THE CAMOGIE ASSOCIATION says the rules around the wearing of skorts will remain as they are despite the efforts of Dublin and Kilkenny players who protested against the issue over the weekend.
Following a request from The 42, the Camogie Association released a statement which reads that “player welfare is at the heart of everything we do” and that “rules governing our playing wear should not change” on account of a vote taken at 2024 Congress.
The statement reads:
“We note the recent research published by the GPA. Player welfare is at the heart of everything we do across the Camogie Association.
“A democratic vote at Congress 2024 determined that the rules governing our playing wear should not change.
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“Ard Chomhairle established a working group to examine issues around the comfort, fit, design and overall performance of playing wear.
“As part of this process, a wide range of national and international manufactured skorts have been sourced. Testing of these skorts for comfort, fit and design, will begin in mid-May and will include adult and Juvenile players from Club and County teams, as well as referees.
“Once testing is completed, the working group will prepare recommendations for Ard Chomhairle consideration.
“The Camogie Association remains committed to respecting the democratic process in all decisions that affect all of our members.
“Voting delegates at Congress represent all the members of the Association, including players and parents of players across the country.”
There were striking scenes on Saturday as the Dublin and Kilkenny teams emerged for their Leinster semi-final wearing shorts instead of the mandated skorts which is part of the camogie uniform. The Kilkenny team stayed on the pitch for the National Anthem while wearing shorts as the Dublin team left the field. Eventually, all thirty players changed into skorts to play the match which Kilkenny won.
The players were protesting against the rule which forces players to wear the skort — a skirt with a pair of shorts attached underneath. The protest followed the publication of research from the GPA. A survey of 650 inter-county camogie players found that 83% would prefer to wear shorts or believe that players should have the option to choose.
Sunday Game pundits Neil McManus and Jackie Tyrrell have also hit out at the Camogie Association over the ongoing skorts issue.
Presenter Damian Lawlor put it to McManus that the 2027 Camogie Congress is the next available opportunity to address this issue.
“I don’t think it should be,” McManus replied.
“Let’s get this sorted out. If the Camogie Association would collaborate with the players here, I think this can be resolved fairly quickly.
“When you see that 83% of Camogie players are in favour of having a choice to wear the skort or the shorts, or not wearing the skorts at all.
“We want the games to be played at as high a level as possible. We want players to be as happy as they possibly can be and this seems like a no-brainer. I was listening to Aisling Maher [Dublin] and Hannah Looney [Cork] during the week articulating the point so well. So, the ball is very firmly with the Camogie Association tonight.”
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Tyrrell added that this is the “common sense approach” and said that the Camogie Association should not have allowed the matter fester to this point.
“It’s a failing on the association that it’s got to this point. This should be nipped in the bud and facilitated. 83% is a strong number of people looking for change. Change should be facilitated, and it’s not a wholesale change or a drastic change. It’s just giving them the option of the skort or the shorts. The key to everything is engagement. Get the key stakeholders around, have a good conversation.
“If you hear some of the players that Neil has alluded to – well able to articulate. These girls are putting in as much effort as anyone. And to not be able to facilitate change or give them what they want, is disappointing.”
Article updated to include a statement from the Camogie Association
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Camogie Association respond after Dublin-Kilkenny skorts controversy
LAST UPDATE | 5 May
THE CAMOGIE ASSOCIATION says the rules around the wearing of skorts will remain as they are despite the efforts of Dublin and Kilkenny players who protested against the issue over the weekend.
Following a request from The 42, the Camogie Association released a statement which reads that “player welfare is at the heart of everything we do” and that “rules governing our playing wear should not change” on account of a vote taken at 2024 Congress.
The statement reads:
“We note the recent research published by the GPA. Player welfare is at the heart of everything we do across the Camogie Association.
“A democratic vote at Congress 2024 determined that the rules governing our playing wear should not change.
“Ard Chomhairle established a working group to examine issues around the comfort, fit, design and overall performance of playing wear.
“As part of this process, a wide range of national and international manufactured skorts have been sourced. Testing of these skorts for comfort, fit and design, will begin in mid-May and will include adult and Juvenile players from Club and County teams, as well as referees.
“Once testing is completed, the working group will prepare recommendations for Ard Chomhairle consideration.
“The Camogie Association remains committed to respecting the democratic process in all decisions that affect all of our members.
“Voting delegates at Congress represent all the members of the Association, including players and parents of players across the country.”
There were striking scenes on Saturday as the Dublin and Kilkenny teams emerged for their Leinster semi-final wearing shorts instead of the mandated skorts which is part of the camogie uniform. The Kilkenny team stayed on the pitch for the National Anthem while wearing shorts as the Dublin team left the field. Eventually, all thirty players changed into skorts to play the match which Kilkenny won.
The players were protesting against the rule which forces players to wear the skort — a skirt with a pair of shorts attached underneath. The protest followed the publication of research from the GPA. A survey of 650 inter-county camogie players found that 83% would prefer to wear shorts or believe that players should have the option to choose.
Sunday Game pundits Neil McManus and Jackie Tyrrell have also hit out at the Camogie Association over the ongoing skorts issue.
Presenter Damian Lawlor put it to McManus that the 2027 Camogie Congress is the next available opportunity to address this issue.
“I don’t think it should be,” McManus replied.
“Let’s get this sorted out. If the Camogie Association would collaborate with the players here, I think this can be resolved fairly quickly.
“When you see that 83% of Camogie players are in favour of having a choice to wear the skort or the shorts, or not wearing the skorts at all.
“We want the games to be played at as high a level as possible. We want players to be as happy as they possibly can be and this seems like a no-brainer. I was listening to Aisling Maher [Dublin] and Hannah Looney [Cork] during the week articulating the point so well. So, the ball is very firmly with the Camogie Association tonight.”
Tyrrell added that this is the “common sense approach” and said that the Camogie Association should not have allowed the matter fester to this point.
“It’s a failing on the association that it’s got to this point. This should be nipped in the bud and facilitated. 83% is a strong number of people looking for change. Change should be facilitated, and it’s not a wholesale change or a drastic change. It’s just giving them the option of the skort or the shorts. The key to everything is engagement. Get the key stakeholders around, have a good conversation.
“If you hear some of the players that Neil has alluded to – well able to articulate. These girls are putting in as much effort as anyone. And to not be able to facilitate change or give them what they want, is disappointing.”
Article updated to include a statement from the Camogie Association
Check out the latest episode of The42′s GAA Weekly podcast here
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Camogie Camogie Association GAA Speaking out Sunday Game