Western Canadian Championships
Encyclopedia
The Western Canadian Championship is a Gaelic football
championship tournament of the Western Divisional Board
of the Gaelic Athletic Association
, played every year in British Columbia
and Alberta
, Canada
. The championship includes Mens and Ladies' Gaelic football
, two of the sports which make up Gaelic games
.
), and to allow each teams host critical games (understanding the travel distances between venues), agreed that the Championship would be played out in a League format. Each member team would play each other team twice, over two tournaments. The venue for Championship games would be rotated so that each team is required to cross the Rockies only once each year. Only the 5 member clubs (5 men's & 3 ladies' teams) compete in this Championship.
To date the Men Championships have been fairly open with the closest so far being the 2006 season where each team recorded 2 wins & 2 losses. In those days the Championship was decided on points difference (sparking call for change). In 2008, Vancouver
dominated, with Calgary
narrowly losing both its matches against the Harps. 2008 was also the first year that 4 men's teams competed for the title with the addition of the Red Deer Éire Óg boys to the mix. 2009 saw further growth with the addition of a 5th Club, the Vancouver Celts. 2009 was also significant with Edmonton Wolfe Tones winning their first Championship.
The early days of the Ladies Championships were dominated by the Edmonton Wolfe Tones, with their vibrant club spirit and commitment to practice paying dividends. They won the first 3 Championships. However Vancouver made 2007 a year of change, adopting those self-same virtues, by gaining their first of their very own 3-in-a-row Championships. The Albertan sides have had mix fortunes in the Championship and will have to up the ante in 2010 to bring the Trophy back to the eastern foothills of the Rockies.
2009 WCC Results
Ladies
Men's
2008 WCC Results
Ladies
Men's
2007 WCC Results
Ladies
Men's
Men's
Men's
Men's
Gaelic football
Gaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
championship tournament of the Western Divisional Board
Western Divisional Board
The Western Canada Divisional Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is part of the Canadian County Board and is responsible for Gaelic Games in Western Canada. The county board is also responsible for the football, hurling, camogie and Ladies' Gaelic football, known collectively as Gaelic games...
of the Gaelic Athletic Association
Gaelic Athletic Association
The Gaelic Athletic Association is an amateur Irish and international cultural and sporting organisation focused primarily on promoting Gaelic games, which include the traditional Irish sports of hurling, camogie, Gaelic football, handball and rounders...
, played every year in British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
and Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. The championship includes Mens and Ladies' Gaelic football
Ladies' Gaelic football
Ladies' Gaelic football is a team sport for women, very similar to Gaelic football, and co-ordinated by the Ladies' Gaelic Football Association...
, two of the sports which make up Gaelic games
Gaelic games
Gaelic games are sports played in Ireland under the auspices of the Gaelic Athletic Association. The two main games are Gaelic football and hurling...
.
History
In 2004, the first formal GAA sanctioned Western Canadian Championships were played. The Divisional Board, in order to facilitate tournaments that include unaffiliated teams (i.e. not in the Western Divisional BoardWestern Divisional Board
The Western Canada Divisional Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is part of the Canadian County Board and is responsible for Gaelic Games in Western Canada. The county board is also responsible for the football, hurling, camogie and Ladies' Gaelic football, known collectively as Gaelic games...
), and to allow each teams host critical games (understanding the travel distances between venues), agreed that the Championship would be played out in a League format. Each member team would play each other team twice, over two tournaments. The venue for Championship games would be rotated so that each team is required to cross the Rockies only once each year. Only the 5 member clubs (5 men's & 3 ladies' teams) compete in this Championship.
To date the Men Championships have been fairly open with the closest so far being the 2006 season where each team recorded 2 wins & 2 losses. In those days the Championship was decided on points difference (sparking call for change). In 2008, Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
dominated, with Calgary
Calgary
Calgary is a city in the Province of Alberta, Canada. It is located in the south of the province, in an area of foothills and prairie, approximately east of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies...
narrowly losing both its matches against the Harps. 2008 was also the first year that 4 men's teams competed for the title with the addition of the Red Deer Éire Óg boys to the mix. 2009 saw further growth with the addition of a 5th Club, the Vancouver Celts. 2009 was also significant with Edmonton Wolfe Tones winning their first Championship.
The early days of the Ladies Championships were dominated by the Edmonton Wolfe Tones, with their vibrant club spirit and commitment to practice paying dividends. They won the first 3 Championships. However Vancouver made 2007 a year of change, adopting those self-same virtues, by gaining their first of their very own 3-in-a-row Championships. The Albertan sides have had mix fortunes in the Championship and will have to up the ante in 2010 to bring the Trophy back to the eastern foothills of the Rockies.
