Strike averted

[believebelive]

Gnevin, Can i ask you why you think teams below the top 12 get a fixed fee and the rest get more because of their time in the competition? did u just make this up?

[Gnevin]

Gnevin, Can i ask you why you think teams below the top 12 get a fixed fee and the rest get more because of their time in the competition? did u just make this up?

That was the original proposal was it not?

[Zapatista]

If you were an outsider you would be forgiven for thinking the prposed strike was the main issue.

This is Bullshit of the highest order.

If the numbers of those who disagree with this are willing to put their money were their mouth is then A BOYCOTT WOULD WORK.

We would see how the Government the GAA and the GPA respnd when there isn't 100s of thousands of people traveling the length and breadth of the country to watch inter-county sports.

This could really be the year of the club.

[believebelive]

Gnevin, Can i ask you why you think teams below the top 12 get a fixed fee and the rest get more because of their time in the competition? did u just make this up?

That was the original proposal was it not?

No - that was never the original proposal - the original proposal was a four tiered system ranging from 1650 to 2800 depending on how far you got - it was elitist too.
We don't know how elitist this new one will be yet as the figures are not out yet but I have a feeling that it will be a hell of a lot worse than even the first one.

[bennydorano]

-cut of TV revenue is the next debate.

If the GAA ever agree to pay-per-view I will be 100% behind the players getting their share of the money.  Pay-per-view is a step to far.

[AZOffaly]

As believebelieve has alluded to, I can't imagine too many of the players in the GPA (apart from the elite) will be too happy.

1) The money is €3.5 million.
2) Only the top 12 teams in each code are guaranteed it.
3) 'Performance Criteria' for the other 'Improvement Grants' are to be set by County Committees and team management.
4) Players have to attend 80% of sessions and games, accede to fitness tests, which they must show improvement in and commit to training teams in their 'spare time'. Sounds like the GAA have just got themselve a thousand unpaid coaches.

The GAA seem to be saddled with dispersal of the monies, albeit they seem to be ringfenced as totally seperate funding. The GAA also have to supply trained dieticians, physios, fitness gurus etc, which most county teams already have. They also have to have medical personnel at all IC games, which is more or less the norm anyway.

On first glance, it appears that the only part I have a real problem with is the GAA being responsible for moving the money around, but at least it is quite clear that it is independant of any other money the Gov or ISC pays to the GAA.

I think, all things being equal, the GAA did as well as they could hope out of this, given that they didn't seem to have the appetite to take the GPA on and stare down their threat of strike. Which is a pity in many ways.

No matter what spin Dessie puts on it though, I can't see any mad celebrations in at least 40 county panels.

[Hardy]

I just want to add my voice as one of the sorely disappointed. This has been a craven rollover by the GAA and pay for play is now established. From this moment on, the only debate is about how much.

Within a week, the GAA has not only let the GPA off the ropes, when the knockout punch could have been delivered by a failed strike, but consolidated their position, endorsed their money-grabbing mé-féinism and changed the character of tha GAA forever. Thanks a million Nicky.

... this document sees the county player having to do more to get the grant - there is no element of choice there anymore 

There is still one element of choice open (from the Agreement): "Any Inter County Squad or Player may decline the amount. "

[DUBSFORSAM1]

Annual Team Performance Scheme
The Annual Team Performance Scheme will be based on the performance of teams during the championships and will apply to the 12 Gaelic football teams qualifying for the third round of the All-Ireland Qualifier series or reaching a Provincial Final, and the 12 hurling teams participating in the McCarthy Cup. The level of award available to teams will be calculated on a sliding scale increasing with continuing involvement in the Championships.

