Camogie Association Welcomes €1m Government Funding Announcement
The Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan TD, today announced a two-year agreement, commencing in 2017, to provide support for Inter-County Camogie and Ladies Football 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 Camogie Association, the Ladies Gaelic Football Association (LGFA and the Women’s Gaelic Players Association (WGPA).
A Steering Group comprising of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Sport Ireland, the Camogie Association, the LGFA and the WGPA 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.
Catherine Neary, President of the Camogie Association said: “I warmly welcome this significant Government funding of €1m over two years towards supporting women in Gaelic games at the highest levels. 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.
Our inter-county Camogie players showcase the game at its best through their own dedication and with the support of their clubs and county boards. These funds will positively impact on clubs and communities throughout the country through the reach and profile of the players locally and nationally. The Government and the Minister’s commitment to make available these new monies, at a time when participation, interest and standards of Camogie were never higher, is a significant milestone for Camogie and a strong vote of confident in its future development. I would like to thank the Minister, the Government, Departmental officials, Sport Ireland and my colleagues in the LGFA and WGPA for their collaboration and co-operation in this step forward for women in sport”.
Minister O’Donovan said “I want to take this opportunity to recognise the valuable contribution that our Inter-County Ladies Football and Camogie Players make to Gaelic games. Their success is important, not just at a sporting level, but also on the ground level where they inspire young women to become involved in ladies football or Camogie, and stay involved throughout school and into their adult life.”
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”.
Kieran Mulvey, Chairperson of Sport Ireland commented: “Government support for inter-county Ladies Gaelic Football and the Camogie Association players, distributed through Sport Ireland, is an indicator of the recognition that exists at national level for the unique contribution the players make as the leading exponents of our indigenous national games, the contribution that players make to the economic and social fabric of the nation and their commitment to play the game at highest level possible. I would like to acknowledge the Minister, Ladies Gaelic Football Association, the Camogie Association and WGPA in supporting the scheme.”
