TD calls out 'outdated rule' following camogie players protest over the weekend
The protest involved the Kilkenny and Dublin senior camogie teams as they came out in shorts rather than regulation skorts for their Leinster semi-final
Labour TD and Chairperson of the Oireachtas Sports Committee Alan Kelly has called out "outdated rule" enforcing camogie players wear skorts.
This was particularly brought into perspective as Kilkenny and Dublin senior camogie teams staged a protest before their Leinster semi-final, as all 30 starting players took to the pitch in shorts rather than the regulation skorts, as reported by Kilkenny Live.
The protest came after news that over 70% of players surveyed by the Gaelic Players Association reported discomfort while wearing skorts. The survey recorded responses from 650 intercounty camogie players, with 83% reporting players should have the option to choose either shorts or skorts.
Deputy Kelly said:
"It’s bananas that in today’s day and age there are rules forcing our camogie players to wear skorts, rather than their preferred choice of clothing when playing matches.
"It beggars belief that at a time when we should be working to continue encouraging women and girls to participate in sport, we’d see an own goal like this from the Camogie Association.
"Only this week, the GPA published a study that found 70% of inter-county camogie players find skorts uncomfortable, and 83% of players at least want the right to choose between wearing skorts and shorts.
"We can’t continue to ignore this. No sportsperson should have to tog out in gear that’s unsuitable and uncomfortable.
"While a motion on this was defeated at last year’s congress, I think we need to move faster on the issue of skorts, before the next time delegates can vote on the uniform at congress in 2027.
"I intend to speak to my Committee colleagues about inviting the Camogie Association to the Oireachtas Sports committee on this issue. We simply shouldn’t still be forcing women to wear skorts in this day and age."