The Tom's
2008 was an historic year because the teams began to compete for silverware with the "Tom Butler" Cup on offer for the Men's, and the "Tom Gibbons" Memorial Cup up for grabs for the Ladies. The families' of these two Vancouver legends, the former being on hand to present his cup to the first winners, the Vancouver Harps, were kind enough to sponsor these perpetual trophies to the Western Canada Division. Fittingly, 2008 saw both the Cups returning to Vancouver with the Championships first double going the Vancouver Harps.2010 Championship dates
The Western Canadian Championship is played out over two weekends, and the dates for these tournaments this year are:- VancouverVancouver CeltsThe Vancouver Celts are a Gaelic football club based in Vancouver, Canada. They club represents the Vancouver Irish Sporting & Social Club. The club was formed to spread the playing pool in Vancouver, separating itself from its sister club, the Vancouver Harps...
- Saturday & Sunday, June 26 & 27, 2010
- Red DeerÉire Óg (Red Deer)Red Deer Éire Óg is a Gaelic football club started in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada in April 2007. It is made up of about 20 players.In 2008, the club became a member of Western Canada Division of the Canadian County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association....
- Saturday & Sunday, July 31 & August 1, 2010
Roll of honour
| Season | Ladies | Men's |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Harps Vancouver Harps The Vancouver Harps are a Gaelic football and Hurling club based in Vancouver, Canada. They club represents the Vancouver Irish Sporting & Social Club... |
Harps Vancouver Harps The Vancouver Harps are a Gaelic football and Hurling club based in Vancouver, Canada. They club represents the Vancouver Irish Sporting & Social Club... |
| 2009 | Harps Vancouver Harps The Vancouver Harps are a Gaelic football and Hurling club based in Vancouver, Canada. They club represents the Vancouver Irish Sporting & Social Club... |
Wolfe Tones Edmonton Wolfe Tones The Edmonton Wolfe Tones are a Gaelic football club based in Edmonton, AB, Canada. They play during the summer months with a very active and vibrant group of people involved. The Wolfe Tones are members of Western Divisional Board of the Canadian County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association.Jack... |
| 2008 | Harps Vancouver Harps The Vancouver Harps are a Gaelic football and Hurling club based in Vancouver, Canada. They club represents the Vancouver Irish Sporting & Social Club... |
Harps Vancouver Harps The Vancouver Harps are a Gaelic football and Hurling club based in Vancouver, Canada. They club represents the Vancouver Irish Sporting & Social Club... |
| 2007 | Harps Vancouver Harps The Vancouver Harps are a Gaelic football and Hurling club based in Vancouver, Canada. They club represents the Vancouver Irish Sporting & Social Club... |
Chieftains Calgary Chieftains The Calgary Chieftains are an Gaelic football club based in Calgary, Canada. They play at the Calgary Canadian Irish Athletic Club grounds and are members of Western Divisional Board of the Canadian County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association.... |
| 2006 | Wolfe Tones Edmonton Wolfe Tones The Edmonton Wolfe Tones are a Gaelic football club based in Edmonton, AB, Canada. They play during the summer months with a very active and vibrant group of people involved. The Wolfe Tones are members of Western Divisional Board of the Canadian County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association.Jack... |
Harps Vancouver Harps The Vancouver Harps are a Gaelic football and Hurling club based in Vancouver, Canada. They club represents the Vancouver Irish Sporting & Social Club... |
| 2005 | Wolfe Tones Edmonton Wolfe Tones The Edmonton Wolfe Tones are a Gaelic football club based in Edmonton, AB, Canada. They play during the summer months with a very active and vibrant group of people involved. The Wolfe Tones are members of Western Divisional Board of the Canadian County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association.Jack... |
Harps Vancouver Harps The Vancouver Harps are a Gaelic football and Hurling club based in Vancouver, Canada. They club represents the Vancouver Irish Sporting & Social Club... |
| 2004 | Wolfe Tones Edmonton Wolfe Tones The Edmonton Wolfe Tones are a Gaelic football club based in Edmonton, AB, Canada. They play during the summer months with a very active and vibrant group of people involved. The Wolfe Tones are members of Western Divisional Board of the Canadian County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association.Jack... |
Chieftains Calgary Chieftains The Calgary Chieftains are an Gaelic football club based in Calgary, Canada. They play at the Calgary Canadian Irish Athletic Club grounds and are members of Western Divisional Board of the Canadian County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association.... |
- Roll of Honour (Men's)
- Vancouver HarpsVancouver HarpsThe Vancouver Harps are a Gaelic football and Hurling club based in Vancouver, Canada. They club represents the Vancouver Irish Sporting & Social Club...
- 4 - Calgary ChieftainsCalgary ChieftainsThe Calgary Chieftains are an Gaelic football club based in Calgary, Canada. They play at the Calgary Canadian Irish Athletic Club grounds and are members of Western Divisional Board of the Canadian County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association....
- 2 - Edmonton Wolfe TonesEdmonton Wolfe TonesThe Edmonton Wolfe Tones are a Gaelic football club based in Edmonton, AB, Canada. They play during the summer months with a very active and vibrant group of people involved. The Wolfe Tones are members of Western Divisional Board of the Canadian County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association.Jack...
