Post by Walter Mitty on Dec 20, 2016 16:13:43 GMT
The below is an effort to highlight to any man OR women who is heading to Australia (or if you know anyone travelling and soon to be in Melbourne) pass on their contact details) the possibility of playing Gaelic Football and the massive benefits that come with it should they be considering moving to Australia (and in particular my own city of Melbourne). This is in no way related to the debate on mark O Connor. This is aimed at people who have already made up their minds in heading to Melbourne in the new year:)
As clubs in Ireland return to the fields for pre-season training, the turn of the year also sees clubs throughout Australia, and in particular Melbourne commence pre-season training. Its definitely more sun cream and sleeveless tops than underarmour and gloves and is a great way to get the body back in some form of shape after the Christmas period. Battling it out in the white hot heat of a Malbourne summer, the early season training is geared towards the Padraig Pearses 7s tournament in mid February - with 50 clubs competing across the 4 codes, it brings over 2,000 people including players to Gaelic Park just south of Melbourne for the day and is most definitely a highlight of the social calender. For most players, the season ends in early July where the championship is played out in the Melbourne winter between Melbournes clubs. For those good enough to represent the state teams, the season climaxes with the State Games - an outstanding tournament played over 5 days (last year in Brisbane) between the best players from the Australia States, again across the four codes. Having suffered the disappointment of playing on the losing Victoria team, we all still look back with pride on walking out on that pitch behind the pipe band listening to the Australian/Irish anthem as many of our familys watched the final against New South Wales over the internet.
But for every person who takes their football seriously, there are many who just want to join a club for the social side of things. With trips to Sydney, team weekends, and a core group who definitely enjoy the finer things in life, the clubs in Australia offer a fantastic outlet for new people arriving in a city. My own club, Padraig Pearses, with a thriving mens and ladies team, welcome many new p[layers each year. Between assisting people with finding jobs, accomodation, and a new bunch of friends, the thoughts of not having joined up with a club would have left me bereft of many of the memories (or sometimes lack of!!) and experiences which have made the move to Melbourne so worthwhile.
Many of us move to Australia or the States to get away from many things (including GAA I am sure!) - what I would suggest to anyone is give it a chance - the amount of commitment you give is totally up to yourself!
So if you know any lady or man with an interest in playing GAA in Melbourne please drop me a private message.
As clubs in Ireland return to the fields for pre-season training, the turn of the year also sees clubs throughout Australia, and in particular Melbourne commence pre-season training. Its definitely more sun cream and sleeveless tops than underarmour and gloves and is a great way to get the body back in some form of shape after the Christmas period. Battling it out in the white hot heat of a Malbourne summer, the early season training is geared towards the Padraig Pearses 7s tournament in mid February - with 50 clubs competing across the 4 codes, it brings over 2,000 people including players to Gaelic Park just south of Melbourne for the day and is most definitely a highlight of the social calender. For most players, the season ends in early July where the championship is played out in the Melbourne winter between Melbournes clubs. For those good enough to represent the state teams, the season climaxes with the State Games - an outstanding tournament played over 5 days (last year in Brisbane) between the best players from the Australia States, again across the four codes. Having suffered the disappointment of playing on the losing Victoria team, we all still look back with pride on walking out on that pitch behind the pipe band listening to the Australian/Irish anthem as many of our familys watched the final against New South Wales over the internet.
But for every person who takes their football seriously, there are many who just want to join a club for the social side of things. With trips to Sydney, team weekends, and a core group who definitely enjoy the finer things in life, the clubs in Australia offer a fantastic outlet for new people arriving in a city. My own club, Padraig Pearses, with a thriving mens and ladies team, welcome many new p[layers each year. Between assisting people with finding jobs, accomodation, and a new bunch of friends, the thoughts of not having joined up with a club would have left me bereft of many of the memories (or sometimes lack of!!) and experiences which have made the move to Melbourne so worthwhile.
Many of us move to Australia or the States to get away from many things (including GAA I am sure!) - what I would suggest to anyone is give it a chance - the amount of commitment you give is totally up to yourself!
So if you know any lady or man with an interest in playing GAA in Melbourne please drop me a private message.