The medium-term strategic plan for the Gaelic games organisation is aimed at guiding the post-integration phase. The goal of “One Association for All Gaelic Games built on Equality” has been achieved. The new entity’s work processes and structures provide equal support to male and female members, across all units, including players, administrators, coaches, leaders, and officials.
A funding model has been put in place to prioritize investment in Gaelic games played by girls and women. Clubs and counties have been given dedicated financial support to promote integration, through additional or new funding streams. The governance structures of Gaelic games are fully inclusive to women with a quota approach in place to ensure representation. It is monitored and evaluated biennially to dispel the misconception that unqualified women are taking jobs, money, or fields away from men.
The future looks bright for Gaelic games as a cultural shift towards core principles and values aims to culminate in the summer of ’28. Achieving this is a realistic and attainable obligation for everyone involved in integration in Gaelic games. The key principles to guide this journey are equality, leadership, strategy, and communication.
To achieve this, evidence-based decisions must be made over the next five years, guided by knowledge of gender equality and inclusive practices. Ladies’ football, camogie, and men’s Gaelic games will have different needs, and lessons can be learned from what has worked well, and not so well, in other sports.
Development in Gaelic games is unique, involving three associations, and has implications for multiple sports. Gaelic games hold a significant position in communities across two jurisdictions and enjoy pride in their history and cultural heritage. The Ladies’ Gaelic Football Association marked 50 years in 2022, showing how much women’s roles have changed in Ireland. The Citizens Assembly on Gender Equality has called for affirmative action to ensure institutions, including sporting organizations, represent Irish society.
Integration in Gaelic games is a long-standing issue, dating back to 1971 when the GAA was advised to enhance cooperation with the Camogie Association. In 2020, the Gaelic Players Association voted to form one association for its members, based on equality. There have been incremental improvements, but moving forward, real and meaningful change is required to ensure lasting cultural change that will underpin equality in Gaelic games.
The policy brief on integration in Gaelic Games, co-authored by Conor Meyler, PhD researcher at Technological University of the Shannon (TUS), Dr Aoife Lane, TUS, and Dr Katie Liston, Ulster University, provides insight into the issues at stake and how everyone can play a role in the future of Gaelic games. All those involved in the Gaelic games family can work together to build One Association for All Gaelic Games built on Equality.
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