Gaelic Games

Camogie Association ‘committed’ to players after proposals to allow shorts fail

Two motions put to Congress attempted to overhaul regulations requiring players to wear skort, but matter can now not be revisited until 2027

The next time a vote will be permitted to take place on camogie-playing gear is in 2027. Photograph: Inpho

Gordon Manning
Mon Apr 8 2024 - 21:14

The Camogie Association says it is “committed to ongoing engagement” with members after two proposals seeking to allow players wear shorts were defeated at Congress last Saturday.

Two of the 87 motions on the clár during Saturday’s meeting at The Westgrove Hotel in Clane attempted to overhaul the regulations requiring players to wear a skort.

Rule Six (b) of Camogie’s Official Guide, Part Two, states: “Playing gear must be of Irish manufacture if possible. It must consist of [a] skirt/skort/divided skirt, sports jersey with long or short sleeves, socks and boots. Uniform socks must be worn.”

Rescinding or amending any existing rule requires a two-thirds majority, and while there was lengthy debate and submissions delivered by delegates arguing both sides, the two proposals ultimately fell well short of that threshold among the 150 in attendance.

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Tipperary’s motion wanted to remove the wording “skirt/skort/divided skirt” completely and replace it instead with “shorts” as the attire of choice, but it was defeated, with 64 per cent of delegates voting against it.

The Great Britain proposal was more of a compromise and sought to add shorts as an option for players alongside the skirt/skort/divided skirt. However, only 45 per cent of delegates supported that motion, with 55 per cent voting against adding shorts to the rule book.

On the votes last weekend, the Camogie Association stated: “A number of motions dealing with the playing gear worn by camogie players were considered. Motions brought to Congress are subject to a democratic vote, with delegates representing all the members of their units in the decision-making process. The Camogie Association is committed to ongoing engagement and feedback from our members. All delegates were afforded the opportunity to contribute to the debate and there were numerous contributions heard on both sides of the motions on playing gear before the vote was taken.”

Congress comprises — among others — Central Council officials, one delegate from each provincial council and delegates from each county (the number of reps per county is determined by the number of clubs it has: three to 14 clubs, two delegates; 15-30 clubs, four delegates; 31 or more clubs, six delegates.)

Voting was conducted electronically with delegates using a digital pad system and the results appeared on a large screen, similar to the method used by the GAA.

The next time a vote will be permitted to take place on camogie-playing gear is in 2027.

The Gaelic Players Association, when contacted, said it would be making no official statement on the matter at this time.

Tipperary, who tabled one of the motions about the skort last weekend will face Galway in camogie’s Division One National League final at Croke Park this Sunday. Should any player or team fail to comply with the rule on playing gear, they face an immediate caution from the referee.

Should the player/players continue to refuse to comply then a second caution could follow, which would mean dismissal from the field of play. There are five league finals taking place across the weekend.

Gordon Manning

Gordon Manning

Gordon Manning is a sports journalist, specialising in Gaelic games, with The Irish Times

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