North American GAA
Encyclopedia
The North American County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association
(GAA) or North American GAA is one of the boards of the GAA outside Ireland
, and is responsible for Gaelic games
in the United States of America, excluding the New York metropolitan
region, which is under the control of the New York GAA
. The board is also responsible for the American inter-county teams in the USA outside of New York City. It is referred to as a 'County Board' because it sits at the same level in the GAA hierarchy as the County Boards in Ireland, even though its geographical area is much larger than an actual county.
and Gaelic football
have been played in North America
ever since Irish immigrants began landing on North American shores. The earliest games of hurling in North America were played in St. John's, Newfoundland in 1788, and there are records of football being played in Hyde Park (now the site of the Civic Center
) in San Francisco as early as the 1850s. There are established clubs in the cities that traditionally have a large Irish population, such as New York, Chicago
, Philadelphia
, San Francisco
, and Boston
.
When the North American county board was formed it included Canadian clubs in its area of control. However these clubs are now under the control of the Canadian county board
In recent years, hurling has started to enjoy support in several other U.S. cities, as evidenced by the establishment of the Milwaukee Hurling Club
in 1995 and later the Twin Cities Hurling Club (MN). Other clubs include the St. Louis Gaelic Athletic Club, the Denver Gaels, the Greenville Gaels, the Orlando Hurling Club and the Seattle Gaels. Hurling is also starting to gather support at the club level at some universities, such as at Purdue University
and Stanford University
since 2005, California State University at Monterey Bay
since 2006, and UC Berkeley since 2008.
Gaelic Football has also taken an interest amongst Universities in America. Saint Joseph's University, Villanova University, and Drexel University all hope to get their club programs rolling soon in Philadelphia.
GAA club officials recruit young Irish people who are visiting North America and will sometimes help them to find summer work. Some clubs operate with a core of Irish-born or Irish-American players who raise funds to invite players from Ireland
for the summer. A debate is currently going on in the GAA about concerns about this practice, which some say should be phased out in favour of promoting the game among people who actually live in North America. Advocates say that inviting players is the only way to reach the numbers necessary to field a team, and to draw large crowds to the games. Critics say that the money spent inviting players would be better spent getting local people into the game, and would result in a stronger game in the long run. Most newer clubs have never practiced this policy and are focused on building the sport in the United States, while many longer running clubs continue to rely on international recruiting.
This trend has been partially offset by growth in smaller cities. The GAA in the North American County Board area is moving into a new era where the games are being spread beyond the Irish community. Youth programs are springing up across the country, as are adult clubs consisting of American-born players who don't necessarily have any Irish connections but love the games on their own merits (Cite?). The youth programs in particular are experiencing huge growth thanks to the success of the Continental Youth Championship
.
, hurling
and camogie
champions of the different regions in the United States
, to determine the NACB champions. Play off locations:
It involves under age teams from all three of the GAA jurisdictions in North America playing football, hurling, ladies' football, and camogie at all ages from Under 8 to Under 18.
Gaelic Athletic Association
The Gaelic Athletic Association is an amateur Irish and international cultural and sporting organisation focused primarily on promoting Gaelic games, which include the traditional Irish sports of hurling, camogie, Gaelic football, handball and rounders...
(GAA) or North American GAA is one of the boards of the GAA outside Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, and is responsible for Gaelic games
Gaelic games
Gaelic games are sports played in Ireland under the auspices of the Gaelic Athletic Association. The two main games are Gaelic football and hurling...
in the United States of America, excluding the New York metropolitan
New York metropolitan area
The New York metropolitan area, also known as Greater New York, or the Tri-State area, is the region that composes of New York City and the surrounding region...
region, which is under the control of the New York GAA
New York GAA
The New York County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or New York GAA, is one of the county boards of the Gaelic Athletic Association outside Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in the New York metropolitan area...
. The board is also responsible for the American inter-county teams in the USA outside of New York City. It is referred to as a 'County Board' because it sits at the same level in the GAA hierarchy as the County Boards in Ireland, even though its geographical area is much larger than an actual county.
