Grants for female GAA players finally being made equal to what their male counterparts receive has been described as “very positive news” by a Galway senator.
This week, the Minister for Sport, Jack Chambers, announced the equalisation of the grants. Until now, the grant received by female players had been worth just one third of the grant given to male players.
Fianna Fáil Galway senator Ollie Crowe [pictured below] welcomed the news, but said it needs to be the start of a much greater level of “equality of treatment” between women and men’s GAA.
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“Equality of investment and recognition that the efforts of female players are as valued as their male counterparts must be a fundamental point of Government funding,” he said. “This week’s announcement is very positive news, but there is still much work to be done.”
'More coverage will result in more interest and more interest will result in more coverage'
Sen Crowe noted the “substantial growth” in both participation and public interest in ladies football and Camogie. In recent years crowds had increased from 20,000 to 60,000 for the women’s All-Ireland football finals, while 25,000 saw Galway lift the O’Duffy Cup in the 2019 camogie decider.
“It is important for any woman who wants to play for her county that she gets that equality of treatment when it comes to State funding,” he said, “and that the Government continues to promote participation.”
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He said the Government, the media, and the GAA all have a role to play in the furtherance of the women’s game.
“We need to do more to highlight female sport,” he said. “Currently it makes up about 10 per cent of broadcasting coverage and that needs to be addressed. More coverage will result in more interest and more interest will result in more coverage. We also need to significantly raise the standard of facilities available for female sport.”
