The GAA has a “huge challenge” ahead of it if it is to provide men and women with equal access to club facilities. 

Last week, Minister for Sport Thomas Byrne warned clubs not to expect State funding unless men and women enjoyed equality of access to pitches and changing rooms. 

Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast, TUS Athlone’s Head of Department of Sports and Health Sciences Aoife Lane said there is ‘definitely merit’ in having a conversation about the issue. 

“In Gaelic games, we have to admit we’re blessed with good facilities around the country - with the exception of some urban areas,” she said. 

“Drive around any community in Ireland and there’s pitches, there’s changing rooms, sometimes there’s even gyms and halls. 

“So, at a minimum, I think we need an equal access policy that ensures everybody, boys and girls, men and women, are getting access to these facilities.” 

Ms Lane said it is “half embarrassing” that many club facilities around the country still do not cater to women on an equal basis with men. 

She also urged the GAA to think about doing basic things well - such as keeping facilities clean. 

“Again, bringing it back to minimum standards, we just have to look at toilets,” she said. 

“We have to look at making sure they’re open and available, they’re clean, they have toilet rolls, they have some sort of disposable bin for sanitary products. 

“I would say, if we did an audit of those things now, we’d be really, really disappointed in ourselves.” 

'Hop in the car and go home'

Ms Lane said the changing rooms of many clubs still have a “default male design” but she was aware that many young people simply prefer to change at home anyway. 

“Do they have showers at home? Is there a difference across males and females?” she said. 

“Post-COVID, I’m aware that a lot of people just hop in the car and go home for a shower.

“There’s probably a difference between grassroots and intercounty as well, I would say; I would say all intercounty players probably do stay and use the facilities.” 

Pairc Uí Chaoimh GAA Stadium. Picture by: Alamy.com

Ms Lane said the “whole environment is very gendered” and said Gaelic games needs to change its mindset towards women. 

“Definitely, I think it has been default male for a long time,” she said. 

“Even if we have pockets of really good things happening - I keep a close eye on it - and every county or club are doing one or two things but we have to bring all that together and that collective change. 

“I think it’s going to be a huge challenge.” 

The National Sports Policy set out a target of equal participation of men and women in sport by 2027.

Main image: Women playing camogie. Picture by: Alamy.com