Lure of Aussie Rules career just got a lot more attractive for Cork's best female players

IT is three years since a WGPA report entitled ‘

Levelling the Field

’ revealed the startling truth about the cost of being a modern-day female Irish inter-county footballer or camogie player.

That report explained how female players trained on average, five or six days a week. 74% of those surveyed admitted that they were so tired from the mental demands that they struggled with work or study. 

Additional percentages garnered from the ‘ Levelling the Field’ report didn’t hold out much hope of a short or medium-term solution either.

At the time, 77% of female inter-county players paid towards their own physio costs, 69% paid towards gym fees and 55% paid for their own medical treatments.

Fast forward three years and there have been some welcome changes including a GAA/GPA agreement on increasing the national rate for players' mileage to 70 cent per mile. 

When the 7,000-mile cap is reached, players can claim at a reduced 40-cent rate for any further travel expenses. 

Also, a weekly players nutritional rate, in certain circumstances, has also been increased.

Yet in a recent Irish Examiner interview with Eoghan Cormican, departing Cork camogie manager Matthew Twomey explained how each 2023 All-Ireland winning panellist put €500 of their own raised monies into a player fund ‘to cover gear and other bits and pieces’.

Each of Cork’s All-Ireland Camogie-winning players had to go to local businesses and ask for that additional money, on top of what their county board was able to provide, to cover the additional costs needed to compete for provincial and national titles. 

“The county board did give what they could give, but the players wanted more. My answer to that was if you want more, you have to get the money because there is nothing there,” Twomey said.

So, as we enter the final months of the year, what’s clear is that, and not alone in Cork, the cost of being a modern-day inter-county LGFA or Camogie player remains an ongoing issue. 

That’s why current LGFA and camogie players could be forgiven for glancing longingly at recent headlines emanating from Down Under.

The AFLW (Australian Football Women’s League) took a giant leap towards equality and proper remuneration for their male and female players with a landmark joint CBA (collective bargaining agreement) announcement.

At its most basic, the agreed CBA for both the AFL (men) and AFLW (women) professional leagues means a substantial increase in salary and longer playing contracts.

HIGH-FLYING

A record number of 33 Irish players are currently under contract and playing in the AFLW. Former Cork senior Erika O’Shea is one of three Irish representatives with the high-flying North Melbourne Kangaroos. 

Ailish Considine and Niamh Martin are the two other Irish Kangaroos.

So, for each of the 33 Irish players currently in the AFLW, their average salary, if re-signed, will increase from $46,000 to $82,000 before the end of the current CBA. 

That’s a staggering 77% improvement even though the (male) AFL player’s average salary is currently far higher, starting at an average of $387,000.

Add to that, AFLW players will now be able to sign 12-month and potential multi-year contracts instead of the current short-term agreements used by most Irish imports.

The new CBA also means the AFLW season will increase to 14 regular season rounds of matches, hardly a drawback considering the sport’s increasing popularity. 

A new 12-month pregnancy policy along with increased investment into player support and welfare have also been introduced.

What this joint collective bargaining agreement shows is the AFLW is serious about treating female players properly and paying them a wage commensurate with their skills.

What this also shows is the value Aussie Rules franchises place on their most valuable commodity, its players.

From an Irish point of view, the possibility of signing improved 12-month or multi-year contracts will be hugely desirable. 

Also, being paid an increased salary, including additional benefits, and becoming a professional sportsperson means the AFLW doesn’t require much selling to potential suitors.

Yes, it means moving to the other side of the globe, but the Australian lifestyle, climate and professional sports environment looks certain to attract an increased number of Irish players.