Western Divisional Board
Encyclopedia
The Western Canada Divisional Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association
is part of the Canadian County Board
and is responsible for Gaelic Games in Western Canada. The county board is also responsible for the football
, hurling
, camogie
and Ladies' Gaelic football
, known collectively as Gaelic games
. The Western Canada Divisional Board branch of the Gaelic Athletic Association was founded in May 2003.
should come under the wing of the GAA. It was founded in 2003 with 3 original member clubs.
The founding meeting of the Western Canada Divisional Board of the Canadian County Board was held in Edmonton, AB on the 31st of May 2003, attended by Brian Farmer & Diarmuid O Conner from Toronto GAA
, Christy Whelehan, Dannielle Finlay & Marvin Dentzien of Edmonton, John O Flynn, Kate McNamee, & Sean Quinn of Vancouver, and Frank Campbell, Ronan Deane & Leanne Niblock of Calgary.
2007 saw the reformation of the Red Deer Éire Óg
, in men's competition, with a team attending tournaments in Calgary (twice) and Edmonton, and hosting its own tournament. On January 22nd, 2008, the Western Canada Divisional Board unanimously voted for the club's addition to the Division and the Board was increased to seven officers, with one seat allocated to Red Deer (to reflect number of teams at the club).
2008 the new Red Deer Éire Óg team was joined in men's competition by the Vancouver Celts
. While the team was newly founded it had attended tournaments both sides of the Rockies in its first season, travelling to Calgary and winning the Vancouver Tournament. On January 21st, 2009, the Western Canada Divisional Board unanimously voted for the club's addition to the Division and the Board was increased to eight officers, with one seat allocated to Celts, who like Red Deer had only one competing team.
Each of these clubs has a Men's & Ladies' Team, with the exception of Vancouver Celts & Red Deer Éire Óg who only have Men's teams. These teams compete at various tournaments over the course of the summer months.
The Division is dedicated to improving the standard of competition and providing as many games as possible for the member clubs. For this reason, other clubs are invited to and attend these tournaments, even though they are
Each year member teams play in the Western Canadian Championships
. The Championships are played out in such a way that they does not undermine the spirit or competition of each city's own individual Gaelic Football tournaments. The Championships complement these vital tournaments.
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...
is part 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...
and is responsible for Gaelic Games in Western Canada. The county board is also responsible for the football
Gaelic 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...
, 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....
and Ladies' Gaelic football
Ladies' Gaelic football
Ladies' Gaelic football is a team sport for women, very similar to Gaelic football, and co-ordinated by the Ladies' Gaelic Football Association...
, known collectively as 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...
. The Western Canada Divisional Board branch of the Gaelic Athletic Association was founded in May 2003.
History
There was a need expressed by the clubs in British Columbia and Alberta that Gaelic Sports in Western CanadaGaelic Sports in Western Canada
The Irish have a long and rich history in Canada dating back centuries. The first recorded Irish presence in the area of present day Canada dates from 1536, when Irish fishermen from Cork travelled to Newfoundland....
should come under the wing of the GAA. It was founded in 2003 with 3 original member clubs.
The founding meeting of the Western Canada Divisional Board of the Canadian County Board was held in Edmonton, AB on the 31st of May 2003, attended by Brian Farmer & Diarmuid O Conner from Toronto GAA
Toronto GAA
The Toronto Division Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Toronto GAA is organisational board of the GAA outside Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in eastern Canada. The board is part of the Canadian County Board...
, Christy Whelehan, Dannielle Finlay & Marvin Dentzien of Edmonton, John O Flynn, Kate McNamee, & Sean Quinn of Vancouver, and Frank Campbell, Ronan Deane & Leanne Niblock of Calgary.
2007 saw the reformation of the Red Deer Éire Óg
Éire Óg (Red Deer)
Red Deer Éire Óg is a Gaelic football club started in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada in April 2007. It is made up of about 20 players.In 2008, the club became a member of Western Canada Division of the Canadian County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association....