History
HurlingHurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
and Gaelic football
Gaelic football
Gaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
have been played in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
ever since Irish immigrants began landing on North American shores. The earliest games of hurling in North America were played in St. John's, Newfoundland in 1788, and there are records of football being played in Hyde Park (now the site of the Civic Center
Civic Center, San Francisco, California
The Civic Center in San Francisco, California, is an area of a few blocks north of the intersection of Market Street and Van Ness Avenue that contains many of the city's largest government and cultural institutions. It has two large plazas and a number of buildings in classical architectural style...
) in San Francisco as early as the 1850s. There are established clubs in the cities that traditionally have a large Irish population, such as New York, Chicago
Central Division Board
The Central Divisional Board of the North American GAA is the governing body of hurling, camogie, and gaelic football in an area centered on Chicago. It is affiliated to the North American Board, and its territory was expanded in 2006 to include Milwaukee. Its headquarters are at Gaelic Park, a...
, Philadelphia
Philadelphia Division Board
The Philadelphia Divisional Board of the North American GAA is the governing body of hurling, camogie, and Gaelic football in the Philadelphia metropolitan area. It is affiliated to the North American Board...
, San Francisco
Western Division Board
The Western Divisional Board of the North American GAA colloquially San Francisco GAA is the governing body of hurling, camogie, and Gaelic football in the San Francisco Bay Area...
, and Boston
Northeast Division Board
The Northeast Divisional Board of the North American GAA is the governing body of hurling, camogie, and Gaelic football in the Boston metropolitan area of Massachusetts. It is affiliated to the North American Board, and is the largest division in the NACB...
.
When the North American county board was formed it included Canadian clubs in its area of control. However these clubs are now under the control of the Canadian county board
Canada GAA
The Canadian County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Canada GAA, is one of the county boards of the GAA outside Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games all across Canada. The county board is also responsible for Canadian inter county teams-History:Gaelic games have been played...
In recent years, hurling has started to enjoy support in several other U.S. cities, as evidenced by the establishment of the Milwaukee Hurling Club
Milwaukee Hurling Club
The Milwaukee Hurling Club has promoted the sport of hurling through education and game play since 1996.The Milwaukee Hurling Club first introduced the sport of hurling to Milwaukee in 1996 with 30 members. In 1997, four teams were formed and this enabled the club to hold regular games. From 1998...
in 1995 and later the Twin Cities Hurling Club (MN). Other clubs include the St. Louis Gaelic Athletic Club, the Denver Gaels, the Greenville Gaels, the Orlando Hurling Club and the Seattle Gaels. Hurling is also starting to gather support at the club level at some universities, such as at Purdue University
Purdue University
Purdue University, located in West Lafayette, Indiana, U.S., is the flagship university of the six-campus Purdue University system. Purdue was founded on May 6, 1869, as a land-grant university when the Indiana General Assembly, taking advantage of the Morrill Act, accepted a donation of land and...
and Stanford University
Stanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
since 2005, California State University at Monterey Bay
California State University, Monterey Bay
California State University, Monterey Bay is a small public university in the California State University system on the site of the former U.S. Army base Fort Ord, on the Central Coast of California. It is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.CSUMB was founded in 1994 with...
since 2006, and UC Berkeley since 2008.
Gaelic Football has also taken an interest amongst Universities in America. Saint Joseph's University, Villanova University, and Drexel University all hope to get their club programs rolling soon in Philadelphia.
GAA club officials recruit young Irish people who are visiting North America and will sometimes help them to find summer work. Some clubs operate with a core of Irish-born or Irish-American players who raise funds to invite players from Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
for the summer. A debate is currently going on in the GAA about concerns about this practice, which some say should be phased out in favour of promoting the game among people who actually live in North America. Advocates say that inviting players is the only way to reach the numbers necessary to field a team, and to draw large crowds to the games. Critics say that the money spent inviting players would be better spent getting local people into the game, and would result in a stronger game in the long run. Most newer clubs have never practiced this policy and are focused on building the sport in the United States, while many longer running clubs continue to rely on international recruiting.
