government grants to GAA players -- not getting into prefessionalism etc

[squareballz]

government grants to GAA players

So the taxpayer pays for this. Is this correct, if so rather see it go on health
Also this is a govt grant. which the govt can stop paying at anytime in the way they cut funding to other organizations/depts ??
ie tax take was low this year so we're cutting the funding to the players grant scheme by 50%

Bottom line for me , it's b*ll*x.  If its pay per how far you get most players will recive arround 2K. 2K?? all thi sshite for 2k

[Hound]

government grants to GAA players

So the taxpayer pays for this. Is this correct, if so rather see it go on health
Also this is a govt grant. which the govt can stop paying at anytime in the way they cut funding to other organizations/depts ??
ie tax take was low this year so we're cutting the funding to the players grant scheme by 50%

Bottom line for me , it's b*ll*x.  If its pay per how far you get most players will recive arround 2K. 2K?? all thi sshite for 2k

Its a miniscule drop in the ocean. It won't feature in any cutbacks, because it wouldnt make a difference. The "worst" that could happen would be a freeze. If they did stop it, it would go to other sporting causes, not to health.

You're right that 2k is a pittance. Still it'd make a nice little bonus for the players, and it would sicken the hole of many people to see theses "primadonnas" getting a few bucks. It sickens many of them as it is to see them getting free gear, free meals...

[magpie seanie]

It sickens many of them as it is to see them getting free gear, free meals...

If you believe that you're seriously delusional. I don't know one person who begrudges intercounty players meals after games/training or proper gear. C'mon Hound - thats poor. you're better than that.

[cornafean]

From rte.ie/news just now ... and still not a dickybird on gaa.ie


GAA officially approve grant scheme
Tuesday, 18 March 2008 14:07

The Central Council have today approved the rewarding of government grants to GAA players.

A National Scheme committee will be established to see over the grants, which will be made available to senior inter-county footballers and hurlers.

The total of €3.5 million will be divided out to players, where they're expected to receive between €1,400-€2,500 each depending on performance in the Championship.

Players will be entitled to claim a refund of elligible expenses in same way they currently claim from the county committee.

The Gaelic Player's Association today welcome the announcement and in a statement said: '(We) welcome the decision taken by Central Council today to ratify the Agreement on Government-funded Performance and Support Schemes for inter-county players.

'The GPA reiterates its commitment to the maintenance of the GAA's amateur status and acknowledges that the Schemes do not undermine that status.

'The GPA would like to thank Central Council delegates for their support of the Agreement and senior GAA officials for their contribution to the final document.'

[squareballz]

That it so? GPA are finished with the Grant Scheme and payment to players?

[lynchbhoy]

am I correct in saying that there has to be a vote from the delegates at the next GAA AGM ?

The GAA central committee are ensuring that the decision to stop this grant is not coming from them, and ensuring that the gpa dont have grounds to then stir up a strike because the bad old GAA council shot them down.


No, but when the county delegates vote shoots it down the gpa wont have a leg to stand on.

Thats what I suspect will happen.

then again maybe the grassroots want the grants for players after all.
We shall see.

[Frank Casey]

am I correct in saying that there has to be a vote from the delegates at the next GAA AGM ?

In short yes and I assume that there is some sort of a motion to this effect on the clar for the congress next month.

[believebelive]

am I correct in saying that there has to be a vote from the delegates at the next GAA AGM ?

The GAA central committee are ensuring that the decision to stop this grant is not coming from them, and ensuring that the gpa dont have grounds to then stir up a strike because the bad old GAA council shot them down.


No, but when the county delegates vote shoots it down the gpa wont have a leg to stand on.

Thats what I suspect will happen.

then again maybe the grassroots want the grants for players after all.
We shall see.

County delegates won't vote this down cos Croke Park will tell them to vote for the motion from Central Council.

And the grassroots will never be asked their opinion on this.

[deiseach]

Am I alone in thinking that other sports organisations are waiting in the long grass for the grants to come on stream before submitting their own claims? I can't see any of them reacting too well to being told that they aren't as culturally significant as the GAA is

[laoisgaa]

Got this from the GAA today

ANNUAL TEAM PERFORMANCE SCHEME AND ANNUAL SUPPORT SCHEME FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF EXCELLENCE
IN THE INDIGENOUS SPORTS OF HURLING AND GAELIC FOOTBALL

1.   Introduction

The Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism has provided the funds to allow the Irish Sports Council to introduce the schemes ("the Schemes"), details of which are set out below to recognise the outstanding contribution of Gaelic inter-county players to our indigenous sport, to meet additional costs associated with elite team performance and to encourage aspiring teams and players to reach the highest levels of sporting endeavour.

