The Gaelic Players Association spends 97% of its revenue directly on player welfare and player development programmes, according to its annual report issued this morning, while the body is seeking more representation across the Gaelic games world.
The GPA AGM was held on Monday night with a motion for “formal, structured player representation on all key decision-making bodies affecting inter-county players within integrated GAA structures such as Central Council, provincial councils and county boards” passed.
GPA chief executive Tom Parsons told RTÉ Sport: “It’s very positive that 97% of revenue goes straight to supporting players. And what really stood out last night was players calling for greater player voice in the governance structures. Currently the GPA has a seat in central council.
“But when you look at provincial structures, county boards, the LGFA, the Camogie Association, there’s not enough player representation. And I think that was a call, not just for Irish sport, but globally we’re seeing more athletes involved in the governance and the decisions made for our sport.
“The athlete’s voice is really important to decisions made for our games, whether that is competition structures, decisions in policy. It’s really important now for good governance that the athletes are represented at all these committees and boards and decision-making bodies.
“I think currently you see the value of the GPA and the governance structures of the GAA. Any decisions made impact athletes and impact players.
“And the GPA is very active in its current seats and committees and boards, but we need to expand that to see it more embedded in provincial councils and even county boards and the wider Gaelic games family.”
A total of €4.35 million was spent in player welfare and development including programmes like personal development coaching, career development programmes and educational supports in 2025.
A further €3m in annual grant funding was provided from Sport Ireland via the GAA. The GPA is responsible for ensuring that such government funding is paid to GAA inter-county players.
The total revenue of the organisation of €7.6m was up by 1% compared to the previous year due to government grants increasing by 5%, offset by GAA core funding decrease of 6%. The GAA funding to the GPA amounted to €2.98m, down from €3.17m the previous year.
The body reported an operating pre-tax loss of €59,401 and post-tax loss of €65,881.
The GPA has a total of 10 full-time employees. They also have 18 fixed-term contracted employees which deliver the Ahead of the Game (Movember) programme.
The costs around those staff are recharged to the GAA due to the GAA being recipient of the programme funding from Movember, a global mental health charity.
Remuneration for the GPA’s key management personnel amounted to €250,181, down from €268,317 in 2024.
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