December 18, 2013
Dear Manager,
I would like to draw your attention to a very important GPA Reps meeting taking place in Croke Park on
Saturday January 11, 2014.
This meeting will detail the range of development programmes and services available to all county players
and how engagement with the GPA can make a meaningful difference to their lives.
The meeting will also focus on planning for the year ahead and the important Players Charter something
which must be signed off by you and the county board before being presented to Croke Park by January 31.
Your support for the attendance of the GPA reps to this meeting is greatly appreciated. The rep is a critical
conduit between the GPA and your squad and the various supports available. To date, squads that are well
organised with active reps engage most with our services and are achieving particularly good outcomes.
Achieving a good sport/life balance is not only essential to the player’s wellbeing but research has shown
that it can have a very positive impact on his on-field performances.
GPA Programmes are available in education, health and wellbeing, personal development and career
development. However, the GPA takes a holistic view to the individual development of the player and while
there is a comprehensive list of services available to players, engaging in personal coaching is encouraged
particularly for those players striving to develop a career plan to ensure a good quality of life.
On a practical level, the GPA is currently carrying out on-site squad cardiac screening and the fitting of
custom mouth guards for footballers, compulsory for all players from January 1.
We also provide media training for players and can help advise players about prudent engagement and
reputation management.
These supports are also available free of charge to county managers and if you would like to access a
programme or learn more about how you or any of your players can benefit from engagement with the please
don't hesitate to contact our Player Development Manager Siobhan Earley at 0868386100 or
siobhan@gaelicplayers.com.
Included in the January 11 briefing for our reps will be an outline of our internal mental health campaign
being conducted in 2014 to encourage players suffering distress in the lives to reach out for support and to
educate our members about detecting the signs of distress in their colleagues.
The GPA has a confidential member line open to county players 24/7 365 days a year and a nationwide team
of counsellors to support players in distress.
Our National Development Officers, Dara McGarty and Tomás Colton will shortly be embarking on a series
of nationwide visit to squads and it would be great if you could meet with them briefly so you can discuss
any player related issues you feel might be of interest or concern to the GPA. We hope you see the players’
body as an important resource to you and your players throughout the year.
Have a great Christmas and we wish you every success for 2014.
GPA National Development Officers:
Leinster, Connacht
Munster, Ulster, Britain
Dara McGarty 086 8337405
dara@gaelicplayers.com
Tomás Colton 086 7918231
tomas@gaelicplayers.com
GPA Player Development:
Siobhan Earley
0868386100 or siobhan@gaelicplayers.com
GPA Communications:
Seán Potts
Kind regards,
Dessie Farrell, CEO
0863971859 or press@gaelicplayers.com