Early 21st century
The GAA in North America became the victim of two major developments in the early 21st century. One was the security clampdown that followed the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and the other is the massive growth in the Irish 'Celtic Tiger' economy. These two factors have led to a reduction in the number of people travelling from Ireland to the U.S., and it has become difficult for many Irish people to stay in the country illegally. Additionally, many Irish emigrants are returning to Ireland, where they can now enjoy a high standard of living that wasn't available to earlier generations. These factors have reduced the number of people playing GAA in larger U.S. cities.This trend has been partially offset by growth in smaller cities. The GAA in the North American County Board area is moving into a new era where the games are being spread beyond the Irish community. Youth programs are springing up across the country, as are adult clubs consisting of American-born players who don't necessarily have any Irish connections but love the games on their own merits (Cite?). The youth programs in particular are experiencing huge growth thanks to the success of the Continental Youth Championship
Continental Youth Championship
The Continental Youth Championship is an annual weekend tournament of gaelic football and hurling organized by the Gaelic Athletic Association. It is contested by teams from the USA and Canada, and is a separate competition from the existing youth championships in the New York, Canadian, and NACB...
.
NACB Championship Play-offs
Each year on Labor Day weekend, the North American Board holds a championship between the North American clubs in all U.S. cities where there are GAA-affiliated clubs (except for New York city). Playoffs are held between the Gaelic footballGaelic football
Gaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
, hurling
Hurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
and camogie
Camogie
Camogie is an Irish stick-and-ball team sport played by women; it is almost identical to the game of hurling played by men. Camogie is played by 100,000 women in Ireland and world wide, largely among Irish communities....
champions of the different regions in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, to determine the NACB champions. Play off locations:
- 2011 San Francisco
- 2010 Chicago
- 2009 Boston
- 2008 Boston
- 2007 Chicago
- 2006 Philadelphia
- 2005 Philadelphia
- 2004 Denver
- 2003 Boston
- 2002 Chicago
- 2001 San Francisco
- 2000
- 1999 Chicago
- 1998 Rockville, MD (near Washington DC)
Grades
The championships are divided into different grades.- Men:
- North American Senior Football ChampionshipNorth American Senior Football ChampionshipThe North American Senior Football Championship is a competition run by North American GAA between Gaelic football teams from various cities in the United States. Generally, teams come from Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia and San Francisco. The 2011 finals were held in San Francisco.-References:***...
- North American Intermediate Football Championship
- North American Junior A Football Championship
- North American Junior B Football Championship
- North American Junior C Football Championship
- North American Junior D Football Championship
- North American Senior Hurling ChampionshipNorth American Senior Hurling ChampionshipThe North American Senior Hurling Championship is a competition run by North American GAA between hurling teams from various cities in the United States. Generally, teams come from Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia and San Francisco.-Roll of honour:...
- North American Junior A Hurling Championship
- North American Junior B Hurling Championship
- North American Junior C Hurling Championship
- North American Senior Football Championship
- Ladies:
- North American Senior Ladies Football Championship
- North American Intermediate Ladies Football Championship
- North American Junior A Ladies Football Championship
- North American Junior B Ladies Football Championship
- North American Senior Camogie Championship
- North American Junior Camogie Championship
The Continental Youth Championships
The Continental Youth Championship (CYC) began in 2004. This is an annual weekend tournament that takes place in various cities from year to year. Venues:- 2004 - New York
- 2005 - San Francisco
- 2006 - Boston
- 2007 - Chicago
- 2008 - Philadelphia
- 2009 - San Francisco
- 2010 - New York
- 2011 - Boston
It involves under age teams from all three of the GAA jurisdictions in North America playing football, hurling, ladies' football, and camogie at all ages from Under 8 to Under 18.
Clubs
In 2005 in the NACB area, there were 110 adult clubs and 14 Youth clubs playing Football, Hurling or Camogie in the US outside New York City. These clubs participated in Divisional Championship competitions to qualify for the North American Finals in their respective sport and grade of competition. As of 2005, Gaelic games were being organized and played in over 30 cities across the US, including:- Akron, Albany, Albuquerque, Atlanta
- Baltimore, Boston, Buffalo, Burlingame
- Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland
- Denver, Detroit
- Fort Lauderdale
- Greenville, South Carolina
- Kansas City
- Indianapolis
- Los Angeles
- Milwaukee
- New Hampshire
- Oakland, Orange County
- Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Portland, Portland ME
- Rochester
- St. Louis, St. Paul MN, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, South Bend, Syracuse
- Waukesha, Washington DC, Worcester, MA