Strange that in camogie and women's football it is very rare indeed to see a female referee? line official or umpire. In womens soccer, rugby and hockey there are no male officials, always female. LIZ Dempsey is a rare breed. She did ref the camogie semi final on Saturday but why is it that most refs and the other officials in the afore-mentioned sports are invisible? Why is it almost totally dominated by men? There must be a reason but I can't work out what that reason or reasons are. Isn't it about time they got seriously involved? In this age of equality etc' why is it practically exclusively a men's club? Maybe when the two sports merge with the Gaa things will change in this regard but I have my doubts.
Replying To Magpie2: "Strange that in camogie and women's football it is very rare indeed to see a female referee? line official or umpire. In womens soccer, rugby and hockey there are no male officials, always female. LIZ Dempsey is a rare breed. She did ref the camogie semi final on Saturday but why is it that most refs and the other officials in the afore-mentioned sports are invisible? Why is it almost totally dominated by men? There must be a reason but I can't work out what that reason or reasons are. Isn't it about time they got seriously involved? In this age of equality etc' why is it practically exclusively a men's club? Maybe when the two sports merge with the Gaa things will change in this regard but I have my doubts."
Well I was on the Hill early on Sat and got the see the Camogie game between Clare and Waterford.
The ref was miles away from the play on numerous occasions and missed clear frees and infringements.
Replying To Magpie2: "Strange that in camogie and women's football it is very rare indeed to see a female referee? line official or umpire. In womens soccer, rugby and hockey there are no male officials, always female. LIZ Dempsey is a rare breed. She did ref the camogie semi final on Saturday but why is it that most refs and the other officials in the afore-mentioned sports are invisible? Why is it almost totally dominated by men? There must be a reason but I can't work out what that reason or reasons are. Isn't it about time they got seriously involved? In this age of equality etc' why is it practically exclusively a men's club? Maybe when the two sports merge with the Gaa things will change in this regard but I have my doubts."
Good question. I've been to a good few LGFA underage club matches here in Meath since COVID and there's a few more female referees since last year. Still dominated by males though. But I'd say between male and female refs there's the same few people who cover these games, serious admiration for their dedication. But there aren't enough referees. I saw a young female referee reffing an U11s game on Sunday and doing a great job. Aspiring female referees can do an online course so they can referee LGFA Go games. Just a small step on the ladder but hopefully they keep up the interest into refereeing underage and adult games.
I know you're just asking about the officials but female coaches are very rare, might be a few female selectors on the line, but not coaching the team. We have a good U15s female coach here. I saw one very good coach a few weeks ago but wondered why there aren't more female coaches? Possibly the males, usually fathers of the LGFA players, are more interested or have more time to get involved? More ladies now playing for the Mothers and Others team so hopefully a few will get involved with coaching.
Replying To GreenandRed: "Good question. I've been to a good few LGFA underage club matches here in Meath since COVID and there's a few more female referees since last year. Still dominated by males though. But I'd say between male and female refs there's the same few people who cover these games, serious admiration for their dedication. But there aren't enough referees. I saw a young female referee reffing an U11s game on Sunday and doing a great job. Aspiring female referees can do an online course so they can referee LGFA Go games. Just a small step on the ladder but hopefully they keep up the interest into refereeing underage and adult games.
I know you're just asking about the officials but female coaches are very rare, might be a few female selectors on the line, but not coaching the team. We have a good U15s female coach here. I saw one very good coach a few weeks ago but wondered why there aren't more female coaches? Possibly the males, usually fathers of the LGFA players, are more interested or have more time to get involved? More ladies now playing for the Mothers and Others team so hopefully a few will get involved with coaching."
Yeah you are right GreenandRed. Realised I hadn't mentioned the coaches/ managers in my earlier post. Really it's none of my business what the two bodies do or don't do but surely it's in their own interest to have more, in fact much more involvement by females in female sports.