Integration steering group to reach out to counties

THE Steering Group on Integration (SGI) of the Camogie Association, the Gaelic Athletic Association, and the Ladies Gaelic Football Association will seek submissions from every county board across all three Associations as part of its on-going engagement and listening process.

The SGI, chaired by Iar-Uachtarán na hÉireann, Mary McAleese, will also conduct formal meetings with a number of county boards from across the three Associations.

Starting in early May, this next major phase of the listening process will build on the encouraging progress which has been reported by the SGI to date.

“The SGI has reported positive levels of engagement and feedback from meetings held to date with existing One Clubs, Provincial Councils, Ard Comhairles, and also representatives of players from all three Associations,” read a statement issued on their behalf.

President McAleese was “encouraged” by the reception when addressing – via video link – to the annual congress of the GAA and the LGFA and will speak at the upcoming Camogie Association congress.

“Workshops were also held at the congresses, and they provided very useful insights on the ‘how’ of integration,” the statement continued.

“The discussions which have taken place have helped identify challenges on the path to integration. However, they have also made clear the overwhelming benefits of the move towards integration.

“The issue of equality has been prominent in the discussions to date and so too, has the potential commercial benefit for Gaelic games being represented as an integrated body that can maximise benefits and opportunities for all of its members.

“The SGI is made up of the three Uachtaráins (Hilda Breslin CA, Larry McCarthy GAA and Mícheál Naughton LGFA), the three Ard Stiúrthóirí (Sinéad McNulty CA, Tom Ryan GAA and Helen O Rourke LGFA), Mary McAleese as Chair and project managed by Mark Dorman.”