National Forum

GAA To Start Charging Children Who Attend League Games

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Replying To Square_B:  "The bottom line is that the GAA don't trust that cash will make it's way back to HQ.... the days of the 'biscuit tin' at national level are gone. I'd agree that at least card should be taken at the gate but that would mean having to put professional structures in place for an amateur organisation. That would be good craic knowing some of the bucks I see standing at turnstiles.... Right or wrong, it's best let Ticketmaster sort all that out with less hassle."
Without the volunteer "bucks" as you call them standing at the gates, the games wouldn't happen. Respect is easy carried lad.

ORIELMAN85 (Monaghan) - Posts: 404 - 16/12/2024 02:21:19    2583702

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Replying To Pikeman96:  "He asked about cash. I gave an answer about cash. Paying by card would be a different thing.

But the issue would remain that if 90% or more of people just paid at the gate (by either cash or card), then the venue control team don't know with any great accuracy what the likely attendance will be. Say there's a match at Wexford Park which could draw somewhere from 6,000 to 10,000 people. There's a big difference in what's needed from an event control point of view, in terms of the number of turnstiles you'd have to open, the number of gate people that would therefore be needed, the number of stewards required, etc. Even whether or not you open the shop at the 'open' side of the ground opposite the main stand, and need people to run it for the day.

These are all important considerations. They don't occur to most supporters, but that doesn't make them any less important."
Yes - important considerations alright. But let's consider that I can buy a ticket for a game outside the ground by logging into Ticketmaster and spending 5 minutes proving myself not up be a robot. Not that many robots would want to see Kildare hurling.

I get the move to all ticket - that has been shown to significantly increase the takings for the same attendance. I get that buying a ticket during the week helps know the crowd size and that the ticket can be more expensive on the day to encourage buying easier.

I don't agree that the crowd size would be so unknown so as to prevent ticket sales on the day. I also don't agree that charging kids admission to the league games is a good idea.

We have to remember that the GAA is a community organization built on thousands of hours of community volunteers every week. Every decision like this weakens that goodwill every so slightly.

brianb (Kildare) - Posts: 370 - 16/12/2024 09:36:02    2583711

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Replying To ORIELMAN85:  "Without the volunteer "bucks" as you call them standing at the gates, the games wouldn't happen. Respect is easy carried lad."
I've been long enough involved in the GAA to know that not everyone's intentions within the GAA is honourable so I give my respect where it's deserved thanks very much.

Square_B (Leitrim) - Posts: 1057 - 16/12/2024 10:54:27    2583720

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"Not that many robots would want to see Kildare hurling."

If there is quote of the year competition., that's my nomination.

You are right, lots of these things that threaten the foundations are being peddled as efficiency and financial good sense. The GAA was founded on neither. None of what Cusack and others or what the language movement, or the Irish trade unions, nationalist newspapers and co-ops did at the time made sense.

BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 3226 - 16/12/2024 11:03:01    2583721

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One good aspect of these forums is that the negative begrudging whingers get to air their many many grievances and possibly their wives, mothers, children don't have to listen to their latest conspiracy nonsense. Some drivel spouted here by the usual suspects. Not a fear they're volunteers

Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 1948 - 16/12/2024 12:19:16    2583728

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Replying To Square_B:  "I've been long enough involved in the GAA to know that not everyone's intentions within the GAA is honourable so I give my respect where it's deserved thanks very much."
Look in the mirror then son.

ORIELMAN85 (Monaghan) - Posts: 404 - 16/12/2024 14:55:03    2583752

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Replying To Claretandblue:  "One good aspect of these forums is that the negative begrudging whingers get to air their many many grievances and possibly their wives, mothers, children don't have to listen to their latest conspiracy nonsense. Some drivel spouted here by the usual suspects. Not a fear they're volunteers"
Aint that the truth. There's one character and he has to spout his drivel twice or maybe his "post message" button is stuck. Possible as he is stuck back in the days when bicycles were the transport mode to games. As a long time volunteer,I have never met a volunteer who wasn't doing it for the love of the game. The mouthpieces who whinge on these forums are mostly clowns who consider driving their kids to our low cost "baby sitting" service as volunteering........sure I am a great lad, on the road day and night driving my kids to GAA training.

ORIELMAN85 (Monaghan) - Posts: 404 - 16/12/2024 15:09:37    2583756

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The volunteer, supporter or poster who labels and name calls people for having an opinion is indication of how anarchy can take hold in any organization, work place or sports body. The strength of democracy, decorum, growth, peace and other things we aspire to is in our willingness to listen. Agree or disagree while maintaining a level of civility. Usually when this is missing it is a sign of inability to debate and portray as as the alpha. Nobody falls for this. On this particular subject all opinions have merit.

Canuck (Waterford) - Posts: 2900 - 16/12/2024 15:54:36    2583762

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Replying To ORIELMAN85:  "Look in the mirror then son."
You keep living in that fairytale land you inhabit like a good wee man.

