GAA Abroad - Canada

[youbetterbelieveit]

Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2006 11:05 pm    Post subject: Canadian Ladies GAA Report 2006   

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Ladies Football in Canada
John O'Flynn – Canadian County Board Secretary
Sinead Canavan – Toronto Divisional Board President

The Canadian County Board had nearly 240 ladies registered with 9 clubs in 2006 playing Gaelic Football. In Eastern Canada, where 6 clubs are located in two provinces (Ontario and Quebec), the Ottawa Gaels won both the League and Championship of the Toronto Divisional Board. In addition, Ottawa won the Durham Emmets, Montreal Shamrocks and the International 7's Powerscreen tournaments for a total of 5 victories.

In Western Canada, where 3 clubs are located in two provinces (Alberta and British Columbia), the Edmonton Wolfe Tones won the Western Divisional Board's Championship for the third year running over the Vancouver Harps and the Calgary Chieftains. North American County Board Junior Club, Seattle Gaels, won the Vancouver tournament while the Edmonton Wolfe Tones won the Calgary tournament.

Ladies Gaelic Football in Canada has changed tremendously over the years. What started as strictly a game for Irish emigrants has grown to reflect the cultural diversity of Canada. As reflected in the International team that traveled to Dublin (2005), it is not being of Irish descent that earned those players their spot but their athleticism, sportsmanship and skill.

Of the panel of 25 ladies, only three were Irish born. For the first time, this truly was a team where players had to fight for their position and this all-Canadian team should be very proud that they won the Shield Cup: Canada 4-18 Britain 3-08.

Eastern Canadian team members were able to have the Cup visit their various GAA clubs throughout the spring of 2006. In early July the Shield Cup made its way out to Vancouver by airplane in time for their tournament, then the Cup was driven off to Calgary in August, and finally the Cup was taken to Edmonton in late August for a very historic occasion.

A presentation to the Edmonton team members was made at the Edmonton Irish Sports and Social Centre by the President of the GAA, Nicky Brennan, who was visiting Edmonton during the World Handball Championships. It was indeed a proud moment for all players and supporters of the Gaelic Games to have the first GAA President to visit Western Canada and salute members of the International Ladies team.

Gaelic Football is relatively unknown in Canada – but awareness is on the rise with the advent of school programmes aimed at teaching Gaelic Football to physical education classes in Ottawa and Toronto at both Primary and Secondary levels. The efforts to revive underage development is key to the future of Gaelic sport in Canada but the benefits of such development to long term league growth is still years away.

The woman's contribution to the leagues they participate in is also paramount – the ladies in Canada are not in the background but are in the forefront of game development, coordination and activity. They work just as hard to create club life and growth – which is always a challenge for women as commitments to family are often a priority.

So why do the Canadian ladies love Gaelic Football? The chance for a workout that isn't on a treadmill is always inviting, the complete lack of organized sport for women after college is another – and the final reason that Canadians have been quick to adopt is the love of the craic and the camaraderie off the field.

Finally, a request from Francis Quill and Pat Chapman of the Central Council History Sub-Committee seeking information on the Gaelic Games in Canada has sparked a major undertaking within the County to record the history of our Gaelic games of Hurling, Gaelic Football, Rounders and Handball. A written draft form presently stands at 70 pages with over 25,000 words.

Information/recollections/contacts from readers of the Ladies Football Annual are most welcomed. Knowledge of the Gaelic Games from certain provinces that are not well represented with historic material includes Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and the Territories. Certainly those who are familiar with the present day Canadian clubs are encouraged to contribute their memories.

[Gabriel_Hurl]

where'd you get this YBBI?

[youbetterbelieveit]

ladies gaa website.

[qwerty123]

I'm looking for advice on hurling teams in Toronto. Who's best to go to? Are all clubs dual in Toronto?