News
16th November 09
11/16/2009
Ulster Unionist MLA, Tom Elliott, has said that there needs to be more equality and balance when it comes to the distribution of funding to GAA and soccer clubs across Northern Ireland.
Ulster Unionist MLA, Tom Elliott, has said that there needs to be more equality and balance when it comes to the distribution of funding to GAA and soccer clubs across Northern Ireland. He was speaking after figures released to him by the Department for Culture, Arts and Leisure showed that since 2004 the GAA has received almost three million pounds more in funding than soccer.
In a statement, the Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA said: "The figures I received show that there is a large gap in funding terms between GAA clubs and soccer clubs in Northern Ireland. Since 2004 the Ulster Council of the GAA and GAA clubs have received £19,911,475. By comparison, the Irish Football Association and soccer clubs have received £17,150,044. Overall GAA funding has increased from £514,170 in 2004/05 to in 2008/09 £7,924,669, an increase of almost 16 fold in four years."
"Taking everything into account, I feel there is a real need to work towards balancing the amounts given to both sports. The GAA is an organisation which has a strong Irish nationalist ethos and attracts very few players from outside the Roman Catholic community. Indeed, for many years members of the security forces including myself were banned by the GAA from participating in its organisation. Thankfully this law of the game has now changed, but its removal was opposed by a number of the counties in Northern Ireland highlighting the need that exists for the attitude among some GAA representatives in this country to move forward similar to their counterparts in the Republic."
"Along with this we have the GAA clubs and grounds named after Republican terrorists and sickening displays like we witnessed at Galbally."
"Soccer is a very community orientated sport which is played by people across Northern Ireland regardless of religious or political opinion. It is true to say that both organisations and their clubs help to promote some wonderful qualities including team work, keeping fit and community spirit. However, it is extremely difficult to see how higher levels of funding for the GAA are justifiable given its limited appeal when you compare the two sports."
"I would call upon the Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure, Nelson McCausland, to look into this issue as soon as possible and work to ensure equality between the sport clubs and their governing bodies in terms of the money they receive."
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