Underage ladies football development in Canada
May 28, 2012Currently, there are as many Ladies Footballers registered as men, 90% Canadian-born and, in the words of Irish Ambassador Ray Bassett, the country is now experiencing a 'major influx' of new Irish migrants. Writing in the programme for the Allstars game, he said that while it was extremely regrettable to see so many young people having to leave Ireland, Canada and the GAA 'have undoubtedly been the beneficiaries.'
Toronto Divisional Board Chairman Sean Harte points out that 2010 and 2011 were 'big years' in terms of the numbers arriving in the country and joining GAA clubs. "A lot of them stop in Toronto, a smaller amount head for Ottawa, but there is a large contingent in Vancouver where there is a lot of work,'' he commented.
"It is a huge boost to the clubs, although it's a controlled environment in that each club is allowed (only) seven sanctioned players. We have a nice mix of the young Irish that come out and play the game, the Irish that have been here a long time and the Canadians who get the opportunity to play along these guys and see the skills of the game.''
There is however, a problem in organising games because of the huge distances involved, as well as the cost factor. Harte explains that the furthest Toronto-based clubs travel would be to an affiliated club in Ottawa. "However, with the support and suggestion of the Ulster Council, we are going for an all-Canadian championship - right here in this part in September 2013.''
Toronto is twinned with the Ulster Council who provide referee tutors and coaching expertise and in general are 'very supportive' of Canadian GAA.
Having 'jumped' at the opportunity of hosting this year's Ladies Allstars tour, he said at a banquet after the Allstars game between the 2010 and 2011 Allstars had produced 'the best football ever seen in Canada.'
Admitting to 'massively missing' her involvement with Laois, Lorraine Muckian appreciates the support of the Irish Sports and Social club in Vancouver, saying: "I get my fix of Gaelic football from them!
"For years, if people were going to emigrate, they went to Toronto, but in the last two years there has been a huge influx of young Irish looking for jobs over in Vancouver. It's good in one way because it's nice to extend the Irish community. But there are a lot of people who aren't out by choice.''
The practical benefit is that playing numbers have increased dramatically, but the downside that there are limited opportunities for competitive games. "With our own club, we have been training almost six weeks and I think we had 57 at training one night. Logistically, that causes its own problems, but we are very lucky. We have three really good guys, so they divide the group into teams depending on ability and that makes it that bit easier. They have started up a city league and each group has a senior and a junior team. Some of the juniors are either Canadians who have never played the game or Irish people who last played when they were in primary school.
"Last year we had no competition. We trained twice a week and went down to Seattle for a game. Then there are the Western Canadian championships, which are being hosted in Vancouver. We are hoping that Edmonton, Calgary and maybe Seattle will send a team. They do try their best, but it's difficult, especially on the women's side.
"You'll find that seven or eight will come down so you can't even have full games. We try to mix the teams up and then get maybe 13-a-side across the board. Definitely the competition is the problem. Ultimately it's the grass roots you need - for people who come here to put down roots - but we are not there yet.''
*Today, the Allstars tour group travels to Niagara Falls and leaves Toronto tomorrow evening, returning on Thursday at lunch time. Tweet
