Playing GAA in France/Europe Blog

AJ6000 · February 17, 2015, 11:47:25 AM

Hello,

My name's Alan. I'm from Mayo but I've been living in Clermont-Ferrand, France for the last 2 years. I have been playing with the local Gaelic Football team here; the Clermont Gaels and I recently decided to start documenting my experiences playing GAA in France. I have set up a blog and I would really appreciate it if you could check it out and let me know what you think and if you could tell some friends about it that would be even better!

You can find my blog at the following address:

http://www.onthebenchtostartingfrench.com/

I also have a facebook page where you can find links to all my posts and updates when I'm at tournaments in France and other countries:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/On-The-Bench-to-Starting-French-GAA-Blog/345443538987106

Zulu · February 17, 2015, 12:30:01 PM

Fair dues to you and best of luck with the blog. Your story is similar to many playing football abroad insofar as they didn't play much if any football when at home and it's great that international clubs give people a chance to play and enjoy our wonderful game. Are you guys coaching in the schools and as a teacher have you spread the gospel in your own school?

AZOffaly · February 17, 2015, 01:21:24 PM

Fair play. It's an interesting juxtaposition. A lad that got no playing time in GAA, but played rugby, goes to the heart of Rugby country in France and ends up playing a pile of GAA. Very good

AJ6000 · February 18, 2015, 12:50:38 AM

I actually work in a University so it's not so easy to do anything there but 2 of my students are on the team. The club does run occasional induction classes for kids in the area however. In Brittany Gaelic Football is actually part of the PE curriculum so there are 5-6 thousands kids there who practice the sport occasionally.

sligoman2 · February 18, 2015, 11:54:12 PM

Good man, keep up the good work.

AZOffaly · February 19, 2015, 12:44:59 PM

Quote from: AJ6000 on February 18, 2015, 12:50:38 AM
I actually work in a University so it's not so easy to do anything there but 2 of my students are on the team. The club does run occasional induction classes for kids in the area however. In Brittany Gaelic Football is actually part of the PE curriculum so there are 5-6 thousands kids there who practice the sport occasionally.

Really? That's brilliant. I never knew that.

AJ6000 · February 20, 2015, 10:00:34 AM

Some of the clubs have underage teams in Brittany as well. They do their best to hold regular training sessions for the kids:

Walter Cronc · February 20, 2015, 10:03:01 AM

Go easy on the GAA in France. We don't want their rugby players getting even better

AJ6000 · February 20, 2015, 05:46:26 PM

I have a full report on the First Round of the French Federal Championship if you want to check it out.

http://www.onthebenchtostartingfrench.com/2015/02/french-federal-gaa-championship-round-1.html