News

A Chairde,

I would like to provide you with an update on recent discussions held with the Gaelic Park Committee regarding the possibility of playing at Gaelic Park next season. Members of the Gaelic Games Victoria (GGV) committee met with Gaelic Park representatives on a number of occasions in October and November to discuss a possible arrangement for the return of the games to Gaelic Park. The meetings were positive and constructive. The final meeting concluded with GGV tabling what we considered to be a reasonable, workable offer to Gaelic Park, based on five principles:

1. A gate of $10 being taken by Gaelic Park from every adult who attends match day. Once GGV’s base costs of running a game day are covered out of the total gate (refs, physios etc); everything else commercially (bar, kitchen, on-site rental, signage etc) is retained by and goes to Gaelic Park.
   
2. Subject only to Gaelic Park’s availability, GGV’s first preference and commitment is to 80% of games being held in Gaelic Park, including all finals.
   
3. Points 1 and 2 above are general principles, fine details to be worked out and formally signed by the parties in advance of playing season 2022.
   
4. On reaching agreement on points 1-3, the parties look, at the end of playing season 2022 or sooner, to enter into a longer-term agreement for the playing of games at Gaelic Park e.g., 20-year deal, terms of which are revisited by the parties every 3 years.
   
5. Once a 2022 agreement is reached and formally signed, a motion to be put to GGV that, if officially asked by Gaelic Park, GGV to assist Gaelic Park in accessing infrastructural grants to the exclusive benefit of Gaelic Park e.g., https://sport.vic.gov.au/grants-and-funding/ourgrants/local-sports-infrastructure-fund

The Gaelic Park committee recently met to discuss this offer but unfortunately voted against it. As a result, games will not be played in Gaelic Park for the 2022 season. We know that the overwhelming majority of our players (as do the GGV Committee) would like return to play in Gaelic Park. The GGV committee was very hopeful this would occur and, although not successful on this occasion, the GGV committee remains committed to keeping dialogue open with Gaelic Park to explore the possibility of a return in 2023.

We look forward to seeing you all return to play in the new year.

Is mise le meas,

Liam Lenihan

President Gaelic Games Victoria