2.   Rationale

Gaelic senior inter-county players provide the window through which our national games are viewed nationally and internationally.  It is recognised that successful teams prepare and train to highest international standards for team sports.  It is also recognised that the current scheme of tax relief for professional sports people does not apply to Gaelic players because of their amateur status.  The Schemes will be based on participation in the GAA All-Ireland football championship and the GAA All-Ireland hurling championship ("the Championships").

3.   Definitions

For the purposes of the Schemes:-

Central Council   Means the Central Council of the GAA.
Championship Season   Means in relation to an inter-county team the period commencing 1 May and ending on the date that the team ceases to participate in the Championships.
Eligible Expenses   Means vouched expenses (including but not limited to  appropriate mileage expenses) incurred by a player in a Relevant Year in the course of compliance by him with the requirements of paragraph 7.2 (Conditions applicable to players personally). 
However, such expenses must be in accordance with the standard rates in respect of such expenses as are from time to time approved by Central Council. 
Eligible Expenses do not include expenses to the extent that those expenses have already been reimbursed or discharged by the County Committee.  However, where an expense has partly been discharged by the County Committee, the balance of that expense may be included in Eligible Expenses.
Maximum Refund   Has the meaning given in paragraph 8.4 (Refund of Eligible Expenses).
National Scheme Committee   Means the National Scheme Committee referred to in paragraph 9.1
Panel   Means in relation to an inter-county team participating in a Championship the players from time to time on the Panel of players recognised by the Team Committee as being the players from which the team is chosen, and may include injured players retained on that Panel.
Reference Amount   Means in relation to a player the amount set out in the second column of Schedule 1 opposite the performance position achieved by his Panel as set out in the first column.
Relevant Year   Means the period commencing 1 January of the relevant Championship Season and ending at the end of the Championship Season.
Refund Amount   Has the meaning given in paragraph 8.2 (Refund Amount).
Scheme Points   Means the number of points allocated in accordance with paragraph 8.3 (Scheme Points) to a player for the purpose of calculating his share of the Total Panel Amount appropriate to his team set out in Schedule 1.
Team Committee    Means in relation to an inter-county team, the County Panels Finance Sub-Committee or such other body or person as is from time to time designated by the National Scheme Committee in relation to that team. 
Team Development Account   Has the meaning given in paragraph 10 (Team Development Account).
Total Panel Amount    Means in relation to a Panel the amount set out in the third column of Schedule 1opposite the performance position achieved by the Panel as set out in the first column.

4.   The Schemes

4.1.   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 twelve GAA football teams qualifying for the third round of the All Ireland Qualifier Series or reaching a provincial final and the twelve hurling teams participating in the McCarthy Cup.

4.2.   Annual Support Scheme for the development of excellence

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 of the teams and individuals.  This Scheme shall apply to teams participating in the Championships, but not qualifying for the Team Performance Scheme. 

5.   Funding

An amount of €3.5m will be provided in 2008 to fund the Schemes.  The amount required to fund the Schemes in subsequent years shall be determined by the Minister.  The Irish Sports Council shall transfer that amount to Central Council for the account of the National Scheme Committee following the furnishing of such accounts and supporting documentation as the Irish Sports Council shall require. 

6.   Development Plans

The GAA will publish a template of a development plan to be adopted by each Team Committee in relation to each of the county's Championship teams following the approval of that template by the National Scheme Committee.  That template will include amongst other items the following:-

6.1.   key performance indicators for the team.  These indicators will include Panel  targets and objectives;

6.2.   formulation of an appropriate training regime for the Panel ;

6.3.   provision of comprehensive information and advice on the anti-doping code;

6.4.   provision as appropriate of qualified personnel to enhance player/team development including advice and support in all aspects of team and individual fitness, nutrition, health and wellbeing associated with the playing of the games;

6.5.   presence of certified medical personnel at all inter-county games;

6.6.   regular fitness testing of players;

6.7.   setting of minimum requirements in respect of injured players to demonstrate that they are participating satisfactorily in rehabilitation;

6.8.   participation by players in coaching and games development work in the county on a voluntary basis and in initiatives at county and national level to promote their sports as a healthy activity for all ages;

6.9.   establishment of a code of conduct to which all players and team management are required to adhere;

6.10.   acceptance by the Team Committee and the team management of the charter for inter-county teams to be published by the GAA and as amended from time to time;

6.11.   establishment of a system to take account of players joining or departing from the Panel.

