By:
Conor Martin
The GAA is putting volunteer recruitment and retention front and centre now that we’re well into 2026.
A recent social return on investment study highlighted just how much these volunteers matter: their work adds a staggering €1 billion a year in value to Irish society. But keeping people involved is becoming a bigger challenge.
Clubs and counties are finding it harder to fill key roles. Increasing administrative workloads, tighter schedules, economic pressures, and broader changes in how people spend their time mean fewer are willing or able to step up.
The risk is real: without volunteers, the engine that drives local GAA clubs could start to stall, and that could have disastrous consequences for clubs.
Volunteers have always been the backbone of Gaelic games, and 2026 is shaping up as a year to ensure they stay at the heart of it all. For the GAA, keeping people involved isn’t just about clubs—it’s about protecting a tradition that enriches communities across the country.
The new approach is one of the many focuses the organisation will be working on this year, including the planned 2027 integration of the GAA, LGFA and Camogie associations.
New volunteer-driven stance from the GAA will go a long way with members
The fact that the GAA are making volunteers its top priority will help ensure everyone feels valued, supported, and able to make a real impact.
The association has three main goals: modernise structures, get a clearer picture of the volunteer experience, and build a highly engaged, well-equipped volunteer network.
Next month’s inaugural GAA club summit will shine a spotlight on these priorities, tackling the challenges volunteers face and exploring ways to strengthen the backbone of the association.
The summit will focus on five key areas: growing the games, running clubs efficiently, supporting individuals, enhancing facilities, and recognising the vital role volunteers play in their communities.
Amateur Status Review report set to be released in a few weeks
Attendees can expect a mix of workshops, seminars, interactive forums, and networking, with insights from top GAA names including Declan Hannon, Conor McManus, Peter Canavan, Liam Sheedy, Denise Masterson, Diane O’Hora, and Ursula Jacob. The event, set for 7th February, comes just ahead of the GAA’s long-awaited Amateur Status Review report.
The report will highlight how inter-county costs have more than doubled over the past decade, putting huge pressure on players and volunteers alike.
Leaders warn that slipping into paid roles for jobs traditionally held by volunteers not only strains finances but also risks eroding the spirit of volunteerism at the heart of the GAA. Protecting volunteers is seen as essential to keeping clubs, counties, and communities thriving for years to come.
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