In attendance at the GAA Annual Report launch are, from left, GAA director of finance Ger Mulryan, Ard Stiúrthóir of the GAA Tom Ryan, Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael Larry McCarthy and Croke Park Stadium Director Peter McKenna at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile.
By John Harrington
The GAA reported a healthy consolidated revenue of €112M in 2023 with a consolidated surplus of €6.5M.
Gate receipts of €38.5M – an increase of 15% on 2022 – played a big role in these robust financial figures.
The increase in gate receipts was generated by a 22% increase in inter-county attendance figures with 1,697,778 spectators coming through the stiles.
For every euro generated by the GAA, 83 cents was reinvested directly into the development of the Association across clubs, schools, counties, and provinces.
€13.2M was invested in Coaching and Games Development in 2023, which was a year-on-year increase of €2.5m.
That’s the net effect of Year 1 of the newly launched Coaching and Games programme which will see an investment of €48M over four years with 350 coaches now employed nationwide to assist clubs.
Distribution to GAA units was €19.7M, an increase of 3m on 2022.
€7.2M was invested in Player Welfare while €8.5M was invested in the redevelopment of 25 County Grounds and training centres.
€4M went to clubs to assist them in redeveloping their pitches, club-houses and facilities while €5.3M went to club supports and sister Associations.
Spending on the Association’s International unites and their games development programmes increased from €1.4M to €1.8M.
The GAA’s Injury Benefit Fund recorded a surplus of €3M for 2023 and is ringfenced and can only be used to support injury costs for injuries incurred during matches and supervised training.
As part of the injury funds ongoing management, Coiste Bainistíochta has given approval for a premium rebate of up to 25 per cent per club in 2024 which will see club premiums reduce by over €1.3m next year.
The ‘Player Injury Expense’ threshold will increase from €5,200 to €5,500 and the ‘Loss of Wages cover levels increase for all players by €100 per week.
These adjustments will become effective from June 1, 2024, and are expected to reallocate up to €2M from the injury fund reserve.
GAA Ard Stiúrthóir Tom Ryan’s Annual Report and the GAA’s Consolidated Financial Statements for 2023 can be read here - 14742 GAA Annual Report digital (fliphtml5.com)