New Zealand Irish Directory

The Australians play a game called Aussie Rules which is a derivative of Gaelic Football but is sufficiently different to avoid any confusion between the two. The Aussie ball and playing area are oval, while the Irish ball is round and the field rectangle. The Irish have brought these sports with them in their travels and throughout the world there are groups of enthusiasts who actively play the games of the Gaelic Athletic Association and avidly follow the GAA Championships as they annually unfold in the land of their heritage.

Gaelic games were played on an organised basis in Auckland as far back as 1949, and the first provincial competition occurred at the annual Irish Society Feis in Christchurch in 1950, where teams from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch competed. Every year provincial teams compete during the Feis and regularly play in the Australasian Championships against representatives from many of the states of Australia.

Auckland Gaelic Athletic Association
PO Box 7619
Wellesley Street
Auckland 1141
Contact: The Secretary
Ph: +64 27 4256995
Web: www.aucklandgaa.co.nz/
Contact: Richie Barry - President
Email: Richard.Barry@cableprice.co.nz
Contact: Barry Brennan - Vice President
Mob: +64 21 404575
Email: bandsbrennan@xtra.co.nz
Contact: Jane Quinn - Secretary
Email: Jane.Quinn@asb.co.nz

Games played at: Western Springs AFS, Meola Road, Pt. Chevalier.
The Association was formed in 1953 and comprises of senior, minor, ladies and many ethnic groups. There are four Senior men's clubs, Gaels, Harps, Celtic and Marist Rangers and also several ladies teams. The season runs from October to January and there are special events up to St. Patrick's Day. The Association is represented by players in the Australasian team to Ireland for the World Championships

Auckland Minor Gaelic Football Club
Contact: Jim Connolly
Ph: +64 9 8385196
Email: dancingkiwi@xtra.co.nz

Colours: Navy and blue

Marist Rangers Gaelic Football Club
Contact: Frank Galway
Ph: +64 9 4735575
Mob: +64 27 4794919
Fax: +64 9 4735575
Email: leitrim2001@xtra.co.nz

Colours: Blue and gold

Marist Rangers Ladies Gaelic Football Club
Contact: Michael Fox
Mob: +64 21 669084
Email: slaney1@xtra.co.nz

Colours: Green and white hoops

Gaels Gaelic Football Club
Contact: Jimmy Connolly
Ph: +64 9 8385196
Email: dancingkiwi@xtra.co.nz

Colours: Maroon and white

Gaels Ladies Gaelic Football Club
Contact: Carmen Connolly
Ph: +64 9 8373958

Christchurch Gaelic Athletic Association
90 Mathers Road
Hoon Hay
Christchurch
Contact: Bill Lawton
Ph: +64 3 338 2504

Colours: Red and black

Hutt Valley Gaelic Athletic Association
Contact: Anne O'Carroll
Ph: +64 4 2329962
Email: a.ocarroll@xtra.co.nz

All duties are carried out by the executive on a voluntary basis with the exception of the Secretary whose position is full time.

The powers and functions of The Australasian Council are as follows:
· It is the supreme governing body of the Association between Annual conventions.
· It is the final authority to interpret the rules after consultation with the GAA in Ireland, if necessary.
· Its jurisdiction extends over the whole Association in all matters. It appoints Trustees to hold funds, investments, and property of the Association.
· It’s prior approval must be obtained for any action affecting the general policy of the Association and for capital expenditure
· It’s decisions on all matters appertaining to the Association are final and binding on the members of the Association.
· The Australasian Council has complete control of the Australasian Hurling and Gaelic Football competitions and conducts such competitions annually on a rotational basis or in each State as decided by the annual Australasian convention.

The role of the Australasian association has grown immensely in recent years in the administration and promotion of Gaelic games. Developments include, a Level 1 Coaching Course with subsequent appointment of Coaching Directors in each Australian States, a one-day Referees Course to secure more qualified referees and the construction of the association’s website.

These developments have been made possible with the appointment of a full time Secretary in 2000 through funding provided by the Gaelic Athletic Association in Ireland.

Bohemian Celtic Soccer Club
Contact: Paul Keary
Mob: +64 29 966 2142
Email: paulk@corpendo.com
Web: www.bohemianceltic.com
Contact: Barry Brennan - President
Mob: +64 21 404575
Email: bandsbrennan@xtra.co.nz
Contact: Rocky Conway
Ph: +64 21 779 305

Bohemian Celtic is a soccer club with significant Irish connections
Bohemian Celtic play in the Auckland Sunday Footbal League and has five teams - three Mens and two Ladies.
If you are interested in playing soccer with the only "Irish" club in Auckland, please contact us.

Auckland Irish Golf Society
Contact: Mark Neville
Mob: +64 21 428509
Email: nevillemark@hotmail.com
Web: whare.100webspace.net/joomla/
Contact: Padraig O'Gorman
Mob: +64 21 508322
Contact: Tom Lavery
Mob: +64 21 2209388