‘We are not afraid of change and we’re not afraid of the challenge’

The Camogie Association is “not afraid of change” as players demand rule changes to improve the game as a spectacle. That was the strong message from association president, Kathleen Woods at yesterday’s launch of the Liberty Insurance All-Ireland Championships, where it was also revealed that six of the group matches in the senior championship will be streamed live, and that New York will be the venue for the second All-Stars tour in November.

Both of these developments are backed by Liberty Insurance, who are entering their seventh season as championship sponsors, and have placed a major emphasis on raising the profile and exposure of camogie, as well as looking to drive increased participation and attendances. An attractive spectacle is central to that ideal, and it was notable that Woods acknowledged the new horizons created by the players’ growing dedication to being elite athletes and the challenges facing the sport in view of that.