Canadian GAA

The Canadian GAA is responsible for Gaelic games across Canada,[1] overseeing approximately 20 clubs.[2][3] It has the same status as one of the county boards of Ireland and is one of over thirty regional GAA executive boards throughout the world. The board is responsible for Gaelic football, hurling, camogie and ladies' Gaelic football teams in Canada. The GAA sends a Canadian team to the GAA World Championships.[4]

Canada GAA
Irish:Ceanada CLG
Nickname(s):The Maple Leaf County
County colours:Light blue, white
Dominant sport:Gaelic football
Standard kit
Regular kit

History

Gaelic games have been played in Canada since before the foundation of the Gaelic Athletic Association in the 1880s, with some sources indicating that hurling games were played in St. John's, Newfoundland in the late 18th century.[5] From the formation of the American County Board in the 1950s, Canadian teams competed alongside teams from the United States.[5] A separate and distinct Canadian County Board was founded in November 1987,[6] and now represents upwards of 20 clubs within Canada.[2]

In 2017, Jim Kelly, the Irish ambassador to Canada, said that the "GAA in Canada continues to grow and flourish, bringing together people of all backgrounds to learn and love our national games, to develop a deep sense of community, and to build a strong connection with Ireland".[7]

Organization

The Canadian County Board of the GAA has overall control of GAA activities in Canada and is organised into three divisional boards.[8] These boards, representing different areas of Canada, include the Toronto Board, Western Divisional Board and Eastern Canada GAA Board.[9]

Toronto Board

Established in 1947,[10] the Toronto (or Central) Board covers teams in the Greater Toronto Area.

The Toronto GAA divisional board organizes Gaelic games clubs and competitions in the Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal areas, which includes 6 Men's Gaelic football teams, 5 Ladies Gaelic football teams, 2 hurling teams, 2 camogie teams and 3 minor programs.[10]

Western Division

Founded in May 2003, the Western Division covers Gaelic Athletics Activities in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.

Many of the clubs in the division have field both men's and ladies' teams. Other clubs are also invited to attend tournaments, even though they are not affiliated with the division, (e.g. Lethbridge Laochra, Seattle Gaels, Fort McMurray, Vancouver Irish, etc), or not affiliated with the GAA (e.g. Vancouver Cougars, Calgary Kangaroos, and Calgary Kookaburras Australian rules football teams).

The main competition in the Western Division is the Western Canadian Championship. Teams also play in local competitions, including the Alberta Cup,[11] which serves as a feeder to the Championship, and is hosted by the individual teams themselves.[12]

Eastern Division

Established in 2014,[2] the Eastern Division covers eastern Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and PEI.

The primary competition of the Eastern Division is the Eastern Canadian Championships. This competition was first established in 2014, and held in Newfoundland.[13] In 2017, youth games were included at the Championships held in Ottawa.[7]

Clubs
Clubs of the CGAA
Division Team Province Year Established
Western Canada Fort McMurray Shamrocks[14] Alberta
Edmonton Wolfe Tones[14] Alberta
Calgary Chieftains/Chieftainettes[14] Alberta 1977
Red Deer Éire Óg[15] Alberta
Calgary Fianna Alberta
Vancouver Harps (ISSC) British Columbia
Vancouver Celts (ISSC) British Columbia
Vancouver Éire Óg British Columbia
Cú Chulainns British Columbia
JP Ryans (ISSC) British Columbia
St Finnian's British Columbia
Fraser Valley Gaels[16] British Columbia
Winnipeg Trinity Manitoba
Regina Gaels Saskatchewan
Toronto
(Central Canada)		 St. Michael's[17] Ontario
St. Vincents[17] Ontario
Clann na nGael Ontario
Durham Robert Emmets Ontario
Na Piasaigh Ontario 2010[18]
St. Pat's Canadians Ontario 1968[19]
Toronto Camogie Ontario
Toronto Chieftains Ontario
Toronto Gaels Ontario 1987[20]
Eastern Canada Halifax Gaels[4] Nova Scotia
Ottawa Gaels[4] Ontario
Eire Og Ottawa Ontario
PEI Celts [21][13] Prince Edward Island 2015
Quebec City Patriotes[4] Quebec
Montreal Shamrocks[4] Quebec 1948

See also

References
  1. Murray, Robert (2013-08-19). "Shamrocks try their hand at hurling". Fort McMurray Today. Retrieved 2020-07-03.
  2. "World GAA - Canada". gaa.ie. Gaelic Athletic Association. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  3. Lawlor, Damian (24 June 2020). "Milestone day for GAA clubs as pitches re-open". RTÉ.ie. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
  4. "Gaelic football provides opportunity of a lifetime for three West Prince women". www.theguardian.pe.ca. 26 July 2019. Retrieved 2020-07-14.
  5. "USGAA History". usgaa.org. US Gaelic Athletic Association. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  6. "About Us - GAA in Canada". gaelicgamescanada.com. Canadian Gaelic Athletic Association. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  7. Whan, Christopher (2017-08-28). "Eastern Canadian GAA Championships coming to Twin Elm rugby park Sept. 2". InsideOttawaValley.com. Retrieved 2020-07-14.
  8. "Divisional". gaelicgamescanada.com. Canadian Gaelic Athletic Association. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  9. Harding, Gail (Aug 31, 2018). "P.E.I. women's Gaelic football team to play debut games this weekend". CBC News.
  10. "About the Toronto GAA". torontogaa.com. Toronto GAA. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  11. "A piece of Ireland found in Red Deer". Red Deer Advocate. 2013-04-05. Retrieved 2020-07-14.
  12. Howlett, Trevor (2013-05-30). "Shamrocks bringing Gaelic football tournament to Fort McMurray". Fort McMurray Today. Retrieved 2020-07-14.
  13. "Gaelic football/hurling Eastern Canadians takes place Saturday". www.theguardian.pe.ca. 31 August 2018. Retrieved 2020-07-14.
  14. Howlett, Trevor (2013-03-19). "Shamrocks to offer second Irish sport". Fort McMurray Today. Retrieved 2020-07-03.
  15. "A piece of Ireland found in Red Deer". Red Deer Advocate. 2013-04-05. Retrieved 2020-07-03.
  16. McNulty, Chris (2017-09-09). "Former Letterkenny Gael Adam Moore captains Vancouver to North..." Donegal Daily. Retrieved 2020-07-03.
  17. "Clean sweep for St Mikes in Toronto | GaelicSportsCast". www.gaelicsportscast.com. Retrieved 2020-07-03.
  18. "Around the World in 80 Clubs: Na Piarsaigh CLG, Toronto (#53)". JOE.ie. Retrieved 2020-07-15.
  19. "Around the World in 80 Clubs: St. Pat's Canadians, Toronto (#54)". JOE.ie. Retrieved 2020-07-15.
  20. "Around the World in 80 Clubs: Toronto Gaels, Canada (#58)". JOE.ie. Retrieved 2020-07-15.
  21. Sinclair, Jesara (May 2, 2016). "P.E.I.'s Gaelic Football Club, PEI Celts, win first game". CBC News.
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