New fluorescent yellow/High-Vis sliotars will be used for all adult hurling games from January
The GAA has now announced a complete change to the "yellow" hurling ball from next season onwards.
The science informs that the move makes sense as optometrist Valerie Kennelly - who is considered a world leader in the field of Sports Vision - says it is easier to see the yellow ball, especially in the sort of conditions that hurling is commonly played in.
“An object viewed against a contrasting background is easier to see,” Kennelly explained to GAA.ie. “In a normal eye-test you're looking at black letters on a white background.
“You'll be able to see a small white ball if your vision is good under good conditions, so against a blue sky.
“Whereas when the contrast is poor, for example a grey letter against a white background or a white ball against a cloudy sky, then it's contrast sensitivity that we're talking about and everybody will be affected by poor contrast."
More details can be found on the GAA website here
It was confirmed that the new ball will be used in all games next season. A GAA statement says: "from January 1st, 2024, all Hurling games at all levels from Minor (u-17) and above should use a Fluorescent Yellow/High-Vis Match Sliotar from a GAA Sliotar Licensee.
"The decision to transition from white to Fluorescent Yellow/High-Vis sliotars began in 2020 with that year’s Liam McCarthy Cup and was made for the benefit of both players and spectators alike and based on clear scientific evidence.
"To better inform the public on the specifications of Match Sliotars and SMART sliotars, the GAA has created a website link that includes sliotar information for all GAA members here."
The change is brought about for many reasons, one of which is to ensure that only official products are used for the game.
The GAA website confirms as follows: "A chip is embedded in the core of each Smart Sliotar which can be read by an app on a mobile phone and is used for sliotar verification purposes in Senior, U20 and Minor (U17) Inter-County Official Games.
"The GAA Smart Sliotar project aims to ensure that approved Sliotar Licensees adhere to the Sliotar specifications set out in the GAA Official Guide and that approved sliotars perform on a consistent basis.
"In an effective regulatory context, the Association seeks to address illegal use of the official GAA logo and to ensure ethical production and supply chain practices as determined by the World Federation of the Sports Goods Industry (WFSGI)."
The new sliotar has been used last season in the Allianz Hurling Leagues and All-Ireland Senior Championships as well as in the 2022 U20 Hurling Championships.
All Sliotar tests are carried out independently via Dublin City University.
Further information is available regarding GAA Sliotar licensee queries from GAA Partnerships Manager, Dónal Marah. His email is: [email protected]