, in men's competition, with a team attending tournaments in Calgary (twice) and Edmonton, and hosting its own tournament. On January 22nd, 2008, the Western Canada Divisional Board unanimously voted for the club's addition to the Division and the Board was increased to seven officers, with one seat allocated to Red Deer (to reflect number of teams at the club).
2008 the new Red Deer Éire Óg team was joined in men's competition by the Vancouver Celts
Vancouver Celts
The Vancouver Celts are a Gaelic football club based in Vancouver, Canada. They club represents the Vancouver Irish Sporting & Social Club. The club was formed to spread the playing pool in Vancouver, separating itself from its sister club, the Vancouver Harps...
. While the team was newly founded it had attended tournaments both sides of the Rockies in its first season, travelling to Calgary and winning the Vancouver Tournament. On January 21st, 2009, the Western Canada Divisional Board unanimously voted for the club's addition to the Division and the Board was increased to eight officers, with one seat allocated to Celts, who like Red Deer had only one competing team.
Clubs
- British ColumbiaBritish ColumbiaBritish Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
(2 Clubs)- Vancouver HarpsVancouver HarpsThe Vancouver Harps are a Gaelic football and Hurling club based in Vancouver, Canada. They club represents the Vancouver Irish Sporting & Social Club...
(the Vancouver Irish Sporting and Social ClubThe Vancouver Irish Sporting and Social ClubThe Vancouver Irish Sports & Social Club is a blend of new immigrants, second generation Irish descendants and other Canadians. Over the years, the ISSC have donated their time and efforts in support of many events that have come through Vancouver by the way of Ireland...
, ISSC) - Vancouver CeltsVancouver CeltsThe Vancouver Celts are a Gaelic football club based in Vancouver, Canada. They club represents the Vancouver Irish Sporting & Social Club. The club was formed to spread the playing pool in Vancouver, separating itself from its sister club, the Vancouver Harps...
(the Vancouver Irish Sporting and Social ClubThe Vancouver Irish Sporting and Social ClubThe Vancouver Irish Sports & Social Club is a blend of new immigrants, second generation Irish descendants and other Canadians. Over the years, the ISSC have donated their time and efforts in support of many events that have come through Vancouver by the way of Ireland...
, ISSC)
- Vancouver Harps
- Alberta (3 Clubs)
- Calgary ChieftainsCalgary ChieftainsThe Calgary Chieftains are an Gaelic football club based in Calgary, Canada. They play at the Calgary Canadian Irish Athletic Club grounds and are members of Western Divisional Board of the Canadian County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association....
- Edmonton Wolfe TonesEdmonton Wolfe TonesThe Edmonton Wolfe Tones are a Gaelic football club based in Edmonton, AB, Canada. They play during the summer months with a very active and vibrant group of people involved. The Wolfe Tones are members of Western Divisional Board of the Canadian County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association.Jack...
- Red Deer Éire ÓgÉire Óg (Red Deer)Red Deer Éire Óg is a Gaelic football club started in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada in April 2007. It is made up of about 20 players.In 2008, the club became a member of Western Canada Division of the Canadian County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association....
- Calgary Chieftains
Each of these clubs has a Men's & Ladies' Team, with the exception of Vancouver Celts & Red Deer Éire Óg who only have Men's teams. These teams compete at various tournaments over the course of the summer months.
The Division is dedicated to improving the standard of competition and providing as many games as possible for the member clubs. For this reason, other clubs are invited to and attend these tournaments, even though they are
- not affiliated with the Western Canada Division, (e.g. Lethbridge Laochra, Seattle Gaels, Fort McMurray, Vancouver Irish, Howe Sound, Lethbridge), or
- not affiliated with the GAA (Vancouver CougarsVancouver CougarsThe Vancouver Cougars are members of the Australian Football League Canada and compete in the North West Pacific Australian Football League.The club was founded in Vancouver, Canada on January 15, 2001, becoming the first ever Aussie Rules club in the city of Vancouver.-History:Club founders James...
