The GPA has released a statement on behalf of senior intercounty ladies football and camogie panels to say that they will play the rest of this year's championship 'under protest'.
The statement from the GPA on behalf of the panels has outlined the grievances of the players, who say that their national bodies are not hearing their concerns, and that the players are not receiving the respect that they deserve.
The statement says that the State of Play report released two months ago shed light on significant issues within training and playing environments, and called for the LGFA, Camogie association and the GAA to enter into discussions with them to develop a charter for female players to be implemented form 2024, to establish minimum standards for the players collective welfare.
The statement say that the GAA has declined their proposal, the LGFA did not respond, while the Camogie Association did request a presentation be made at their Ard Comhairle, which took place last week.
The statement concludes by saying not to expect business as usual in the upcoming weeks and months, and that they remain resolute in their pursuit of a better future.
The statement in full reads:
"Today, representatives of the senior inter-county camogie and football panels are here before you, representing our respective teams, as well as our fellow players from the intermediate & junior grades, with their full support.
"We find ourselves in a situation we never wished to be in, echoing the experiences of our soccer and rugby counterparts in recent years. Regrettably, we feel, that our National Governing Bodies do not want to hear our real concerns, so we’re speaking directly to you.
"We will play the remainder of the 2023 championship under protest.
"Our representative body, the Gaelic Players Association, released the State of Play Report two months ago, which shed light on significant issues within our training and playing environments.
"The main request has been well-documented; we asked the LGFA, the Camogie Association, and the GAA to engage in discussions with the GPA to develop a charter designed for female players to be implemented in the 2024 season. This charter would establish minimum standards for our collective welfare.
"Upon the report’s publication, the GPA privately contacted the three National Governing Bodies, seeking collaboration to achieve an agreed-upon charter. Our aim was to work together towards a positive outcome that would make us all proud.
"Despite initial positive indications, the GAA has since declined our proposal. The Camogie Association, however, did request a presentation to be made to their Ard Chomhairle, which took place last week. Regrettably, the LGFA has not deemed it appropriate to respond.
"Their primary rationale is that they prefer to complete the integration process before initiating a charter for female players. Despite the evidence presented, they expect us to patiently endure the treatment of second-class citizens.
"We are no longer willing to wait. It has been over 18 months since integration was declared a priority and voted in by the membership of the three Associations. While the National Governing Bodies claim to be listening, it is evident that they are not truly hearing us. Urgent issues affecting player welfare have been brought to their attention, yet they refuse to even engage collectively to discuss solutions.
"We as players are not receiving the respect we deserve. Therefore, do not expect business as usual in the upcoming weeks and months.
"In recent months Cavan’s footballers and Kildare’s camogie players have shown us what potentially lies in store for all of us if nothing changes.
"We are not willing to wait for 56 more individual battles to arise.
"We stand here together, unified. And together, we will remain resolute in our pursuit of a better future.
"The senior inter-county Ladies Football and Camogie panels"
