LGFA chief executive: Parents looking to switch daughter's club exploiting rule

In sum, said the LGFA CEO, the rule is no longer serving the purpose it was initially brought into existence for. It is instead being used by parents who will do whatever it takes to secure a transfer for their daughter.

PARENTS EXPLOITING RULE: Helen O'Rourke, CEO, LGFA, during the LGFA Congress 2018 at the Crowne Plaza in Dundalk, Co Louth. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Ladies Football chief executive Helen O’Rourke has said that parents looking to move their daughter from one club to another are exploiting a rule that was designed to deal with transfer requests made under “exceptional circumstances”.

Rule 132 of the LGFA Official Guide states that “a player or players may apply in writing to the Management Committee of Central Council for permission to deviate from a specific rule or rules in exceptional circumstances and seek to play with another Club.