By:
Conor Martin
After weeks of fierce debate, the skorts versus shorts debate that has been hotly debated throughout the camogie community has been settled.
The special Congress of the Camogie Association overwhelmingly voted to allow players to have the choice to wear shorts as an alternative to skorts.
The motion was passed by a massive majority of 98% and came into effect from midnight to allow the rule change to be implemented in this weekend’s fixtures.
Two motions to introduce shorts were defeated at Congress last year, but many will now see this motion finally being passed as the right step forward.
The issue of freedom of choice in what players wore during matches came to the spotlight when Dublin and Kilkenny both took to the field in shorts in protest when they met in the Leinster semi-final earlier this month.
However, both sets of players were forced into wearing skorts after being warned by referee Ray Kelly that the game would be abandoned if the two teams didn’t change.
The Camogie Association then attempted to defuse the argument amidst growing pressure by announcing a Special Congress where it would be debated whether or not to allow shorts to be a part of the official Camogie playing kit
Protests Against Camogie Skorts decision
The protests didn’t stop there. The Munster Camogie final between Cork and Waterford was postponed a day before it was due to take place when the two counties announced they too would protest the association’s rules that prevented the wearing of shorts.
Kilkenny and Wexford then took a stand in the Leinster final, both walking onto the pitch in shorts before changing to skorts at the referee’s request. While Derry also protested wearing both skorts and shorts before their Ulster final clash with Antrim.
Previously, camogie players were allowed to wear shorts for training sessions but had to wear skorts for matches.
The GPA (Gaelic Players Association) recently did a survey on the issue and found out that 70% of players had experienced discomfort while wearing skorts and 83% of players believed they had the option to choose.
The motion being passed has already been praised within the camogie and GAA community, with the Gaelic Players Association releasing the following statement last night.
“The GPA would like to put on the record our admiration for camogie players across Ireland and beyond, both at inter-county and club level, who made their voices heard to ensure this outcome.
“To our own membership who have led the campaign for choice, we salute your willingness to stand up for both yourselves and future generations of camogie players.
“We thank the delegates who listened to players’ call for choice. The last few weeks have once again shown the necessity of putting players at the heart of decision-making within Gaelic games.”
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