7.   Conditions of eligibility for participation in the Schemes

A player shall not be entitled to participate in the Schemes unless his team is one of the teams to which the Schemes apply and the conditions set out below applicable to his team and to the player personally have been fulfilled. 

7.1.   Conditions applicable to the team

7.1.1.   The Team Committee has adopted a development plan in accordance with the template and has submitted that plan to the National Scheme Committee in accordance with such procedures and timetable as are specified by the National Scheme Committee from time to time.

7.1.2.   The Team Committee furnishes such evidence as is, from time to time, required by the National Scheme Committee to demonstrate compliance with the development plan.

7.2.   Conditions applicable to players personally

The Team Committee and/or the player concerned (as required by the National Scheme Committee) makes such returns and furnishes such evidence as is, from time to time, specified by the National Scheme Committee to demonstrate compliance by the player concerned with the following requirements:-

7.2.1.   attendance at at least 80% of all training sessions and matches of the team in the Championship Season;

Where a player is injured and is excused by the team management from attendance, the minimum attendance will be 80% of all training sessions and matches other than those for which the player has been excused.

7.2.2.   demonstrating in accordance with the development plan of improvement in fitness through regular testing;

7.2.3.   strict compliance with the anti-doping code;

7.2.4.   in the case of injured players, demonstrating in accordance with the development plan that the player is participating satisfactorily in rehabilitation; 

7.2.5.   commitment to participate in coaching and games development work in his county on a voluntary basis;

7.2.6.   in cooperation with the Local Sports Partnerships,  a commitment to visit schools and youth facilities as part of an overall policy to promote increased participation in his sport;

7.2.7.   involvement as is from time to time reasonably required in initiatives at county and national level to promote his sport as a healthy activity for all ages.



8.   Refund of Eligible Expenses

8.1.   Basis of Schemes

The Schemes will operate by way of refund of Eligible Expenses in accordance with the provisions set out below and by way of  the payment to the Team Development Fund in accordance with clause 10 (Team Development Fund).  The structure of the Schemes recognises that the longer a player's team is involved in the Championship, the greater the expenses that will be incurred by the player.  Although the total of funding available to a team is calculated by reference to 30 players per Panel, it is recognised that there may be more than 30 players per Panel and that there may be players whose participation on the Panel is only for part of a Championship Season. 

8.2.   Refund Amount

A player shall be entitled to a refund of Eligible Expenses (his "Refund Amount") up to the lesser of his Reference Amount and his Maximum Refund.

8.3.   Scheme Points

A player will be credited with 100 Schemes Points if he has been on the Panel for the entirety of the Championship Season.  Where a player has been on the Panel for part only of the Championship Season, he shall be entitled to 20 Scheme Points for each one fifth part of the Championship Season that he has been on the Panel, rounded up to the nearest fifth part.

8.4.   Maximum Refund

The Maximum Refund to which a player is entitled is that part of the relevant Total Panel Amount that is in the same proportion that his Scheme Points bear to the total Scheme Points of his Panel. 

8.5.   Dual players

A player who is on the Panel of both the hurling and football teams of his county shall elect, prior to making an application for a refund of Eligible Expenses in respect of a year under the Schemes, the team in respect of which he intends to make an application.  For the purpose of this Scheme, the player shall be deemed not to have been part of the Panel of the other team.  In no circumstances may a player claim a refund of expenses in relation to two Panels.

8.6.   Unclaimed Expenses

In the event that a player or players do not claim the refund of Eligible Expenses up to the Refund Amount, either in whole or in part, the amount not so claimed shall be dealt with in accordance with paragraph 10 (Team Development Account) and shall not be added to the amount claimable by the other members of the Panel calculated in accordance with paragraph 8.4 (Maximum Refund).

8.7.   Total Panel Amount

In no circumstances shall the amount of Eligible Expenses refunded under the Schemes to a Panel exceed the Total Panel Amount of  that Panel as set out in Schedule 1.

