GPA exceptionalism

[gallsman]

Parsons thinks GPA members should be at the heart of the integration discussion

[BigGreenField]

Parsons thinks GPA members should be at the heart of the integration discussion

Lots of words in the quotes,
No actual suggestions by GPA as to what should be done different or to speed up matters.

This quote stood out

"The GPA members, the players who give so much of their time freely, their energy, their love to these games, have every right to help shape that future."

They do but so does every other Gaa, LGFA and Camogie member. Real first among equals crap waving an entitlement flag in the air.

Have the integration cmtee published anything on what the hold ups are?

[gallsman]

Like any other union leader, Parsons is looking out for his membership, but this continued nonsense has to be called out. Micheál Carrigy hit the nail on the head:

Longford-Westmeath TD and former Longford GAA Central Council delegate Micheál Carrigy took exception with the GPA's calls to be at the centre of the integration process.

"I don't agree that the GPA should be sitting at the table with the three associations. The three associations represent the membership across the entire country and internationally.

"And in my view, every member is equal within the association. But you (GPA) don't seem to think so by coming in here and asking us to put you at the table that represents 0.66% of the entire membership of the organisation." 

Integration is about the fundamentals of the entire organisation, from which springs/will continue to spring the IC game across all four codes. Parsons is simply looking for more wherever he can get it. They've spied what they think is an opportunity, so they're making a lot of noise around it.

[BigGreenField]

Like any other union leader, Parsons is looking out for his membership, but this continued nonsense has to be called out. Micheál Carrigy hit the nail on the head:

Longford-Westmeath TD and former Longford GAA Central Council delegate Micheál Carrigy took exception with the GPA's calls to be at the centre of the integration process.

"I don't agree that the GPA should be sitting at the table with the three associations. The three associations represent the membership across the entire country and internationally.

"And in my view, every member is equal within the association. But you (GPA) don't seem to think so by coming in here and asking us to put you at the table that represents 0.66% of the entire membership of the organisation." 

Integration is about the fundamentals of the entire organisation, from which springs/will continue to spring the IC game across all four codes. Parsons is simply looking for more wherever he can get it. They've spied what they think is an opportunity, so they're making a lot of noise around it.

Absolutely, like the BMA and doctors the positioning odd the GPA as an altruistic organisation is annoying. Fair play to that TD.

[tiempo]

The reimagined/integrated GAA will be a new organisation complete with quotas and new avenues for the union to monetise, the GPA is a Trojan horse looking to take over from within. Personally I think integration will be a huge fail, it'll be more divisive and political than ever, less about games, more about agendas

[tiempo]

To me, equality is a commitment to a direction, rather than a moment in time. Speaking loosely, I don't know if there's any organisation in the world that we could say is exactly gender equal, because how do we define it? How do we determine it?

How do you even compete with this drivel, the GPA are in total fake it til ye make it territory

They've gone full Bradford

[APM]

https://m.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/gpa-survey-majority-of-male-inter-county-players-in-favour-of-manager-payments-but-split-over-amateur-status/a1001500669.html?errorCode=0

GPA in the papers again.

[tiempo]

https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/arid-41728032.html

As Tom would say 'there's evidence, not proof' that the players want a 7 month season

[tiempo]

€30,000 to DJ in 2022, how queer

[Dunsilly King]

In the absence of a club players association, I would be happy for the GPA to represent the interests of players. It was the presence of the GPA that brought the top table of the Gaa to start respecting players and making sure they got looked after, whether you like it or not.

[tiempo]

You make a great point, in whose interests was €30,000 given by the GPA to DJ in 2022, under what guidance/procedure, and who signed off? Ironically the Leinster council rejected his advances in 2020, what changed between 2020 and 2022, was it just that the GPA felt a former player was disrespected

If the GPA seeks the status and access that comes with a place at the top table - that they keep going on about, it must accept top-table standards of transparency and accountability. The GAA as governing body should insist on reciprocal oversight, representation from the GAA's top tier at the highest levels of GPA governance, full access to financial arrangements and routine auditing.

If the GPA is to appear before the Oireachtas, that opportunity should not be a PR exercise. It should mean full clarity on payments, procedures and governance, so that players, members and supporters can be confident there are no hidden arrangements and not an RTE-type slush fund culture operating in the shadows of what is supposed to be a representative body for amateur players

[JoG2]

In the absence of a club players association, I would be happy for the GPA to represent the interests of players. It was the presence of the GPA that brought the top table of the Gaa to start respecting players and making sure they got looked after, whether you like it or not.

Yes this is true, and players are looked after much better. But do we still need the GPA now? As tiempo says, it's all cloak and dagger with the GPA and that leads to serious distrust. Think it might have been in here years ago re GPA salaries.. The average salary was in or around €70k / year, but the vast majority of the staff were admin.
Imo, and not knowing the ins and outs, who does (?) , the current role of the GPA could surely be done inhouse?

[Baile Brigín 2]

In the absence of a club players association, I would be happy for the GPA to represent the interests of players. It was the presence of the GPA that brought the top table of the Gaa to start respecting players and making sure they got looked after, whether you like it or not.

Yes this is true, and players are looked after much better. But do we still need the GPA now? As tiempo says, it's all cloak and dagger with the GPA and that leads to serious distrust. Think it might have been in here years ago re GPA salaries.. The average salary was in or around €70k / year, but the vast majority of the staff were admin.
Imo, and not knowing the ins and outs, who does (?) , the current role of the GPA could surely be done inhouse?

There is nothing conceptually wrong with, for want of a better expression, a players union. I don't think it would be a good idea for the GAA itself to take on the role of negotiating with itself.

The salaries of staff are between the union and it's members. But. The GPA funding model stinks. The GAA funds it (42%), they have sponsors (18%) and state grants (38%) with 1% from subs. Would you join a union in work that was mostly funded by your employer? Are they really going to kick up knowing their jobs are literally at stake?

The GPA have moved far beyond their remit and are totally bought and paid for. Running interference for the GAA re professionalism. Getting on committees to do things for the GAA at arms length. Shady shit.

[tiempo]

I wouldn't say the GAA and GPA are in lockstep, the GPA are militant, amateur status is enshrined in their constitution but they continue to ballot players for their contentment with amateur status and speak of amateur status being at risk, a fundamental conflict of interest with their stated purpose, the GPA are actively asking for a seat at the top table with respect to commercial deals, competition structure, fixtures and integration while paying ex members tens of thousands on a nod and a wink - Tom really has some explaining to do

[Baile Brigín 2]

I wouldn't say the GAA and GPA are in lockstep, the GPA are militant, amateur status is enshrined in their constitution but they continue to ballot players for their contentment with amateur status and speak of amateur status being at risk, a fundamental conflict of interest with their stated purpose, the GPA are actively asking for a seat at the top table with respect to commercial deals, competition structure, fixtures and integration while paying ex members tens of thousands on a nod and a wink - Tom really has some explaining to do

I would. The GAA have them by the bollocks. They can bankrupt them tomorrow. The GPA can publish all the consultants reports they want. It achieves nothing and goes nowhere. Meanwhile they get exactly what the GAA give them.