The Ladies Gaelic Football Association has set up a review committee to examine the possibility of trialling new playing rules for the women’s game.
The process is only in its infancy and as of yet there is no commitment to introduce trial rules next season, but the Gaelic Players Association believes it is a possibility that experimentation could take place in in 2026.
Playing rules in the women’s game is in area highlighted in the GPA’s annual membership survey, with the association stating their research shows “a strong appetite for evolution towards a faster, fairer, and more physical game”.
A total of 754 intercounty women footballers responded to the survey. Some 92 per cent of players surveyed said they would be in favour of trialling new rules in next year’s National League.
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Four of the new rules introduced to men’s football this season topped the poll in terms of what changes players would like to see trialled in the women’s game: two points from outside the scoring arc (73 per cent); three players remaining in one half of the field (61 per cent); solo-and-go frees (88 per cent); the advanced mark (59 per cent).
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The topic of physicality in women’s football has been a long-standing debate and 78 per cent of players said they would like to see more physicality allowed, while 87 per cent said they do not believe the tackle is adequately defined in the LGFA’s rules.
The GPA has since met the LGFA, providing them with the results of the membership survey.
“It was prompted from our own members contacting us after the championship,” said Gemma Begley, the GPA’s head of equality and player relations.
“It probably came from seeing the positive impact [the FRC rules have had] on the men’s game and players just wanted to explore what potential was there within the women’s game.
“Stale is probably not the right word, but there has just probably been a build-up of frustration around refereeing and not knowing what a charge was and that lack of clarity around it. So [the survey findings] are not a surprise at all.”
The LGFA said no decision has been made with regards to trialling rules next year, with the review committee set to consider the available information before determining what, if any, recommendations are to be put forward.
“Nothing has been set in stone regarding rules being trialled,” a LGFA spokesperson said.
But Begley is hopeful that some new rules might be road-tested next season.
“The feedback we got from the LGFA was that it should be a lot more straightforward to bring forward some of these proposed changes [than it was for the GAA],” the former Tyrone footballer added.
“They have started a process of reviewing the rules already, so we’ll be feeding into the work they have started.
“I suppose the mandate is there from our players. The LGFA have said they can do a fairly expedited process and players are happy with trial rules in 2026. We’d love to see that if it’s possible, 100 per cent we would support that.”
