GAA discussing major new pay rule that could turn sport upside down

Is it finally happening?

The GAA are reportedly discussing a major change to the amateur nature of the sport.

Currently, coaches and players are not paid in the GAA, and are instead volunteers, but the Irish Independent are reporting that paying inter-county GAA managers a salary is now a discussion point.

In a recent survey, which ran on the GAA website in June and July, participants were asked whether they feel inter-county managers should be paid in “a manner consistent with that of an employee of the Association.” 

They were also asked whether backroom staff should be paid for their professional services, allowing participants to choose between options including doctors, physios, selectors, coaches, masseurs, video analysts, data/stats analysts, performance analysts, strength and condition coaches, nutritionists, psychologists, liaison officers, logistics people and kitmen. 

The recommendations from this survey will go before Special Congress.

In December, Jim Gavin poured cold water on the idea, saying: "I'd find it very difficult to stand in front of any team if they weren't being paid too."

GAA chairman Jarlath Burns, who launched the survey, recently said: “I know of no one in the GAA who feels that our amateur status is something to be abolished. 

“Yet within that, we have a situation where the preparation of inter-county teams is costing more than €40m [annually] and placing unsustainable burdens on our volunteer-led county boards, and the time demands on players are also at an all-time high.”

GAA also trialling new rules

It is becoming a season of change for the GAA, who are also trialling new football rules having introduced the two-point arc for 2025.

In a recent sandbox match in Abbotstown, teams tried out the four-point goal rule, the back-forth rule, new hooter rules and a new hand-pass restrictions rule.

The new hand-pass rule would see players penalised for two consecutive hand passes, meaning they must produce a kick pass after every hand pass.

Several of the new rules were received positively by fans and spectators at the sandbox game, with the acceptance that some will need ironing out or could not work at intermediate and club level.