Square_B (Leitrim) - Posts: 1057 - 16/12/2024 16:18:51    2583767

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The Gaa is the most democratic organisation that ever existed so your notions of anarchy are misplaced. To deny that regular posters here are whingers, contrary and conspiracy theorists is just myopia on your part. Thankfully I don't post too often, lads posting 25-30 posts a week here should have a good look at themselves

Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 1948 - 16/12/2024 16:37:03    2583768

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Replying To Canuck:  "The volunteer, supporter or poster who labels and name calls people for having an opinion is indication of how anarchy can take hold in any organization, work place or sports body. The strength of democracy, decorum, growth, peace and other things we aspire to is in our willingness to listen. Agree or disagree while maintaining a level of civility. Usually when this is missing it is a sign of inability to debate and portray as as the alpha. Nobody falls for this. On this particular subject all opinions have merit."
Absolutely, once you see name calling you know the poster has lost the argument and knows it so he resorts to playground tactics, it's in all walks of life and is the refuge of bullies.
We can all hold different opinions and still be respectful of each others opinion on any given subject, sometimes you just have to agree to disagree.

Tirchonaill1 (Donegal) - Posts: 3057 - 16/12/2024 16:54:08    2583771

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Replying To Claretandblue:  "The Gaa is the most democratic organisation that ever existed so your notions of anarchy are misplaced. To deny that regular posters here are whingers, contrary and conspiracy theorists is just myopia on your part. Thankfully I don't post too often, lads posting 25-30 posts a week here should have a good look at themselves"
You completely missed the point. I never accused the GAA of been undemocratic. I cautioned on the unpleasantness of name calling people for their opinions and in the broader context the effect on any organization. To be more specific on this particular subject calling someone a clown and making unsubstantiated observations of their involvement because of an opinion.

Canuck (Waterford) - Posts: 2900 - 16/12/2024 17:04:18    2583774

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A lot of very what I'd call bitter comments on this forum especially in last couple of weeks..there are things I don't agree with in the Gaa but it's still probably most democratic organisation in the country..if I have a problem I'll have agm to voice those opinions..this forum is way more civilised than some of the x and Facebook comments you might come upon.

CTGAA10 (Limerick) - Posts: 2404 - 16/12/2024 17:23:34    2583776

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Replying To CTGAA10:  "A lot of very what I'd call bitter comments on this forum especially in last couple of weeks..there are things I don't agree with in the Gaa but it's still probably most democratic organisation in the country..if I have a problem I'll have agm to voice those opinions..this forum is way more civilised than some of the x and Facebook comments you might come upon."
That's because it's moderated properly.

Tirchonaill1 (Donegal) - Posts: 3057 - 16/12/2024 18:31:47    2583782

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Replying To Tirchonaill1:  "Absolutely, once you see name calling you know the poster has lost the argument and knows it so he resorts to playground tactics, it's in all walks of life and is the refuge of bullies.
We can all hold different opinions and still be respectful of each others opinion on any given subject, sometimes you just have to agree to disagree."
The irony

Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 1948 - 16/12/2024 19:31:10    2583791

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Replying To Tirchonaill1:  "Absolutely, once you see name calling you know the poster has lost the argument and knows it so he resorts to playground tactics, it's in all walks of life and is the refuge of bullies.
We can all hold different opinions and still be respectful of each others opinion on any given subject, sometimes you just have to agree to disagree."
Precisely.

Canuck (Waterford) - Posts: 2900 - 16/12/2024 22:30:31    2583806

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Replying To BrehonBlonde:  "Getting back to the main theme. The last few years it was €30 for Juvenile Season Tickets, even though it was free in for 6 of the 8 league games I attended. So that was a charge €30 instead of €10, a real display of loyalty.

I dislike Ticketmaster with a passion.

But I dislike more the GAA "Volunteer" who always turns up when there is cash present, let it be at a gate, or selling lotto. And he will always be the lucky fella in the All Ireland Ticket draw.

We have all seen video evidence of rigged GAA draws, and it's always the same "Volunteers". They are in every single GAA club in this country. I am sure you can imagine what them boys would be like with no cameras on them."
You're right, I made the same point earlier. Covid showed the GAA that money was going missing when there was cash floating around. We're never going back to paying cash into county and club championship games. Children should still be free though.

Saynothing (Tyrone) - Posts: 2168 - 16/12/2024 23:19:19    2583808

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Replying To Canuck:  "The volunteer, supporter or poster who labels and name calls people for having an opinion is indication of how anarchy can take hold in any organization, work place or sports body. The strength of democracy, decorum, growth, peace and other things we aspire to is in our willingness to listen. Agree or disagree while maintaining a level of civility. Usually when this is missing it is a sign of inability to debate and portray as as the alpha. Nobody falls for this. On this particular subject all opinions have merit."
If the shoe fits,wear it lad.

ORIELMAN85 (Monaghan) - Posts: 404 - 17/12/2024 00:55:10    2583814

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Replying To Square_B:  "You keep living in that fairytale land you inhabit like a good wee man."
The truth hurts lad.

ORIELMAN85 (Monaghan) - Posts: 404 - 17/12/2024 00:57:38    2583815

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Charging kids in to see national league games is purely a money grabbing exercise by the GAA to try and counter act falling attendance figures… Anyone who believes or thinks otherwise is very foolish

ForeverBlue2 (Cavan) - Posts: 3154 - 17/12/2024 10:10:48    2583827

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