Calgary Chieftains GAA - About Us
Who are we?
Since 1977, the Calgary Chieftains have been Calgary's GAA club. We are a sports and social club that promotes the traditional Irish sports of Gaelic Football and Hurling. We are fully affiliated to the GAA, through the Western Canada Divisional Board and are a registered Albertan Society (Calgary Chieftains: Gaelic Athletic Association Club).
What is GAA?
The Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) is a community-based volunteer organisation promoting Gaelic games, culture and lifelong participation.
We welcome everybody to be part of our Association. Our vision is that everybody has the opportunity to be welcomed to take part in our games and culture, to participate fully, to grow and develop and to be inspired to keep a lifelong engagement with our Association. The GAA has over 2,200 in Ireland and over 400 clubs promoting activities of the GAA all over the world.
What is Gaelic Football?
Hurling is a distinctly Irish field invasion game played with a stick, called a hurley, and a ball called a sliotar. The ladies’ version of the game is called Camogie but the rules are very similar. Hurling is known as the fastest field game in the world and is like a cross between hockey, lacrosse and baseball. The sliotar can be struck on the ground using the hurley or raised and struck in the air.
Hurling is older than the recorded history of Ireland. It is thought to predate Christianity, having come to Ireland with the Celts. It has been a distinct Irish pastime for at least 3000 years. The earliest written references to the sport in Brehon law date from the fifth century.
What is Hurling/Camogie?
Hurling is a distinctly Irish field invasion game played with a stick, called a hurley, and a ball called a sliotar. The ladies’ version of the game is called Camogie but the rules are very similar. Hurling is known as the fastest field game in the world and is like a cross between hockey, lacrosse and baseball. The sliotar can be struck on the ground using the hurley or raised and struck in the air.
Hurling is older than the recorded history of Ireland. It is thought to predate Christianity, having come to Ireland with the Celts. It has been a distinct Irish pastime for at least 3000years. The earliest written references to the sport in Brehon law date from the fifth century.
