Millbrook Resident Bringing Gaelic Football Club To Peterborough Sports Scene

Peterborough resident Tracy Campbell is inviting athletes to lace up their boots and try Gaelic Football in hopes to develop and promote the Irish sport through the Peterborough Gaelic Football Association.

Campbell playing Gaelic football in Ottawa. Captured by Photographer Brad Smith.

Gaelic Football is a popular Irish sport played on a grass field. It is played with a round ball and both hands and feet are used to control and pass the ball. There are 15 players on each team, with only 1 referee.

Played by both men and women, there are associations all over Canada.

Before moving to the Peterborough area, Campbell played Gaelic Football in places like South Korea, Kingston and Ottawa.

Now living in the area she hopes that adults looking to have fun and learn a new sport will come out to learn and scrimmage with athletes of all abilities.

“You’re moving from point a to point b, kicking the ball or bouncing it, but it’s really not that rough,” said Campbell. “It’s not as rough as people seem to think it is. Most people when they start, unless they grew up in Ireland, they have no knowledge of it.”

While the Peterborough Gaelic Athletic Association (PTBO GAA) is not yet an official member of the Gaelic Athletic Association, Campbell hopes that the sport will take off in the city and soon be a certified association.

The GAA houses a few different Gaelic sports, including Gaelic football, hurling and camogie.

Currently Campbell’s main goal is gaining interest. Actual team practices and ‘learn-to-play’ nights will begin when weather permits.

“One of my favourite things about it is that sense of community you feel with the club,” said Campbell. “I’ve never experienced anything like it. I grew up playing sports and I’ve never experienced the sense of community you get with Gaelic football.”

Anyone interested should follow PTBO GAA on Instagram and Facebook for updates and email peterboroughgaa@gmail.com.

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