The issue of having to wear a skort whilst playing camogie is not a new one, but there have been growing feelings of discontent with the current rules for quite some time now and recent protests have brought the controversy into the mainstream media.
The current rules governing playing gear for camogie state that it must include a skirt, skort (a pair of shorts with an overlapping fabric panel which resembles a skirt) or a divided skirt.
This is in contrast to women’s gaelic football where shorts are allowed.
A recent Gaelic Players Association survey, external highlighted how 70% of players experienced discomfort while wearing the skort, and that 83% of players wanted an option to choose to wear shorts.
Shorts are generally viewed as more comfortable and practical to wear especially when women are on their period and with the possibility of skorts riding up, they may prove a distraction whilst trying to compete at the highest level.
Cahair O’Kane, a journalist with the Irish News told the Conor Phillips Show that players “have concerns about how skorts appear in images from the wrong angle and skorts coming up”.
“Shorts a lot of the players feel eliminate the issue. What players want is simply the choice to wear shorts or skorts,” he added.
Former Antrim camogie All-Star Jane Adams said the enforcement of skort wearing “screams sexism” and that it has always been “an issue” for players.
“Girls shouldn’t be being told what they have to wear. Skorts and shorts look similar, but it’s all about comfort,” she continued.
“I guarantee that one of the reasons why girls are dropping out of camogie is because of this issue.
She has urged the Camogie Association to “be transformational” and change the rule.