THE GAELIC PLAYERS Association today launched their annual report for 2014 and outlined their ambitions for the year ahead.
With rapid increase in engagement by county players with the GPA Development Programme over the past 12 months, the organisation is set to focus even more the personal development of players off the field in 2015.
Indeed, the GPA has outlined ambitious plans to create a world class facility known as The Institute which will support their key activities in careers, education, life skills, leadership, health and well-being.
The report says the facility will either be constructed as a stand-alone centre or co-located on a business, sporting or educational campus.
Building the estimated 2,250 sq meter facility is expected to bring the GPA’s annual expenditure from €3.3 million to €7 million with additional annual capital expenditure of between €8-10 million.
Speaking at the launch, Dessie Farrell, CEO of the GPA said:
“There is more and more evidence to suggest that there is a tangible link between off field development and on field success across a range of sports which is important information for everyone involved in our games.
“Our ambition in the GPA is to have one of the best Player Development Programmes in the world so that county players, who are commercially harnessed for the wider benefit of the GAA, are properly supported with their off-field careers.
“To make that a reality it requires us to think differently about player development and to invest heavily in it ensuring that more and more players transition from the county game prepared for life after.
“It is also imperative that the county game continues to prosper and maintains its pre-eminence on the sporting calendar.”
Originally published at 13.30
