‘More than a Role’ report into experience of Club Officers published:
The GAA, LGFA and Camogie Association have jointly produced a research report providing a comprehensive insight into the experiences, realities and challenges of Club Officers across Gaelic Games.
Co-authored by all three Gaelic Games Associations and developed in partnership with South East Technological University (SETU), the report – titled ‘More Than a Role’ – draws on the views of over 1,300 Club Officers worldwide. As a result of this piece of work, an evidence base now exists on who our volunteers are, why they step forward, how they experience their roles, and what supports they need to thrive.
Conducted through extensive survey work and qualitative analysis, More Than a Role provides clear guidance for strengthening volunteer recruitment, development, and retention across the GAA, LGFA and Camogie Association.
This publication represents another significant step forward for Gaelic Games. It is the first Club Officer-focused research project co-authored across all three Associations, reflecting their shared commitment to supporting the volunteers who are the heartbeat of our Clubs.
Developed in partnership with a research team at SETU, the study delivers a robust evidence base that will help shape policy, training, support structures and long-term development strategies for Clubs across the island of Ireland and beyond.
Key Insights
Key insights highlighted by More Than a Role include:
A committed, community driven volunteer base motivated by passion, belonging and a desire to give back.
Significant time demands can be placed on Club Officers, with many giving the equivalent of a full working day each week.
Club Officer roles have become Increasingly complex in administrative and governance requirements.
There are opportunities to do more around recruitment and succession planning.
Improving how we use data, share information and communication will foster a more connected and informed volunteer network.
There is a need for more consistent structures, streamlined roles and more efficient tools.
More volunteers could be attracted through clearer role descriptions, positive messaging and stronger peer support.
Further expansion of training and development available so Club Officers feel confident, prepared and supported from day one.
Improving digital tools that can streamline administration, reduce duplication and simplify routine tasks is an area where significant gains can be made.
These insights present a roadmap for strengthening volunteer pathways and ensuring sustainable support for Clubs of every size and code.
The three Associations have reaffirmed that volunteers remain central to the strength, identity and future of Gaelic Games. The publication of More Than a Role reflects a united and coordinated commitment to better understanding and addressing the needs of the thousands of people who give their time every day to sustain our Clubs.
GAA President Jarlath Burns said: “Our Clubs are the beating heart of the GAA, and the volunteers who lead them are the custodians of something far greater than administrative responsibility. They safeguard our identity, our culture, and the sense of belonging that makes Gaelic Games so unique.
This report is an important moment for all three Associations. By listening carefully to the lived experiences of our Club Officers, we are better placed to support them, to reduce the burdens they face, and to celebrate the invaluable service they give to their communities.
More Than a Role reminds us that volunteering is an act of love — for place, for people, and for our games. We are deeply grateful to every person who steps forward, and we remain committed to ensuring that their journey is supported, appreciated, and sustained.”
Speaking on behalf of the Ladies Gaelic Football Association, President Trina Murray said “As President of the LGFA, I am immensely proud to see the publication of More Than a Role, a landmark collaboration between the GAA, LGFA and Camogie Association. For the first time, we have a comprehensive, shared evidence base that truly captures the voice of our Club Officers – the volunteers who give so generously of their time, energy and expertise.
This research reinforces what we in the LGFA have always known: our volunteers are the heartbeat of our Association. It also challenges us to do more — to provide clearer pathways into volunteering, stronger training and development supports, and more streamlined systems that respect the time and commitment of those who step forward.
By working in partnership with SETU and across the three Associations, we are demonstrating a united commitment to strengthening and sustaining our Clubs. This report is not just research – it is a roadmap for meaningful action that will benefit Gaelic Games for generations to come.”
Brian Molloy, Uachtarán an Chumainn Camógaíochta said: “Volunteers are the foundation upon which our clubs, and indeed our entire Gaelic games community, are built. Every training session organised, every pitch lined, every young player encouraged to take part is made possible by people who give their time freely for the good of their communities and our games. Mo bhuíochas, agus buíochas an Chumainn Camógaíochta, libh.
“The publication of More Than a Role is hugely significant because it allows us to better understand the experiences of those volunteers and the realities they face in their roles. By listening to their voices, we can better support them.
“As our inevitable integration into a single association draws closer to fruition, it is particularly encouraging that this research has been undertaken collaboratively by the Camogie Association, the GAA and the LGFA. That shared approach demonstrates a clear commitment across Gaelic games to strengthening the volunteer experience and ensuring that our clubs remain vibrant, sustainable and welcoming places for generations to come. I would also like to thank SETU for partnering with us on this project.”
Dr. Noel Connors, SETU Lecturer in Sports Management, said: Volunteers in Gaelic Games do far more than fill roles or complete tasks. Behind every thriving club is a network of dedicated people whose work often goes unseen — individuals who sustain communities, preserve identity, and quietly carry the weight of organisations that matter deeply to people.
The voices of more than 1,300 Club Officers captured in More Than a Role, developed in partnership with South-East Technological University in Waterford, tell a powerful story. Their commitment reflects the enduring strength of Gaelic Games, but their experiences also highlight the need for better systems, clearer structures, and stronger supports. By making the invisible visible, this research reminds us that the future of our games depends not only on talent on the field, but on the volunteers who give their time, energy and leadership off it. Supporting them better is not simply about improving governance — it is about strengthening the social fabric of our communities and moving from assumption to meaningful action.
More Than a Role was co-authored by staff and volunteers across the GAA, LGFA and Camogie Association, with academic oversight and research leadership from SETU. The project team included experts in sport governance, volunteer development, data analysis and community engagement.