Saw this on Joe. Read about the the GAA’s plan of action recently on this. Gaelic Football would easier to spread around the world obviously due to it’s simple skills. Hurling would require one hell of an effort.
Pity Ireland were never a superpower and invaded a few countries to spread gaelic games the same way soccer spread throughout the world in British clonies.
There’s quite a bit of it to read, apologies.
Wexford v Barcelona could happen yet!
By Denis O’Brien
One day in the not too distant future the idea of International GAA matches might change from mere dreamtime to becoming reality.
Instead of the only show in town being the Aussies taking on the Irish in a foreign game – International Rules ain’t exactly home baked – we could see in its place the real deal, the likes of Ireland taking on an All Britain or Europe team in Gaelic football.
Surely I jest, you protest!
To explain - At the moment the GAA is undertaking its biggest effort yet to introduce and develop Gaelic games around the globe. Whatever about complacency in the past in such efforts, practical steps to develop Gaelic sports have been initiated within the past two years.
Worldwide plan of action
In tangent to the steps being taken – we’ll get to those in a minute - part of any worldwide development equation has to involve a certain plan of action. You see, for the best part of …well…126 years…such a plan, any plan had been missing.
Now, however, that has changed, as at present, a certain strategic world vision plan is being hatched. This is taking place in conjunction with GAA clubs all over the world and it is hoped to unveil the plan to the GAA world sometime next Spring.
Two elements for the foundation of such a plan were laid during Sean Kelly’s reign as GAA President. The first saw the introduction of the Provincial Council Twinning Programme. This saw provincial councils ‘partnering’ with international units offering refereeing, coaching and administrative courses and clinics to the five GAA Overseas units.
The arrangement sees North America twin with Munster GAA; UK and New York with Connacht GAA; Europe, Asia and Australasia (Australia & New Zealand) with Leinster GAA, while Canada, London and Warwickshire hurling have entered into a partnership with Ulster GAA.
Collaboration with Department of Foreign Affairs
The second step in the foundation for a plan sees one of the most ambitious developments ever initiated by the GAA since its birth. In 2007, The Department of Foreign Affairs launched a new policy aimed at financially assisting the Irish Diaspora abroad.
In turn, the GAA teamed up with the department and they invested €250,000 each to assist GAA activities on a global basis. Since the program’s commencement, the joint funding has been used for varied purposes. One of the most exciting of these endeavours has been the employment of 10 Community Development Administrators (CDA), whose job is to introduce and promote Gaelic games to communities in each of the seven county board regions of Britain.
The new officers give coaching clinics within clubs, schools and universities. The hope is to grow games participation, improve club player levels and introduce a structured approach to Gaelic games into schools throughout the UK.
United Kingdom
The programme has been a phenomenal success, as in the past two years in London alone, both hurling and football activities are taking place in no less than 63 schools across the city. Another success of the programme has been the introduction of Gaelic games to universities and colleges the length and breadth of Britain.
Associated with the GAA for the past 50 years in the UK, London GAA Chairman Tommy Harrell stated in a recent interview that the introduction of Gaelic games to London schools was very positive as it “had never happened before”. The spread of games into universities has also witnessed rapid growth. The GAA’s UK Universities programme has seen it grow from a one-tier competition in men’s Gaelic football to today’s three division February championship.
Last year, a total of 40 teams competed in the finals with 24 teams alone at Division 3 level - that is mostly University teams with a non-Irish makeup. Already this year, there are three more college teams competing at present in the early league. The university setup also sees 25 ladies football teams, along with twelve in hurling and seven in camogie, taking part in competition.
Community Development Administrator, Shane O’Hanlon, who is responsible for games development at University level, is excited about the future. “There has been a further increase in teams this year, so we are getting busier all the time,” he said recently.
GAA Overseas Chairman and former President of the GAA Joe McDonagh is delighted with developments in Britain, saying:
“The community development officers have been doing outstanding work, and particularly in the universities where there has been huge growth. The programme is one of the most exciting developments seen in the GAA in some time.” He added that the strategic alliance with the Department of Foreign Affairs has been “hugely beneficial.”
