'Shorts not Skorts' - London club wants camogie congress change

The Thomas McCurtains club in London has launched a 'Shorts not Skorts' campaign to raise awareness of the issue ahead of camogie congress, which takes place on 31 March and 1 April.

Currently, camogie players are expected to wear skorts – a combination of skirts and shorts - but the east London club have changed to shorts after comprehensive results from an in-house survey, and they hope that will add a further spotlight to an issue set to be debated at congress in Tipperary later this month.

Thomas McCurtains, now in its eighth year, interviewed 240 players and found that 82% preferred a move to shorts with 75% saying that the skort does not reflect current society.

"It’s no surprise that over 70% of those surveyed prefer shorts over skorts," said player and joint-manager Kelly Ann Brennan.

The changing fashions of camogie kits over the years

"Skorts in their essence were invented to make activities more comfortable for women yet now, for us do the complete opposite.

"It's the embarrassment of having to pull the shorts down after sprinting for a ball, the unflattering fit and the uncomfortable nature of the fabrics with which they’re made.

"I would love to see our dual stars, in the near future, not to have to worry about wearing different kit for two sports under the Gaelic games umbrella.

"In an age when women have never been more visible in sport, I am very proud that my own club are standing up for equality and to make a change.

"It's the embarrassment of having to pull the shorts down after sprinting for a ball, the unflattering fit and the uncomfortable nature of the fabrics with which they're made.

"One of our mottos is ‘Never compromise on our principles’ and wearing skorts is a compromise we are no longer willing to