, Calgary KangaroosCalgary KangaroosThe Calgary Kangaroos are an Australian rules football club based in Calgary, Canada. They play at the Calgary Rugby Union and are members of AFL Canada....
, & Calgary KookaburrasCalgary KookaburrasThe Calgary Kookaburras are a ladies Australian rules football club based in Calgary, Canada. They play at the Queen Elizabeth School, Hillhurst and are members of AFL Canada. They were the first women's football club formed in Canada.-History:...
Australian rules footballAustralian rules footballAustralian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
teams).
Each year member teams play in the Western Canadian Championships
Western Canadian Championships
The Western Canadian Championship is a Gaelic football championship tournament of the Western Divisional Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association, played every year in British Columbia and Alberta, Canada...
. The Championships are played out in such a way that they does not undermine the spirit or competition of each city's own individual Gaelic Football tournaments. The Championships complement these vital tournaments.
Board Members
The Board is made up of Representatives from each of the Member Clubs (with each club allocated a member to every team that club has competing in the Championship). Up until the end of the 2007 season that meant that the three founding member clubs had two board members each. In January 2008, with the arrival of Red Deer (with only a men's team), and in January 2009, with the arrival of the Vancouver Celts (also with only a men's team), the eight person board is broken out as follows: Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer & 5 Members-at-Large.2011 Board
In 2011, the Western Canada Divisional Board comprises the following:- Barry Sinclair (Chairman) & Chris Edwards (Member-at-Large) from the Calgary ChieftainsCalgary ChieftainsThe Calgary Chieftains are an Gaelic football club based in Calgary, Canada. They play at the Calgary Canadian Irish Athletic Club grounds and are members of Western Divisional Board of the Canadian County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association....
- Rory Lynch (Secretary) from the Red Deer Éire ÓgÉire Óg (Red Deer)Red Deer Éire Óg is a Gaelic football club started in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada in April 2007. It is made up of about 20 players.In 2008, the club became a member of Western Canada Division of the Canadian County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association....
- Kim Budd (Treasurer) & t.b.d. (Member-at-Large) from the Edmonton Wolfe TonesEdmonton Wolfe TonesThe Edmonton Wolfe Tones are a Gaelic football club based in Edmonton, AB, Canada. They play during the summer months with a very active and vibrant group of people involved. The Wolfe Tones are members of Western Divisional Board of the Canadian County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association.Jack...
- Billy Quinlan & Jerry McCarthy (Members-at-Large) from the Vancouver HarpsVancouver HarpsThe Vancouver Harps are a Gaelic football and Hurling club based in Vancouver, Canada. They club represents the Vancouver Irish Sporting & Social Club...
- Ronan Deane (Member-at-Large) from the Vancouver CeltsVancouver CeltsThe Vancouver Celts are a Gaelic football club based in Vancouver, Canada. They club represents the Vancouver Irish Sporting & Social Club. The club was formed to spread the playing pool in Vancouver, separating itself from its sister club, the Vancouver Harps...
2010 Board
In 2010, the Western Canada Divisional Board comprised the following:- Ronan Deane (Chairman) & Jerry McCarthy (Member-at-Large) from the Vancouver HarpsVancouver HarpsThe Vancouver Harps are a Gaelic football and Hurling club based in Vancouver, Canada. They club represents the Vancouver Irish Sporting & Social Club...
- Kim Budd (Treasurer) & Brian Daly (Member-at-Large) from the Edmonton Wolfe TonesEdmonton Wolfe TonesThe Edmonton Wolfe Tones are a Gaelic football club based in Edmonton, AB, Canada. They play during the summer months with a very active and vibrant group of people involved. The Wolfe Tones are members of Western Divisional Board of the Canadian County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association.Jack...
- Eamonn O'Keeffe & Barry Sinclair (Member-at-Large) from the Calgary ChieftainsCalgary ChieftainsThe Calgary Chieftains are an Gaelic football club based in Calgary, Canada. They play at the Calgary Canadian Irish Athletic Club grounds and are members of Western Divisional Board of the Canadian County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association....