Annual Support Scheme for the Development of Excellence in the Indigenous Sports of Hurling and Gaelic football
The Annual Support Scheme for the Development of Excellence will be based on the achievement of standards and performance-based criteria designed to raise/maintain the levels of preparation and skill of the teams and individuals not qualifying for the Team Performance Scheme. The GAA, the GPA and the Irish Sports Council will agree a set of standards and performance based criteria for counties and their senior team squads eliminated in the first two rounds of the All-Ireland Football Qualifiers, and those participating in the Tommy Murphy Cup, the Christy Ring and Nicky Rackard Cups. Recognising that the achievement of excellence necessitates increased sacrifice and effort by counties and individuals, this scheme will assist them in achieving/maintaining the required standards. Support will not be made available to individuals or squads that fail to meet minimum standards.   
Funding   


An amount of €3.5m will be provided in 2008 to fund these schemes. 
Criteria for participation in these Schemes   
County committees, team management and players representatives in participating counties will develop improvement plans with measurable goals and objectives, agreed with the ISC, and consistent with national GAA coaching and games development policy. The supports will be based on the following criteria:
County Committee Responsibilities
•   Establish and agree key performance indicators with team management. This will involve identifying squad targets and objectives, formulating an appropriate training regime/plan, establishing a code of conduct to which all parties give agreement and the provision of comprehensive information and advice on the anti-doping code. These indicators, objectives and requirements will be incorporated in the proposed Charter for inter county teams and County Committees.
•   Provision, as appropriate, of qualified personnel to enhance player/team development. This to include advice and support in all aspects of team and individual fitness, nutrition, health and well-being associated with playing the games.
•   A system to take account of players joining or departing from the county squad will be agreed.
•   Ensure the presence of certified medical personnel at all inter-county games.
Player Responsibilities 
•   Attend at least 80% of all training sessions/matches. This commitment will also apply to injured/rehab personnel except where excused.
•   Demonstrate improvement through regular fitness testing.
•   Keep updated training log/diary.
•   Strict adherence to anti-doping code.
•   Players who violate the code will not receive awards
•   Injured players will be expected to meet a set of agreed minimum requirements to demonstrate that they are participating satisfactorily in the rehabilitation process in order to receive an award.
•   Players will commit to participate in an agreed level of coaching and games development work in their county on a voluntary basis. In co-operation with the Local Sports Partnerships players will visit schools and youth facilities as part of an overall policy to promote increased participation in their sports.
•   Players will involve themselves in initiatives at county and national level to promote their sports as a healthy activity for all ages. •   Any Inter County Squad or Player may decline the amount.

Conditions
1.   Funding for the above schemes will be provided annually through the Irish Sports Council to the GAA and the criteria and arrangements for their disbursement will be agreed by the GAA, the GPA and the ISC.
2.   These schemes will be additional to, and will not negatively impact on, existing funding or any future funding, provided by the Government to the GAA through the ISC.
3.   All parties recognise the amateur status of the GAA and nothing in this agreement will undermine that amateur status.
4.   The schemes will be administered by a National Committee with player/administrative representatives of the GAA and GPA.  Committees to administer the schemes at county level will also be established.
5.   Dispute resolution will be carried out by the National Committee whose decisions will be final.
6.   This agreement applies to senior inter-county football and hurling panels only. Funding will be based on panels to a maximum of 30 players.
7.   Any tax liability that might arise from these schemes is the responsibility of the individual player.
8.   Player welfare is a separate issue for which the GAA takes full responsibility.
9.   The schemes will be subject to a tri-annual independent review to be carried out under the aegis of the ISC. 

First point means that players who are in teams that get further in the championship etc and therefore have incurred higher costs are targetted seperately to the other counties.

Second point shows that all other counties etc will also get funding.

The 3.5m Euro is to cover both schemes....REPEAT BOTH SCHEMES....

Third point highlighted to me says that no-longer will counties be able to get away with treating one sport as a second class citizen anymore and have to do far more to promote hurling in particular...

Point 4 highlighted I hope/assume that this will incorporate some form of mechanism with regards to appealing exessively against suspensions etc that players/counties have to agree to..

It ensures that proper medical facilities are available, that players don't take drugs and suffer if they do, gets players more invovled in promoting the sport especially for children..

The funding is not paid by the GAA, it is ringfenced as sperate from other GAA income and THERE IS IN WRITING THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE AMATEUR STATUS....