9.   Administration of the Schemes

9.1.   National Scheme Committee

The National Scheme Committee will comprise three nominees of Central Council, one of whom shall be the chairperson, and two nominees of the GPA.  The National Scheme Committee shall regulate their meetings as they see fit.  The quorum for the transaction of business shall be three, one of whom shall be a nominee of the GPA and one of whom shall be a nominee of Central Council.  The National Scheme Committee may have meetings by telephone, either by conference telephone connections or by a series of telephone conversations, or by exchange of facsimile or email transmissions and addressed to the chairman.  The views of the National Scheme Committee, as ascertained by such telephone conversations or facsimile or email transmissions, and communicated to the chairman, shall be treated as votes in favour of or against a particular resolution.  A resolution passed at any meeting held in this manner and signed by the chairman shall be as valid and effectual as if it had been passed at a meeting of the National Scheme Committee duly convened and held.

9.2.   Procedures

The National Scheme Committee shall be responsible for the administration of the Schemes and shall determine from time to time the procedures and regulations to be followed in connection with the making and processing of applications for refunds under the Schemes and in connection with the establishment of Team Development Accounts, the application of the funds paid to Team Development Accounts under the Schemes and the administration of the Schemes generally.


10.   Team Development Account

10.1.   Approval of Team Development Account

In relation to each Panel, the Team Development Fund shall be such account of the Team Committee as is from time to time approved by the National Scheme Committee, subject to such conditions, regulations and procedures as may from time to time be set out by the National Scheme Committee in relation to any such Team Development Account.

10.2.   Payments to Team Development Fund

To the extent that the Total Panel Amount in respect of a Panel has not been claimed by players on the Panel,(being a Panel  to which the Schemes apply and in respect of which the provisions of paragraph 7.1 (Conditions Applicable to the Team) have been fulfilled) has not been claimed by Players on that Panel, the balance shall be paid to by the National Scheme Committee to the Team Development Account .

10.3.   Implementation of Development Plan

The funds paid under the Schemes to a Team Development Account shall be applied in implementation of the relevant development plan submitted pursuant to clause 7.1 (Conditions applicable to the Team).  The Team Committee shall account to the National Scheme Committee in relation to the application of the funds under the Schemes paid to the Team Development Account in such manner as is reasonably required from time to time by the National Scheme Committee.

11.   Miscellaneous Provisions

11.1.   Schemes additional to existing funding

The Schemes are additional to and will not negatively impact upon existing funding or any future funding provided by the Government to the GAA through the Irish Sports Council or otherwise.

11.2.   Amateur status of GAA not affected

Nothing in the Schemes is intended to or shall be implemented so as to undermine that amateur status or to be in conflict with rule 11 of the Official Guide of the GAA.

11.3.   Acknowledgements of GPA

The GPA has acknowledged that:-

11.3.1.   the refund of expenses as contemplated by  the Schemes shall only apply for so long as government funding is made available for that purpose,  will cease when and if Government funding ceases, that there is no responsibility  on the GAA to continue funding  the Schemes  in that event  and that no such request will be made by the GPA;

11.3.2.   it recognizes that the GAA is an amateur association and their absolute commitment to the maintenance of the amateur status of the GAA and that nothing in the Schemes is intended to or shall be implemented so as to undermine that amateur status or to be in conflict with rule 11 of the Official Guide of the GAA.

11.4.   Tax liability

The Schemes are intended to reimburse vouched expenses only to the extent that such reimbursement does not give rise to a liability to tax.  However each player shall account to the Revenue Commissioners for any taxation payable in respect of the sums payable to him pursuant to the Schemes and shall make such returns in relation to such payments as are required by law.

11.5.   Player welfare

This Scheme does not affect the responsibility of the GAA for the welfare of its players.

11.6.   Independent review

The Schemes shall be subject to independent review every three years to be carried out under the aegis of Irish Sports Council.  Arising from that review, the Minister may revoke or alter one or more of the Schemes in such manner as the Minister considers appropriate. 

11.7.   Entitlement to vary Schemes

The Minister may alter the terms of the Schemes from time to time.

12.   Dispute resolution

In the event of any dispute or difference as to any entitlement under these Schemes, that dispute or difference shall be submitted to the National Scheme Committee for determination.  Unless any party to that dispute gives notice of appeal of the determination of the National Scheme Committee within 10 days of the National Scheme Committee notifying its decision to the parties concerned, the decision of the National Scheme Committee shall be final and binding on all parties. 

