The Social Return on Investment study, the first of its kind in Irish sport, shows that for every one euro invested in Gaelic games, the benefit returned to society is at least €2.30 and could be as much as €3.96.
The GAA, LGFA and Camogie Association commissioned Sheffield Hallam University’s Sport Industry Research Centre, who are pioneers in the economics of sport and sport’s wider social impacts. Assisted by colleagues in Manchester Metropolitan University and Ulster University, they have spent the last 13 months working on this project.
It is based, in part, on the analysis of national, provincial, county and more than 500 club accounts from across Gaelic games and establishes for the first time the economic impact of Gaelic games activity across the 32 counties, and the social value of the work of more than 1,600 clubs which are led by volunteers. It is also the first time in Irish sport that a report of this detail has looked at the totality of impact from economic to social value to specific major events.
Analysis of the social value of Gaelic games activity estimates that an input or spend to produce Gaelic games of €1.244 billion, resulted in outcomes valued to Irish life worth €2.87 billion.
Lead researcher, Professor Simon Shibli from Sheffield Hallam University’s Sports Industry Research Centre, said: “It has been an honour to work for the GAA and its partners on this project. It is clear to me that Gaelic Games transcend sport, their positive impact can be seen in both economic and social value terms across the island of Ireland. If our work could be distilled into a strapline it would be: “Gaelic games: Good for the economy and good for society.”
GAA President Jarlath Burns said: “For the first time the Association has been able to secure facts and figures that confirm what we have always known – that Gaelic games activity makes an enormously positive impact on society through our involvement in communities, and that this in turn, benefits the economy all across the island.
“In a broad sense, it shows that investment in sport matters and that it is something beneficial. For the last 140 years the GAA has been making this contribution to Irish life and to economic activity. This landmark report will enable our Association to position ourselves so that we continue to make this positive impact through our work with clubs and communities and I thank Professor Shibli and his team for their research.”
