From Belgium to Brittany, the GAA is going all continental
Indeed, such was the certainty that we encouraged and aided the GAA abroad to invest in promoting activity at youth level, especially in America and England, to ensure its very survival.
In fact, while waiting for these Native Americans and English lads to develop, many overseas clubs went out of existence. The reason? Emigration had dried up to such an extent that they couldn’t field teams. But all’s changed again.
The strangulation of the Celtic Tiger and the collapse of the economy has created another brain drain and player drain from our shores. Recently, the Kerry County Board reported that up to 200 young players had departed the county in search of work in foreign fields. It’s a similarly depressing tale in other counties. Of course, statistics like these usually refer to young men. One can only assume that the similar numbers of young lady footballers and camogie players are on the one way ticket as well.
What can be done about it? Well, an amateur organisation run largely by volunteers can’t solve the jobs crisis in the country. Nevertheless, more and more people look with admiration to the GAA and, particularly, its ability to knit people together. Tapping into this spirit, the GAA could help bring communities together to explore avenues by which even temporary employment or work experience could be provided. Perhaps at national level, a few million euros could be set aside as matching funding to create jobs or internships in partnership with businesses or state agencies. It would be good if the GAA were to give the lead in exploring such options; certainly no organisation is better positioned to tap into the wealth of goodwill and willingness that exists at grass roots level.
Of course, those that do go abroad are going to strengthen the GAA diaspora enormously. Teams from New York and London will now become more competitive and may well take a big scalp in the Championship over the next few years.
There are, also other areas where Gaelic games are thriving, some because of emigration, others as a result of local initiatives.
As President of the GAA in Belgium, I have seen how the club in Brussels is developing. Even for young people, coming to Brussels from countries other than Ireland, they are joining the GAA club for the games, the social interaction and above all the networking opportunities it provides. Joining the GAA is seems is the thing to do — irrespective of where you’re from.
Another great development now taking place on continental Europe is the growth of Gaelic Games in parts of France. Brittany is a perfect example. There are 15 clubs and 250 adult players in this Celtic region. But now, due the generosity of the Dept of Foreign Affairs, a grant of €10,000 has been allocated under the Dion funding to promote Gaelic Football in the region over the next 12 months. It will involve coaching in schools and the involvement of Erasmus students from DCU who will help with coaching courses and training.
The Federation Francaise de Football Gaelique are certainly going places and hope to increase the number of clubs to 20 and playing numbers to 500 and provide coaching in 100 schools. That’s the way to do business. The GAA is certainly going continental.
