Irish female athletes in the game of camogie are currently challenging the traditional dress code of wearing “skorts,” a requirement they argue is outdated. Camogie, which is similar to hurling but exclusively played by women, has traditionally not allowed players to wear shorts, a rule that will come under fresh scrutiny during the upcoming final between Cork and Waterford on Saturday. The teams have jointly declared their intention to wear shorts, terming it a matter of personal choice.
Many athletes find “skorts” — designed as shorts with additional fabric to appear like skirts — to be uncomfortable during play. This disagreement came into the spotlight last weekend when Dublin and Kilkenny players had to switch from shorts back to skorts for their semifinal match, something that Aisling Maher, Dublin’s captain, referred to as a personal and career low point.
The movement advocating for a change in the dress code has gained national attention in Ireland, even prompting the country’s prime minister to support the players’ right to choose their attire. While a special congress set for May 22 will address the uniform rules, the Camogie Association failed to approve previous proposals for shorts last year.
The Gaelic Players Association has reached out to Ireland’s sports minister to ensure matches proceed this weekend, advocating for flexibility until the matter is formally discussed. The association’s survey showed significant support for the option to wear shorts; 83% of the 650 players surveyed favor having the choice, and 70% find skorts uncomfortable.
While women’s Gaelic football permits shorts, the rigid camogie dress code has been criticized as outdated, a sentiment echoed by Prime Minister Micheál Martin, who stated that players should have the freedom to choose. Another prominent political figure, Simon Harris, labeled the dress code as “archaic.”
The Camogie Association has not commented on the situation. Across the globe, women athletes in various sports have advocated for less restrictive dress codes. In 2023, the International Hockey Federation changed its regulations to permit shorts after multiple complaints, and some women’s soccer teams have moved away from white shorts due to concerns during menstrual cycles.
At the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, German female gymnasts protested the sport’s overemphasis on appearance by wearing ankle-length unitards. Maher articulated her disappointment on social media after the semifinal skorts mandate, questioning why such antiquated rules persist in sports.