A landmark decision was made in Croke Park last night as the Camogie Association voted overwhelmingly in favour of choice, allowing shorts be a part of the sport’s official playing kit for the first time in their 121 year history.
Of the 133 delegates in attendance, 98% voted in favour of the motion, meaning that, effective from this weekend, players will have the option to wear either skorts or shorts in official competition.
The change comes after a wave of player-led actions in recent weeks. Kilkenny and Dublin made headlines when they wore shorts during the warm-up ahead of their Leinster semi-final, but were forced to change into skorts to ensure the match could go ahead. In Munster, controversy escalated when the provincial final between Cork and Waterford was postponed the day before the game due to their stated intent to wear shorts.
Following the vote, Camogie Association president Brian Molloy welcomed the decision.
He said,
“We are pleased to announce that delegates have voted by an overwhelming majority in favour of giving players greater choice in their playing attire. From midnight tonight, each individual player will have the option to wear skorts or shorts – adding choice while maintaining the professionalism and uniformity of our team kits in both colour and design.”
The Gaelic Players Association also issued a statement:
“We welcome the result of this evening’s vote for choice at the Camogie Association Special Congress.
“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.”
The vote marks a progressive moment in the sport’s history – one that places players’ comfort and choice at the forefront.