- Rory Lynch (Secretary) from the Red Deer Éire ÓgÉire Óg (Red Deer)Red Deer Éire Óg is a Gaelic football club started in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada in April 2007. It is made up of about 20 players.In 2008, the club became a member of Western Canada Division of the Canadian County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association....
- Cathal O'Loughlin (Member-at-Large) from the Vancouver CeltsVancouver CeltsThe Vancouver Celts are a Gaelic football club based in Vancouver, Canada. They club represents the Vancouver Irish Sporting & Social Club. The club was formed to spread the playing pool in Vancouver, separating itself from its sister club, the Vancouver Harps...
2009 Board
In 2009, the Western Canada Divisional Board comprises the following:- Ronan Deane (Chairman) & Conor Walshe (Member-at-Large) from the Vancouver HarpsVancouver HarpsThe Vancouver Harps are a Gaelic football and Hurling club based in Vancouver, Canada. They club represents the Vancouver Irish Sporting & Social Club...
- Kim Budd (Treasurer) & Brian Daly (Member-at-Large) from the Edmonton Wolfe TonesEdmonton Wolfe TonesThe Edmonton Wolfe Tones are a Gaelic football club based in Edmonton, AB, Canada. They play during the summer months with a very active and vibrant group of people involved. The Wolfe Tones are members of Western Divisional Board of the Canadian County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association.Jack...
- Adrian Lagan & Barry Sinclair (Member-at-Large) from the Calgary ChieftainsCalgary ChieftainsThe Calgary Chieftains are an Gaelic football club based in Calgary, Canada. They play at the Calgary Canadian Irish Athletic Club grounds and are members of Western Divisional Board of the Canadian County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association....
- Rory Lynch (Secretary) from the Red Deer Éire ÓgÉire Óg (Red Deer)Red Deer Éire Óg is a Gaelic football club started in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada in April 2007. It is made up of about 20 players.In 2008, the club became a member of Western Canada Division of the Canadian County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association....
- Peter Agnew (Member-at-Large) from the Vancouver CeltsVancouver CeltsThe Vancouver Celts are a Gaelic football club based in Vancouver, Canada. They club represents the Vancouver Irish Sporting & Social Club. The club was formed to spread the playing pool in Vancouver, separating itself from its sister club, the Vancouver Harps...
2008 Board
In 2008, the Western Canada Divisional Board comprised the following:- Ronan Deane (Chairman) & Kate Clark (Member-at-Large) from the Vancouver HarpsVancouver HarpsThe Vancouver Harps are a Gaelic football and Hurling club based in Vancouver, Canada. They club represents the Vancouver Irish Sporting & Social Club...
- Sky Johnston (Treasurer) & Kim Budd (Secretary) from the Edmonton Wolfe TonesEdmonton Wolfe TonesThe Edmonton Wolfe Tones are a Gaelic football club based in Edmonton, AB, Canada. They play during the summer months with a very active and vibrant group of people involved. The Wolfe Tones are members of Western Divisional Board of the Canadian County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association.Jack...
- Calum Bonnington & Gary McCaffrey (Member-at-Large) from the Calgary ChieftainsCalgary ChieftainsThe Calgary Chieftains are an Gaelic football club based in Calgary, Canada. They play at the Calgary Canadian Irish Athletic Club grounds and are members of Western Divisional Board of the Canadian County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association....
- Fergus Lynch (Member-at-Large) from the Red Deer Éire ÓgÉire Óg (Red Deer)Red Deer Éire Óg is a Gaelic football club started in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada in April 2007. It is made up of about 20 players.In 2008, the club became a member of Western Canada Division of the Canadian County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association....
2007 Board
- Ronan Deane (Chairman) & Erin McGinley (Member-at-Large) from the Vancouver HarpsVancouver HarpsThe Vancouver Harps are a Gaelic football and Hurling club based in Vancouver, Canada. They club represents the Vancouver Irish Sporting & Social Club...
