GAA's new jersey specification comes into effect this weekend

Slaughtneil's kit changed to ensure legible numbering

Jersey manufacturers McKeever have designed a Slaughtneil kit featuring a white block background which will meet new jersey requirements. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

A new jersey specification comes into effect this Sunday when Slaughtneil meet Loughrea in their All-Ireland senior club hurling semi-final in Parnell Park.

Slaughtneil will wear a slightly changed jersey to ensure the numbers on their back are legible. The maroon numbers on a maroon and white hooped background have been notoriously difficult to read but jersey manufacturers McKeever have designed a kit featuring a white block background.

Central Council recently endorsed a stipulation that player numbers have to become more visible and so there must be a distinction between the colour of the jersey and that of the figure.

A phasing-in period will be required to acknowledge clubs who have recently purchased kits but they will soon be expected to wear jerseys that are compliant with the specification.

The likes of Kilkenny will be allowed to continue their white numbers on their black and amber stripes as there is a distinction between the white number with a black outline and amber.

“It will take a little time to get previously bought sets through the system,” said GAA partnerships manager Dónal Marah. “The main addition is in relation to numbers of the front and back jerseys. We are regularly seeing numbers appearing that are not visible to referee and fans as they are too close in colour to the jersey.

“To overcome this, Central Council have added under section E (number on front of jersey) and section I (number on back of jersey): White numbers must be used on dark colour jerseys and black/dark numbers on bright jerseys.”

Four years ago, Cork’s Killeagh proposed clubs be compelled to change the back of their jerseys to a solid background to ensure numbers were legible.

Their motion read: “Jersey numbers must be clearly legible to match officials, spectators (including TV/livestream viewers) and relevant media personnel in daylight and under floodlights. The CCC (or committee-in-charge) may require a club to create a clean number zone on the back of the jersey if this is considered necessary.” 

Killeagh’s recommendation was passed at county convention and eventually made its way to Central Council where it was referred to the GAA’s commercial department for consideration.

It is hoped the new specification will ease the identification of players especially for match officials, commentators and supporters. The idea of squad numbers at inter-county level is also currently being discussed by another GAA workgroup as a means of adding to the promotion of games and curbing the practice of dummy teams.

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