Annual Subscriptions - the rules according to Croke Park.
March 10, 2025
For all members, it's crucial to fully understand the rules and procedures governing membership and registration within the GAA. Membership in the GAA is open to everyone, pending acceptance by a Club. All members are expected to uphold and promote the aims and objectives outlined in the Official Guide of the GAA. Membership rights are contingent upon adherence to the Club's Constitution, the GAA Official Guide, and the payment of annual membership fees.
Membership of the Association runs from January 1st – December 31st as per the official guide. {Part 1 /Pg 13-15}
Cover under the GAA Injury Benefit Fund also runs on a calendar basis from January 1st – December 31st for players who have membership paid and are officially registered.
(Please note: A Player must be registered at least three days before a game )
The GAA Injury Benefit Fund is in place for the benefit of registered playing members
Only fully paid up & registered members are covered under this scheme, which is funded by player membership. If a player was not registered at the time of the injury, the Injury Fund Administrators (Willis) will decline the claim.
** It is important that all players/ mentors are aware of the importance of registering players. Players should be informed that they are not covered under the fund until membership is paid and they are registered with Croke Park.
** It is also important to note: Under the GAA Liability programme also, there is an increasing number of personal injury claims coming in where players are taking personal actions against another player or the club and if that player was not registered at the time of the injury, this exposes the club and the Association in that if it went legal, the club / mentors would be found negligent for fielding an unregistered member. The rule to have players registered is to protect both the club and the Association in the event of such a case.
The onus is on Clubs to make sure that any player who lines out in a game is registered. Perhaps his registration number should be on team along side the players name.
A club that plays a player they may incur any of the following sanctions -
- Award of Game to the Opposing Team. on an inquiry by Committee-in-Charge
- Forfeiture of Game without Award of Game to the Opposing Team, or Fine, depending on the circumstance
In order to have voting rights within the Club (at meetings & AGM), Adult members must be registered by 31st March to have voting rights.