Irish Go For Compulsory Helmets With Faceguards. | |
05 November 2009 The GAA has announced that the wearing of helmets with faceguards will be compulsory for hurlers at all levels from 1 January 2010. This will see senior players in 2010 follow the regulations already in place at the minor and under 21 grades of hurling. In introducing and streamlining these regulations the GAA continues its commitment to ensuring player welfare on the field of play with the specific intention of reducing injuries. The injuries which the compulsory wearing of helmets will prevent and reduce in numbers are specifically those related to the head, face, eye and dental regions. There are significant injuries which can be sustained in these areas including scalp lacerations, concussions, skull fractures, jaw fractures, cheekbone fractures, nasal fractures, penetrating eye injury and orbital fractures, facial lacerations and damage to and avulsion of teeth in both the upper and lower jaws. The compulsory wearing of helmets with full faceguards, both in training and matches, will significantly reduce the occurrence of these injuries. Hurlers of all ages, including those at nursery clubs when holding a hurley in their hand must wear a helmet and faceguard at all times. The helmets and faceguards worn by the player should comply with the specific standard required by the GAA which is in compliance with the ISS 355 standard and test. Match officials will be obliged to stop play if any player at any level appears on the field of play without the necessary standard of equipment outlined above. In summary, the compulsory wearing of helmets including faceguards in hurling at all levels from January 2010 has been solely introduced by the GAA to improve the health, safety and welfare of all participants and reduce the incidence of injuries both in training and on the field of play. Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael Crísotóir Ó Cuana fully endorsed the pending rule change. He said: “The introduction of this rule at senior level is a natural progression following as it does the rule change at minor and U21 level in recent seasons. “We have seen a reduction in the number of serious facial injuries at these grades thanks to the compulsory use of helmets in games and training and we would hope to see the same trend at senior level too. “We accept that this change will provide challenges for older players not accustomed to wearing helmets and also to goalkeepers but we are confident that in time the benefits in terms of safety and player welfare will be seen to far outweigh any initial inconvenience presented by use of the helmets.” Rule 4.2 (i), 2009 Official Guide Part 2 In all Hurling Games and Hurling Practice Sessions it is mandatory for all players up to and including Under 21 Grade to wear a helmet with a facial guard. (Note: From 1/1/2010 the words ‘Up to and including Under 21 Grade’ shall be deleted). |