Call for clubs to adopt 'good housekeeping'

GAA news

Kevin Óg Carney

“Under current Level 5 Covid-19 Restrictions, the GAA’s players’ injury scheme has been paused and, as such, no player in county Cavan or elsewhere is currently covered under the scheme.”

Cavan GAA Insurance Officer Thomas Brady’s stark message this week is likely to have a lot of local players and clubs having a re-think about their penchant these days for risk-taking.

As anecdotal evidence emerges countywide of club grounds being left accessible and registered members and non-members alike using club facilities in opposition to GAA directives, the importance of clubs having all their insurance boxes ticked is something Brady is razor keen to address.

The Munterconnacht clubman’s determination to increase awareness among members of the GAA in Cavan comes on the back of figures published by Croke Park which show that despite reduced on-field activities in 2020 due to the coronavirus, insurance claims lodged against the GAA nationally last year exceeded the amount of claims lodged in 2019 when Covid-19 was non-existent.

“The GAA players’ injury scheme doesn’t cover players going out for a run, either on their own or with a pal(s) and nor does it cover them going to the gym etc,” Brady warns.

“The scheme has worked well but it is not an insurance policy. It never was. It only covers a player who becomes injured in the course of a match or an official training session. So with neither matches nor official training going on, the players’ injury scheme is not in operation right now.”

Having suffered three cruciate ligament injuries during his career with Munterconnacht, Brady has arguably a better appreciation than most for the ill-fortune which can befall players over the course of their careers.

“Players are likely to get injured at some stage in their careers and the players’ injury scheme is a topic which is becoming more and more prevalent.

“It’s important though that if a player has personal health insurance, then that’s the first route they should take because the GAA players injury scheme only covers non-recoverable expenses.”

Brady was a tigerish corner back in his pomp and featured in three Cavan JFC finals during his time with the Munchies. Sadly for him, he lost out on each occasion to Swanlinbar (2006 and 2010) and to Shercock (2011).

The 36-year old insurance professional hung up his boots in 2015 and, following a number of years looking after insurance matters with his home club, stepped up the administrator ladder in 2020, when he was elected unopposed to replace Hugh Reilly (Cavan Gaels) as County Insurance Officer.

Croke Park’s decision earlier this year to press pause, for the duration of 2021, on the issue of loss of earnings under the players’ injury scheme was something which perturbed the Munterconnacht gael and with the backing of the Cavan County Board, he lobbied Croker to re-consider the suspension of the standard payment of 300 euro per week (for a maximum of 26 weeks).

“Croke Park released the news in December last and a lot of counties, along with ourselves, lobbied against the pause and they (Croke Park) say they will re-visit the issue in 2022,” Brady explains.

“It’s (loss of earnings issue) still in-the-cooking in Croke Park but I would be optimistic that they’ll turn around their decision. You can just imagine how much a player would be affected if they hadn’t personal health insurance and couldn’t get satisfaction from the GAA, as regards, a loss of earnings.”

Aside from the issue of player insurance, the Cavan County Board officer is keen to emphasise the need for all clubs in the Breffni county to have all their insurance boxes ticked.

There is a vital need, Brady adds, for all clubs in Cavan to make sure that their insurance policies are in order.

“One of the most important insurance matters for clubs to get to grips with is their public liability on grounds and walkways.

“The highest incident of claims lodged against GAA units arise as a result of slips, trips and falls.

“Clubs, as property owners, have a legal duty of care to take all reasonable precautions to minimise the risk of injury to anyone who enters their premises or uses their facilities.

“In the event of someone suffering an injury and decides to sue any club for compensation, the injured party has to prove the club was negligent and the club always needs to be in a position to challenge any allegations.

“Health and safety is simple stuff, especially around walkways. We’re talking here about obstacles being left in the way such as corner posts, concrete blocks, potholes on walkways and also for example, ladders left lying against walls that might tempt children to climb and barbed wire fencing should be removed from all grounds.

“It’s really about good housekeeping in order to minimise any potential claim which can occur.”

The need for GAA clubs to have one person specifically charged with looking after insurance matters in their club is something that is close to Brady’s heart as well.

“A club might not have a specific insurance officer in place but, as a county board, we have always recommended that be the case. There’s a lot in it. The liability of the grounds, the property, the players’ injury fund, insurance for fundraisers. It’s a large portfolio to expect the likes of the chairperson or secretary to take on along with their own roles.

“Clubs are still finding the funds to take on all sorts of construction work at their grounds and so it’s crucial that they put together all the information that Croke Park requires before they begin their extension or whatever and, here, we’re talking about the likes of insurance for the main contractor, insurance to indemnify Croke Park, an all-risk policy for the contractor while he is working at the club and so on.

“Croke Park won’t give the green light for construction work to go ahead until they are satisfied that they have all the insurance documents that they require.

Clubs need to ensure that all their proposed building work is adequately detailed and noted.

“As regards planned events a club may have in mind, I would ask them to notify me so I can notify Croke Park and once they have agreed to cover the event, the club will have peace of mind.

“Obviously, when it comes to the likes of fireworks and bouncing castles, they are automatically excluded on the GAA’s insurance policy under a list of exclusions. Clubs would be wise to refer to the list of exclusions before taking even a few steps towards planning something that won’t ever get insured by Croke Park.

“I would advise clubs not to take any risks with insurance. Good housekeeping is key to minimising problems which can occur. Keep an eye on your buildings and facilities on an ongoing basis and keep the communication lines open with your county board or Croke Park.”