The Minister of State for Sport, Patrick O’Donovan has announced a two-year agreement, commencing in 2017, to provide support for Inter-County Ladies Football and Camogie Players.
Minister O’Donovan announced that he will be providing funding of €500,000 in 2017 and 2018, through Sport Ireland, to support programmes included in a joint proposal by the Women’s Gaelic Players Association (WGPA), the Camogie Association and the Ladies Gaelic Football Association (LGFA).
A Steering Group comprising of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Sport Ireland, the WGPA, the Camogie Association and the LGFA has been established to agree the details of the two-year funding programme. The Steering Group is currently establishing the logistical and administrative arrangements that will underpin the two-year agreement and the disbursement of the funding of €500,000 for each of the two years. The financial support will be aimed towards programmes such as injury prevention and medical cover; maximising player and team performance: and access to training facilities.
Minister O’Donovan emphasised the positivity of the two-year agreement, saying that “the funding allocation shows the confidence held by the Government in the success of our Inter-County Ladies Football and Camogie Players, and that it recognises the role of the teams, the volunteers and the supporters in forming strong community spirit throughout the country”.
Delighted to allocate €1m for women's Gaelic Games today @OfficialCamogie @WomensGPA @sportireland @officialgaa pic.twitter.com/tNGFN9nPwH
— Patrick O'Donovan (@podonovan) June 15, 2016
Catherine Neary, President of the Camogie Association said: “This funding is a very strong affirmation and recognition of the commitment by inter-county Camogie and football players in pursuit of high athletic standards. It is also a recognition of the additional financial support needed so that women Gaelic games’ players and teams can benefit from the appropriate specialist supports and expertise that is available and required to maximise team performance at representative levels."
Marie Hickey, President of the Ladies Gaelic Football Association, said “ It is further recognition that our Gaelic games players are amongst the most elite athletes in the country. The funding will help to facilitate our counties and our players to continue to strive to perform to the best of their abilities. Ladies Gaelic Football has made significant strides in recent years in terms of playing numbers and match attendances and we believe that, with the support announced from the Minister and Sport Ireland, we will be able to continue to blaze a trail for women’s sport in this country.”
Aoife Lane, Chairperson of the WGPA said: “Many of the constraints at county level are related to funding so this investment from the Government is a very welcome development for the WGPA and all associated with ladies football and Camogie. This funding will support administrators, managers and players and is a fantastic collaboration between the Camogie Association, Ladies Gaelic Football Association, Sport Ireland, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and ourselves in the WGPA.”
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