'Why not try it' - largest GAA competition in UK begins
Over a four day period more than 4,100 juvenile players from schools and clubs across England, Wales and Scotland will take part in a series of games at the Hazelwood Centre sport grounds, home of the London Irish.
The GAA All Britain competition was first established 14 years ago.
GAA President Jarlath Burns was among those in attendance this afternoon.
He said the focus of the competition was on "enjoyment" and "participation" for the players.
The GAA in Britain has seen a growth in popularity in recent years, with a 28% increase in youth membership since 2021.
"I think the All-Irelands being on network television has really created an explosion of interest and curiosity among English people and British people and we're seeing the benefit of that now", he explained.
Several schools across the UK have incorporated Gaelic football and hurling into their PE curriculum, particular those where there is a large Irish population.
It has led to some children, with no Irish background taking up the sport.
Dylan, 11, explains that he first "found out" what Gaelic football was in Year 5 of school and thought it was "a very good sport".
"I thought it was a lot better than football [soccer]. I still do like football but I kind of prefer Gaelic", he said.
Maeve, a young competitor from London, said that her goal is to play for Donegal someday as she has family there.
"I like to play Gaelic because when I was younger my mum used to play Gaelic so I watched that and then I grew up into liking it", she explained.
Cormac Duffy, community development administrator with London GAA, points out that over 3,800 children took part in the competition last year but numbers are expected to exceed 4,100.
"We have roughly 390 teams and the guts of 880 games so it's a pretty hectic four days", he said.
The GAA All Britain Competition started yesterday and will continue until Thursday.
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