'Protesting is only option', player says on skorts issue | Breaking News & Latest Ireland Updates

'Protesting is only option', player says on skorts issue — The captain of Dublin's camogie team has said that protesting is the only option players have at their disposal to bring forward a change in a rule re...

The captain of Dublin's camogie team has said that protesting is the only option players have at their disposal to bring forward a change in a rule requiring players to wear skorts.

She said she and other like-minded players will continue to protest until they are allowed to wear shorts.

Yesterday, camogie players from Dublin and Kilkenny turned up to their Leinster semi-final in shorts as a form of protest against skorts, tight-fitting shorts covered in a fabric that makes them look like a skirt, which must be worn under camogie rules.

The protest came after a Gaelic Players Association survey released this week found that 70% of players surveyed had experienced discomfort while wearing the mandated clothing and that 83% of players believed they should have the option to choose to wear them.

Read more:Dublin and Kilkenny players make skorts protest ahead of Leinster semi-final

Dublin camogie captain Niamh Gannon said the "outdated rule" has now become a player welfare issue that is affecting the mental health of players and contributing to high dropout rates.

"Our game is developing so much in other areas, but in this respect, it's not. In no other area in our lives are we told that we have to wear something that resembles a skirt.

"Players have spoken out about the effect this has had on their mental health, just in terms of not being comfortable or confident seeing pictures after games of themselves in skorts.

"And there are young girls, who have said that they've stopped playing camogie because they don't feel comfortable.

"Drop-out in girls' sports is a massive issue, and this issue with the skorts is definitely not helping that. They feel more comfortable in shorts, so they stop playing our sport," she said.

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Camogie Association may be invited before Oireachtas committee

Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the Oireachtas Committee on Sport, Labour TD Alan Kelly, has said he intends to invite the Camogie Association to the committee to deal with the issue of skorts in camogie "once and for all".

Mr Kelly said rules forcing camogie players to wear skorts are "bananas in today's day and age".

"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," Mr Kelly said.

"We can’t continue to ignore this. No sportsperson should have to tog out in gear that’s unsuitable and uncomfortable," the Labour TD added.

Two separate motions at last year's congress, which would have either replaced skorts with shorts or allowed both, were defeated, and cannot be put forward again until 2027.

However, congress motions are voted upon by a delegation of county and provincial representatives, not the players themselves.

Tánaiste Simon Harris, meanwhile, said the current rules are "archaic".

He said camogie players have "made their views clearly known" and endorsed the views of Fine Gael Senator Evanne Ní Chuillin who said the skort rule "is becoming a barrier, and it has also taken away from the sport itself".

"It is time to listen to the players and give a choice at the very least," Ms Ní Chuillin said.

Dublin captain and co-chair of the GPA Aisling Maher described yesterday’s incident as "a career low".

"Career low for me today when 60+ players ready to play a championship game in shorts are told their match will be abandoned if every player doesn't change into skorts," she posted on her Instagram page.

'Player welfare is at the heart of everything we do'

The Camogie Association said that player welfare is at the heart of everything they do across the association.

In a statement this evening, they said that a democratic vote at Congress last year determined that the rules governing their 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."

The Camogie Association said that once testing is completed, the working group will prepare recommendations for Ard Chomhairle consideration.

The statement added that the Camogie Association remains committed to respecting the democratic process in all decisions that affect all members.

"Voting delegates at Congress represent all the members of the Association, including players and parents of players across the country."

'Protesting is our only option', says Dublin captain

Dublin captain Niamh Gannon, however, believes the Camogie Association's decision reflects a consensus among players that they are not being heard, adding that further protests may now be their only option.

"It just seems like the association isn't listening to us, the players, and the need for change. At the end of the day, we are the ones who are out there playing the sport."

"At this stage, protesting kind of is our only option. Reports have been released; players have spoken out and nothing has been done. So, I think protest is nearly the only way that we can try and make a change with this.

"It's too long to wait until 2027 for more action on this to be taken," she added.

In a statement, the Gaelic Players Association said it supports players having the right to choose between shorts or skorts, adding that their position on the matter will not change.

"It is unacceptable that female athletes are being compelled to wear gear that they believe compromises their performance and well-being. We stand firmly with any player or team who opts for shorts and commend the Dublin and Kilkenny players for asserting that right today.

"These athletes were put in an impossible position - wear what they believe is right or face the prospect of the game being abandoned. As always, players chose to compete."

The GPA has called on the Camogie Association to listen to their players and "respect their autonomy".