GPA to target financial loss to players
A survey highlight the growing levels of financial loss amongst injured GAA players is due to be published soon.
Following on from the case of Meath footballer Richie Kealy, who injured his right knee in June of last year and has received little or no help from his County Board and management, the Gaelic Players' Association (GPA) are to focus its attention on the issue of insurance for inter-county players.
A GPA statement said: "Findings (from the forthcoming survey) have indicated that almost 50% of players have at some point suffered direct financial loss through injury.
"Whilst the injury scheme in place within Gaelic games merits commendation as a collective scheme when compared with other codes, the UCD survey clearly indicates that inter-county players are at a very high risk of sustaining financial loss.
"Taking into consideration the collective financial contribution the inter-county playing body makes to the association, there is no justification for their suffering in this manner.
"It is grossly unfair that an inter-county player should find themselves at a significant loss through an injury sustained playing Gaelic football or hurling.
"The role of the player must be reviewed within the context of the modern GAA environment if a sustainable positive relationship between the playing body and official units of the association is to be maintained moving forward.
"Whilst the GAA have moved fast to protect their own commercial interests through the imposition of rule changes, it is apparent that the less glamorous issue of insurance and loss of earnings requires meaningful reappraisal at central level."
