impression that this was a simple issue for Central Council to rubber stamp? The reality is that this issue requires the collective decision of the Association through Central Council following consideration and debate, particularly at county level.]

NIOCLÁS Ó BRAONÁIN, UACHTARÁN C.L.G. – Sat Apr 22, 2006

------------------------------------------------------
Player Welfare / GPA
Much has been written and articulated about the issue of player welfare in recent weeks and there have been considerable efforts to portray me as some kind of unaware, uncaring and maybe even incapable individual. I stated last year when I was elected Uachtarán-Tofa that I would not make statements or get involved in the core issues of the Association until I took over from Sean Ó Ceallaigh at today's Congress. I did this in the tradition of the Association and in accordance with the protocol, practise, responsibility and behaviour expected of a President-Elect. I now wish to set the record straight on a few issues.

The GPA has been in existence for about seven years. The issue of player welfare has been addressed, before and during that period to a fair degree, if at varying levels and with some inconsistencies and tardiness. One of my predecessors, Sean McCague, appointed a Players Advisory Group and a Task Force to examine and recommend on players welfare issues. The recommendations of that Task Force were introduced by Sean Ó Ceallaigh to Central Council at his first Council meeting and were adopted by the Council. The Sean McCague initiative produced a generous and enlightened package, which effectively gave players equal and even superior tangible benefits than any voluntary official. The evolving scenario however demanded a more holistic and comprehensive approach and this has not been addressed. It also required a system and structure which would ensure that no county was remiss, neglectful or insensitive in player welfare issues or the implementation of measures approved.

Much has been made of the grants issue and the GPA. My unwillingness to attend any meeting until I had formally assumed the position of Uachtarán appears to have become the central issue. The truth and reality is somewhat different to that portrayed. The motion from the Players Representative was put on the agenda for Central Council at it's meeting of 25th February. That motion sought Central Council's support for the GPA's grant application to the Government. It transpired at the Coiste Bainistí meeting on the morning of the Central Council meeting that the considerations of Central Council had been pre-empted and that the Uachtarán had already agreed to meet with the Minister with the GPA.

Like the members of Coiste Bainistí and Central Council, the first I knew of a meeting having been arranged with the Minister for Sport was on the day of the Central Council meeting. In an issue of potential fundamental consequences for the Association, I was not in a position, nor did I think it prudent that any other G.A.A. Official should approach the Minister until I could appraise myself fully with all the issues involved and until such time as I could be guided by our counties through Central Council. Coiste Bainistí supported this view, as indeed did Central Council. The motion in respect of Government Grants was withdrawn at Central Council and the meeting with the Minster was, insofar as I am concerned, taken off the agenda in terms of the 8th March at least. I was therefore surprised that it became an issue and that the facts and Central Council's decision were distorted and blurred by either misunderstanding or expedient agenda.

It is indeed likely that the GPA may have been under a false illusion that Central Council had previously endorsed the concept of Government Grants for Players. The records show that this never happened. Perhaps the GPA was under the impression that this was a simple issue for Central Council to rubber stamp? The reality is that this issue requires the collective decision of the Association through Central Council following consideration and debate, particularly at county level.

I was not in a position, for the reasons I have stated, to address the issues or fill any vacuum that existed in the last few weeks. However, I do not think that anybody could accuse me of being divorced from, or insensitive to player's issues. I have played and managed at all levels in both codes and I have served in a multitude of administrative positions in our Association. I intend using that experience to address player issues in a way that is meaningful and which will benefit players, not just in this generation but in future generations. To do this, player welfare initiatives must be fair and equitable and must reconcile with the policies, structures and well-being of our Association. I am confident that these aims and aspirations can be achieved.

As already stated, I know that genuine player issues have not received the priority they should have in the recent past. I know that there have been incidents which are unacceptable and that some counties have failed to meet their obligations in the implementation and application of agreed measures and guidelines. That will change, I can assure you, as player welfare matters will be a priority during my Presidency.

I want to make one matter quite clear today though, lest there be any misunderstanding or ambiguity on anyone's part. Since the GPA was launched the notion of pay-for-play has been on their agenda. Despite recent comments from some of their officials, I am of the view that this remains the ultimate aim of the GPA in some form or other. Our Association was fostered, nurtured and developed on the basis of its amateur status and the incredible work of our thousands of loyal volunteers. Its future survival and continued progress cannot be assured unless these core aspects of our charter are maintained. Pay-for-play of any kind will not be entertained or even discussed by me during the next three years, and I know that the vast majority of our stakeholders agree with this view.

