News
Hurling Helmets compulsory from January 1 2010
Hurling Helmets compulsory from January 1 2010
From January 1st 2010 the wearing of helmets with faceguards will be compulsory for
hurlers at all levels.
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.
From January 1st 2010 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.
The player will be advised of the requirements that the new regulations place on him
and his continued participation will be dependent on his complete compliance with
these regulations.
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.”