- Danielle Bodnarek (Treasurer) & Sky Johnston (Member-at-Large) from the Edmonton Wolfe TonesEdmonton Wolfe TonesThe Edmonton Wolfe Tones are a Gaelic football club based in Edmonton, AB, Canada. They play during the summer months with a very active and vibrant group of people involved. The Wolfe Tones are members of Western Divisional Board of the Canadian County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association.Jack...
- Calum Bonnington (Secretary) & Laura Olson (Member-at-Large) from the Calgary ChieftainsCalgary ChieftainsThe Calgary Chieftains are an Gaelic football club based in Calgary, Canada. They play at the Calgary Canadian Irish Athletic Club grounds and are members of Western Divisional Board of the Canadian County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association....
2006 Board
- John O Flynn (Chairman) & Ronan Deane (Secretary) from the Vancouver HarpsVancouver HarpsThe Vancouver Harps are a Gaelic football and Hurling club based in Vancouver, Canada. They club represents the Vancouver Irish Sporting & Social Club...
- Danielle Bodnarek (Treasurer) & John O'Connor (Member-at-Large) from the Edmonton Wolfe TonesEdmonton Wolfe TonesThe Edmonton Wolfe Tones are a Gaelic football club based in Edmonton, AB, Canada. They play during the summer months with a very active and vibrant group of people involved. The Wolfe Tones are members of Western Divisional Board of the Canadian County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association.Jack...
- Kim Tulloch & Adrian Lagan (Members-at-Large) from the Calgary ChieftainsCalgary ChieftainsThe Calgary Chieftains are an Gaelic football club based in Calgary, Canada. They play at the Calgary Canadian Irish Athletic Club grounds and are members of Western Divisional Board of the Canadian County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association....
2005 Board
- John O Flynn (Chairman) & Ronan Deane (Secretary) from the Vancouver HarpsVancouver HarpsThe Vancouver Harps are a Gaelic football and Hurling club based in Vancouver, Canada. They club represents the Vancouver Irish Sporting & Social Club...
- Danielle Bodnarek (Treasurer) & John O'Connor (Member-at-Large) from the Edmonton Wolfe TonesEdmonton Wolfe TonesThe Edmonton Wolfe Tones are a Gaelic football club based in Edmonton, AB, Canada. They play during the summer months with a very active and vibrant group of people involved. The Wolfe Tones are members of Western Divisional Board of the Canadian County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association.Jack...
- Noel Tuohy & Adrian Lagan (Members-at-Large) from the Calgary ChieftainsCalgary ChieftainsThe Calgary Chieftains are an Gaelic football club based in Calgary, Canada. They play at the Calgary Canadian Irish Athletic Club grounds and are members of Western Divisional Board of the Canadian County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association....
2004 Board
- John O Flynn (Chairman) & Sean Quinn (Member at Large) from the Vancouver HarpsVancouver HarpsThe Vancouver Harps are a Gaelic football and Hurling club based in Vancouver, Canada. They club represents the Vancouver Irish Sporting & Social Club...
- Ronan Deane (Secretary) & Frank Campbell (Member-at-Large) from the Calgary ChieftainsCalgary ChieftainsThe Calgary Chieftains are an Gaelic football club based in Calgary, Canada. They play at the Calgary Canadian Irish Athletic Club grounds and are members of Western Divisional Board of the Canadian County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association....
- Danielle Bodnarek (Treasurer) & John O'Connor (Member-at-Large) from the Edmonton Wolfe TonesEdmonton Wolfe TonesThe Edmonton Wolfe Tones are a Gaelic football club based in Edmonton, AB, Canada. They play during the summer months with a very active and vibrant group of people involved. The Wolfe Tones are members of Western Divisional Board of the Canadian County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association.Jack...
External links
- http://www.westerncanadagaa.co.nr/