Integration will require huge government support - Prenty

MAJOR government funding will be required if proposed integration between the GAA, LGFA and Camogie Association is to succeed. That was the stark message delivered by Connacht GAA CEO John Prenty this week when asked about the challenges merging the three associations will throw up.

“It's going to be a huge problem – have no doubt about that. If you go into any of our clubs today and go to our dressingrooms we have no facilities suitable.

“When the ladies are part of the association and rightly expect the same facilities as men, we have no toilet or shower facilities that I know of in a club setting that properly accommodates 20 girls. We just don't have it. They won't accept the current facilities and they'll be right,” Prenty stated before saying the sporting associations need state assistance to make it work.

“The government have a huge responsibility to fund our association in a way that will accommodate integration. We won't be able to manage without major help from the state. Club facilities are far from suitable and we cannot hide from that fact.

“This place here (Connacht Centre of Excellence) is grand. We probably have an even split of men and women, boys and girls through here every week, but we're unique. There's no other place like this.”

BARCELONA VISIT

MEANWHILE, Prenty revealed that Spanish soccer giants Barcelona were in Bekan to check out the Air Dome and get some tips as they looked to revamp their training facilities.

The Connacht GAA Centre boasts five full-size grass pitches and a full-size outdoor artificial pitch.

But the jewel in the crown is the €3 million Air Dome, which was the world’s largest such structure when it was completed in 2020. Prenty told reporters at the Connacht Championship launch in Bekan that people of all ages are coming from far and near to make use of it.

“Since the day we opened we've been mad busy with clubs and schools from all over Connacht making great use of it. Now, we have people coming from all over. For example, last Saturday, Ederny from Fermanagh came here and hosted a blitz. They had 188 kids from Armagh, Tyrone, Donegal and Fermanagh taking part and when they left Pettigo from Donegal came in and played Kilmovee in a challenge and when they were gone two other teams came in.

“We had four thousand active hours here last year. The place is buzzing,” the provincial chief added.