Despite the significant spend on today's inter-county players (€24M in 2005, including Player's Injury Scheme payments), we must and will address player welfare issues in a more progressive manner in the future. The following are just some of the initiatives I wish to announce today:

Shortly after this Congress we will set about recruiting a Player Welfare Manager based in Croke Park. Some of his key areas of responsibility will be:
Auditing of County Boards to ensure compliance with the Player Welfare procedures approved by Árd Comhairle
Be a direct contact for any player whose injury claim payment is being unduly delayed
Meet with any player (when requested) who has suffered a particularly serious injury to ensure an appropriate care and rehabilitation programme has been put in place
Delivery of education programmes on all aspects of player medical welfare (including drugs testing and associated issues) in association with an expanded G.A.A. Medical Committee
The incoming Insurance Work Group will be asked to review the current Player's Injury Scheme to see how benefits might be improved
We have set aside €1M (initially) in our 2006 budget to cater for what is termed "hardship cases". Former players as well as current players (club or county) may apply via their County Board for access to this fund and a Medical/G.A.A. panel will be established to initially define the criteria for accessing the fund and thereafter to adjudicate on the merits of each application
An expanded Medical Committee will work closely with the G.A.A. to offer advice on the medical welfare of our players. Some of those areas will be:
Design and implementation of high quality modern injury surveillance, injury prevention and rehabilitation programmes
Coordination of injury and rehabilitation research projects in sports and exercise medicine and science
Ensuring Irish Sports Council anti-doping and drug testing policies are implemented and properly supervised, including the provision of advice to Players, Team Mentors & Officials, including Medical personnel
Evaluation and implementation of evidence-based medical screening programmes
Prevention of over-training syndromes and over-use injuries, particularly relating to young players
Prevention of premature injuries and degeneration using adequate injury rehabilitation and recovery programmes
Education of GAA team doctors and allied medical personnel with regular updating of information regarding medical matters
Árd Comhairle will undertake a review of current policies relating to the provision of various resources to players
Greater use will be made of players to market aspects of our Association's affairs
I am asking Comhairle Árd Oideachais to submit proposals to Coiste Bainistí relating to the provision of bursaries to Third Level Colleges
We will offer inter-county players a training course to build their self confidence in dealing with the media and to avail of personal appearances for on-going commercial opportunities.

The above should be seen as a serious commitment by the G.A.A. to address player welfare. I expect other issues will emerge in the future and we will be responsible and generous in how we will look after all our players and the respect we will show them.

Use of Croke Park
The use of Croke Park by other sporting bodies in 2007 remains a very emotive issue for many of our members. I supported the temporary relaxation of Rule 42 last year and remain satisfied that this decision was in the best interests of our Association and our country. However, I recognise that many members were hurt and upset at the decision and subsequent comments by some people showed a scant understanding of these people's feelings on the matter and were unhelpful. Right now our contract with the other two sporting bodies is only for 2007. When we sit down to negotiate for the use of Croke Park beyond 2007 I will expect to see clear tangible evidence that the planning process relating to Lansdowne Road is making progress. The decision to set aside Rule 42 during the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road was on the understanding that planning permission would be secured at some stage in 2006 and building work would commence in 2007. That may well happen, but recent reports make me seriously concerned at possible delays in the planning process. Árd Comhairle will be kept fully briefed on the matter and I will ensure that this matter is continually monitored. I remain strongly committed to honouring the decision of last year's Congress, but if circumstances change which are not of our making, then the matter will have to be reviewed by you, if necessary.

Finance & Governance
I recognise that the growing cost of running County Boards is placing enormous difficulties on the shoulders of many voluntary Officials. Balancing the books is a constant challenge, so the need for proper budgeting and financial control is essential. I have instructed the incoming Financial Management Committee to insist that each County Unit submits an annual budget by the end of January each year and their annual accounts by the end of December each year. Financial assistance will only be paid on receipt of this information. It is no longer acceptable that County Boards spend beyond their resources, so increased vigilance can be expected from the Financial Management Committee in the years ahead.

The G.A.A. National Audit Committee will formally commence work in the coming months. It purpose will be:

To ensure the integrity of the Association's financial reports and statements
To ensure the Association's compliance with legal and regulatory financial requirements
To evaluate the independent public accountant's qualifications and independence
To ensure the establishment and oversight of an internal audit function
The work of this committee will be invaluable in establishing proper controls and procedures at all levels of our Association. Compliance with their recommendations will not be an option.