[altovito]

THERE IS IN WRITING THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE AMATEUR STATUS....

if you get paid mor than just expenses how can yo call yourself an amateur

nickey brennan/dessie farrell et al are all getting stick on her and rightly so. what about the f**king players who voted for a strike and how do the players from the shit teams in certain codes feel now
sham on you all for selling the association down the river for a few euro

[believebelive]

First point means that players who are in teams that get further in the championship etc and therefore have incurred higher costs are targetted seperately to the other counties.

But that sort of shite sickens my hole! this aid only comes into play after the league - it does not take into consdieration the efforts from october to may -

The Tommy Murphy Cup ended on the 4th of august last year - the fist 1/4 finals took place a week before - galway were out at the last 12 in the middle of July - so how in the name of blue jesus can this be for teams who get further in the championship and incurred higher costs - or are u saying that cos the tommy murphy cup is not important u just dont count that

[tintin25]

It'll be interesting to see how much of this grant is 'pissed up against a wall', spent on a nice wee holiday with the lads, or buys the new alloys for the car.

[orangeman]

We're all equal - problem is some are more equal than others.

[DUBSFORSAM1]

THERE IS IN WRITING THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE AMATEUR STATUS....

if you get paid mor than just expenses how can yo call yourself an amateur

nickey brennan/dessie farrell et al are all getting stick on her and rightly so. what about the f**king players who voted for a strike and how do the players from the shit teams in certain codes feel now
sham on you all for selling the association down the river for a few euro

Altovito - are you saying that for every penny the player spends he gets reimburesment??? Are you telling me that a payment of 50cents per mile covers the costs of mileage??? Are you telling me that all medicines, supplements, food etc required are paid for??? Are you telling me that babysitting charges etc are paid for??? or not being able to go on family holidays etc or changing weddings etc......

Believebelieve - Why don't you actually wait till you see the detail rather than just complaining about it.....The GPA/GAA put forward a proposal last year as to how the money would be distributed - and here is a summary - I will find the detailed listing when I can......


The GPA-GAA document provides €2,800 for each squad player in the All-Ireland senior football and hurling finals, right down to €1,650 for Tommy Murphy Cup first round losers.
Said a GPA-GAA statement: "It has been indicated that Government funding would be made available in the event that the GPA and GAA could agree terms on the utilisation and distribution of any funding provided. The proposal is under consideration."
The document reveals that the proposed scheme will be administered by a national committee which will consist of the Player Welfare Manager and the players' representative at Central Council, ie Farrell.
According to the GPA-GAA proposal, funding would be distributed in a number of ways:
75% to cover players out-of-pocket expenses arising from their participation on intercounty senior football and hurling panels.
A dual player will only be eligible for expenses in respect of his participation with either the senior hurling of senior football panel.
25% for the National Player Welfare programmes which will cover player insurance, scholarship, education/tuition/ distance-learning and such other programmes as may be considered appropriate.
The document contained a detailed breakdown of out-of-pocket expenses highlighting the special dietary needs of players, their training gear, motor expenses, communications and gym equipment.
The agreement would apply only for so long as government funding is made available for player welfare and will cease when and if government funding ceases. In this event there will be no responsibility on the GAA to continue funding and no such request will be made to it by the GPA.

The initial proposal contained only a small difference in payments from All-Ireland winners to Tommy Murphy first round losers....
25% didn't even go to the players but rather for a welfare programme...

AND THE MONEY WOULDN'T BE COMING FROM THE GAA IF HTE GOVT FUNDING CEASED...

[AZOffaly]

This could do more harm than good to the GPA. If there are 24 county panels eligible for the 'big' grant, and 40 not eligible, then almost 2/3rd of their membership have been sold down the river.

Also the terms of the deal seem to be onerous for the players, when the GPA is supposed to be in favour of lessening the burden on them.

If the Mayo hurlers, to use your example, are to be measured in fitness terms, have to do coaching voluntarily and attend all these sessions all for a tiny amount of taxable (possibly) money, what good is it to them?

Of course in 5 years when the grant goes up to €15,000, it'll be a bit more for them.

[theskull1]

So the membership vote for a strike on the behest of the GPA leadership yet they dont have a vote to agree the deal laid down. 

It seem that the GPA membership are happy to be treated like the pawns that they are for the sake of a few bob. They should all be ashamed of themselves. baaaaaaaaaaa