If notice of such appeal is given within the time referred to above, the matter shall be finally determined by an appeal committee comprised of one person nominated by Central Council, one person nominated by the GPA and one independent person appointed by agreement between the nominees of Central Council and of the GPA.  The Appeal Committee shall make the determination by a majority vote, shall regulate the proceedings as it sees fit and its determination shall be final and binding upon the parties.  The Appeal Committee shall act as experts and not as arbitrators.  The Appeal Committee shall be entitled to determine in what proportion the costs and expenses incurred by the Appeal Committee shall be borne by the parties to the appeal.





DATE:      ____________________________

SCHEDULE 1

REFERENCE AMOUNTS AND TOTAL PANEL AMOUNTS

      
Annual Team Performance Awards   
Performance Position   Reference Amount
€   Total Panel  Amount
€
All-Ireland SFC      
Finalists   2,500   75,000
Semi-Finalists   2,300   69,009
Quarter-Finalists   2,100   63,000
Qualifiers Round 3   2,000   60,000
      
All-Ireland SHC      
Finalists   2,500   75,000
Semi-Finalists   2,300   69,000
Quarter-Finalists   2,100   63,000
Phase 4   2,000   60,000
Phase 2/3   1,900   57,000
      
Annual Grant for the Development of Excellence in the Indigenous
Sports of Hurling and Gaelic Football
Performance Position   Grant Amount
€   Total Panel  Amount
Tier 1 - All-Ireland SFC      
Qualifiers Round 2   1,800   54,000
Qualifiers Round 1   1,700   51,000
      
Tier 2 - Tommy Murphy Cup SF   
Finalists   1,700   51,000
All Other Participants   1,550   46,500
      
Tier 2 - Christy Ring Cup SH   
Finalists   1,700   51,000
All Other Participants   1,550   46,500
      
Tier 3 - Nicky Rackard Cup SH   
Finalists   1,500   45,000
All Other Participants   1,400   42,000

[Smokin Joe]

11.4.   Tax liability

The Schemes are intended to reimburse vouched expenses only to the extent that such reimbursement does not give rise to a liability to tax. 

Erm, how exactly is that going to be done?

I had thought the original idea of the grant was that it was a grant, not reimbursement of expenses which are already being reimbursed.

We (the GAA) have made a real mess of this 

[zoyler]

This could be red to mean that the grant is replacing expenses already being paid by the County Boards.  Presumably expenses now being paid have to be vouched or have the circumstances underwhich expenses are payable been widened?

A Cork Co. Board could play puck with this.

[Hardy]

The county boards already pay the players' expenses. Now the GAA centrally is going to pay (from funds provided by the taxpayer) the players' "expenses". Does this mean that the county boards will no longer be funding the expenses? Or are we talking about other "expenses" and are the players going to be paid both sets of expenses from different sources? What are these other "expenses" that weren't being paid by the county boards? How can any player come up with a new set of vouched expenses additional to the expenses he already receives? If they're not new, why wasn't he claiming them from the county board heretofore? What will be the taxman's view of these newly discovered "expenses"? And if these are legitimate expenses, why did the GPA campaign for "grants" to be paid to inter-county players instead of concentrating on the much simpler expedient of working to ensure that their members were being paid their full and legitimate expenses by the county boards?

Can we stop this cute hoor nonsense now and quit the disedifying manoeuvring and squirming by the presidency and the executive in an effort to cover up their incompetence and weakness in being bullied by the GPA and their arrogance in trying to push this through without reference to the membership?

[Rois]

I'm interested - are players based outside the 26 counties seriously going to get money from this?  Were I a taxpayer in the south, I'd be concerned that my tax was going towards paying someone who probably pays tax in another jurisdiction and does not contribute to the coffers.

[orangeman]

Can we stop this cute hoor nonsense now and quit the disedifying manoeuvring and squirming by the presidency and the executive in an effort to cover up their incompetence and weakness in being bullied by the GPA and their arrogance in trying to push this through without reference to the membership?


That's typical of the GAA - They do SO much well and then usually go and make a balls of it ! This is yet another example of how the hiearchy think that we'll just go along with it - they insult us by their twisting and double speak ! It's such a shame.