Join us..............fight the good fight! Do your bit!

www.ofonebelief.org/

Join us............

www.ofonebelief.org/

John O'Neill one of the organisers of tomorrow nights meeting in the Elk will be interviewed tonight on the RTE news at 6

Three County Boards have motions in from clubs against the GAA distributing the player grants:

Fermanagh
Tyrone
Derry

If these motions are approved they will have to go to congress!!!!!!!

Lads, make sure that you spread the word, tell you club members etc etc......the main focus on the meeting will be to put pressure on central council to defer the decision on grants to a special congress or to the congress in April.....there needs to be the same level of debate and consultation over this issue as there was over the changes to rules 21 and 42.

We can get the decision deferred to Congress in April.........so everyone can have a say

In the GAA which was bequeathed to us; in which we were brought up in; and which we learned to cherish and respect, we do not:

Pay people to play our games and to use facilities that were put there totally by voluntary effort ... but then try to fool ourselves and others that we're still amateur

Undermine core GAA rules (ie Rule 11) in secret from our members but in collaboration with non-GAA bodies

Refuse to consult with the membership on issues of fundamental principle

Accept that there are two classes of GAA members – inter-County players who are paid and a lesser class of volunteers who merely serve their betters

Nor do we roll over and allow Ireland's greatest sporting and cultural organisation, and a bulwark against much of what's going wrong in Ireland today, to be destroyed through greed and selfishness.

If the sentiments above strike a chord with you, then please attend a public meeting at 7pm on Wednesday December 5th in the Elk Toomebridge....spread the word

Bí linn is cuidigh linn: come and join us ...do your bit!

Dear All,



After yesterday's announcement about pay-for-play in the GAA, a group of concerned GAA people are coming together as follows:



Wednesday 5 December



7.00pm



The Elk



(between Castledawson and Toome on the main Belfast/Derry road)





The aim is to hold an open meeting to see what the grass-roots view is about this absolutely seismic shift in GAA policy.



If you're concerned about this whole issue, please come along.



And it would be useful if you could circulate the content of this email to like-minded people.

Its never to late, If they (the management committee) don't listen, we will shout louder, nothing is impossible, take two minutes of your time and drop an e-mail to your central council delegate, if you are an Armagh man its Gene Duffy....his address will be on the Armagh web-site, tell him that you are opposed to the deal being approved next week and let him know that this is the consensus of the grassroots of the association.

Lets take some action, use this board to push the agenda

This is my first time posting on the Board, however I have viewed the comments made on it for years.

I feel strongly about the existence of the GPA and the announcement made today over player grants.  

The sentiments coming from vast majority of posters on the discussion board is that they are opposed to the GPA and what they stand for.

Today President of the GAA, supported by officials signed up (in principle) to a deal that will ultimately led to semi-professionalism for the association, in simple terms our leaders have caved in and GPA has won.

The indications coming from Croke Park over the last 8 months made it clear that the association would not be distributing any money from the Sports Council to players, however today it was agreed that a National Committee comprising of GAA volunteers and "GPA officials?" would administer the grants and they would be supported committees at County Board level.

This issue needs to be debated and decided by the Grassroots, this decision has far reaching consequences and is of more importance (to the internal association) than the rule 21 or rule 42 debates.  

Central Council will meet on Saturday 8th December and the President has stated that the purpose of this meeting is to "ratify" the GPA deal............

Central Council is a democratically elected body and doesn't have to ratify anything......call your central council delegate and ask him is he going to vote the GAA out of existence next Saturday......Tell your central council delegate that this month will be election time for him and he should vote against semi-professionalism as the grass roots GAA volunteers in the county put him on the Central Council, they can also take him off it.....!

If you are a GAA member, then ask you Club Secretary to write the Director General and CC your county and provincial secretary, tell the top table at Croke Park that we the Grassroots GAA volunteers say no to this deal. County Conventions will be run across the county in December go to your convention ask to speak under AOB and raise the issue.

Now is the time, we need galvanise the grassroots, let our voice be heard, this is a battle for the future of GAA, we need to take back control of our association and stop the Dublin media and a group of self interested retired players setting the agenda of the largest Sporting, Cultural, Voluntary and Community Organisation in the world....





Tell your Central Council Delegate before next Saturday:

•   No to pay for play
•   No to players grants being administrated by the GAA
•   No to recognition of the GPA
•   Yes to Player Welfare
•   Yes to Amateurism
•   Yes to Grassroots recognition and support  


Don't let Dessie Farrell and Co dismantle our Club network, sneak professionalism in through the back door and insult generations of grassroots GAA volunteers who built our association.