GAELIC SPORTS WORLD Issue 31 – August 8, 2015 | Page 11

Regina either. The city has an expanding population of young people coming for work and it’s common to recruit somebody who’s
new to the city and looking to get
involved in a new club to get to
know people.
“We’ve had Australian, Belgian,
Dutch, Welsh and English guys play
for us, as well as Canadians from
other provinces,” says Costello.
FUTURE IS LOCAL

Looking to the future Costello
believes in a local approach and
even reaching further into the
province.

Photo courtesy of Regina Gaels.

“Through our local tournaments, we’ve been trying to
encourage participation from nearby cities Moose Jaw
and Saskatoon. The Clann na Gael club in Saskatoon
had a difficult year in 2015, being unable to field a team,
but we hope to see a revival in them, perhaps starting off
by coming down to us with a 7 a side team. There is a
small Irish population in Moose Jaw that could potentially do the same.
“Within Regina, we’d love to see more groups of guys
taking part in the local tournaments through their own
entities such as companies, other sports teams and pubs.
Bonus territory would be if those players are attracted
to join in with the Gaels and raise the standard of the
traveling team for western championships.
“Hurling has great potential in Canada, being so similar to hockey, lacrosse and baseball. We’ve had signs of
it being ready to take off amongst the local population,
and can see it happening over the next 5 years. A ladies

football team is a challenge as local girls need to be recruited, but it’s something we’ll certainly have another
go at in years to come.”
Club chairman McGloin believes the Gaels have a lot
more to offer than at first appearance.
“I think the fact that we are an genuine piece of Irishness in their city, that’s not contrived or manufactured
in the way of say Darby Magill or a green pint of Guinness.
“It’s a way for Canadians to truly experience an authentic part of Irish culture. I believe they enjoy the
sincerity of the club and the GAA, and the genuine
joy the Irish immigrants have in being able to go out
and express their culture and identity through the social and sporting activities of the Regina Gaels, and
I believe the non-Irish in the club enjoy being part of
that.”

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