- 1
- Roll of Honour (Ladies')
- Vancouver HarpsVancouver HarpsThe Vancouver Harps are a Gaelic football and Hurling club based in Vancouver, Canada. They club represents the Vancouver Irish Sporting & Social Club...
- 4 - Edmonton Wolfe TonesEdmonton Wolfe TonesThe Edmonton Wolfe Tones are a Gaelic football club based in Edmonton, AB, Canada. They play during the summer months with a very active and vibrant group of people involved. The Wolfe Tones are members of Western Divisional Board of the Canadian County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association.Jack...
- 3
2009 WCC ResultsWestern Canadian Championship 2009The Western Canadian Championship 2009 was a Gaelic football competition. Canada's west coast, in the provinces of British Columbia & Alberta, Gaelic Football teams compete for the title of Western Canadian Champions. The Western Canadian Championship is played out every year between the member...
Ladies
- Vancouver Harps the record of the Edmonton Wolfe Tones winning 3 titles in a row, when they went unbeaten in the Championship. The Ladies of Calgary put it up to them on the field of play though, as it was the Harps who took the tournament honours at the Vancouver & Edmonton Tournaments. Edmonton improved on their 2008 Championship showing and the future of Ladies football game in Alberta looks much better.
- Best for Vancouver: Helen Keohane, Rita Burke, Angela Oldknow, Tara Philips
- Best for Calgary: Sinead Leacy, Carol Ann Fennelly
- Best for Edmonton: Kim Budd, Ashley Gerrard
Men's
- Edmonton Wolfe Tones lead the way in the round-robin seriesthat were evenly contested. In the knock-out stages, they had to overcome Calgary in an eventful CHampionship Final. Red Deer competed well recording their first victory in the Championship. Vancouver's clubs had a learning season having spread their resources to field two championship Men's sides. This was tough year, but they competed admirably and will be a tougher proposition in 2010.
- Best for Edmonton: Brian Daly, Declan Reilly, Michael Collier
- Best for Calgary: Barry Sinclair, Tom McAroe
- Best for Vancouver Celts: Gary Howe, Sean Twomey
- Best for Vancouver Harps: Dave Tonge, Brian Mahoney
- Best for Red Deer: Rory Lynch, Mick O'Toole
2008 WCC ResultsWestern Canadian Championship 2008The Western Canadian Championship 2008 was a Gaelic football competition. Canada's west coast, in the provinces of British Columbia & Alberta, Gaelic Football teams compete for the title of Western Canadian Champions. The Western Canadian Championship is played out every year between the member...
Ladies
- Vancouver Harps became the first team other than the Edmonton Wolfe Tones to win back-to-back titles, when they went unbeaten in the Championship for the first time ever. The Ladies of Calgary put it up to them on the field of play though, as it was the Harps who took the tournament honours at the Vancouver & Calgary Tournaments. Edmonton failed to represent in a single Championship match and there are growing concerns about the future of Ladies football in the City.
- Best for Vancouver: Alaina Bleker, Rene McGloin, Eimer Grogan
- Best for Calgary: Erin LeBlance, Alison Zmurchuk
- Best for Edmonton: Kim Budd, Dawn Krawchuk
- Special Mention: Radean Adams (Red Deer)
Men's
- Vancouver Harps lead the way with 6 wins against their opponents. Though Calgary were unbeaten in all their games against the other teams in the Division, they succumbed to two narrow defeats at the hands of the Harps. Red Deer competed well throughout and though they only had a walk-over victory against Edmonton to show for their Championship endeavors, they made their presence felt at all the tournaments they attended.
- Best for Vancouver: Steven Hanney, Vincent Crowley, Peter Agnew
- Best for Calgary: Barry Sinclair, Tom McAroe
- Best for Edmonton: Brian Daly, Brian Byrne
- Best for Red Deer: Rory Lynch, Phil Harris (Red Deer)
2007 WCC ResultsWestern Canadian Championship 2007The Western Canadian Championship 2007 was a Gaelic football competition. Canada's west coast, in the provinces of British Columbia & Alberta, Gaelic Football teams compete for the title of Western Canadian Champions. The Western Canadian Championship is played out every year between the member...
Ladies
- Vancouver Harps became the first team other than the Edmonton Wolfe Tones to take the honors, when the Alberta sides failed to turn up in Vancouver for the second round of matches. The Ladies of Calgary & Edmonton can have no complaints on the field of play though, as it was the Harps who took the tournament honours at the Edmonton Tournament (the only one that included all 3 Western Canadian ladies teams in 2007)
- Best for Vancouver: Stephanie Hahn, Rene McGloin, Tara Philips
- Best for Edmonton: Ainsley Baldwin, Dawn Krawchuk
- Best for Calgary: Maeve McKiernan, Mandy Tuohy
- Special Mention: Radean Adams (Red Deer)
Men's
- Calgary Chieftains lead the way with 3 wins. The Harps & Wolfe Tones basically ended each other's chances with their draw in their first match-up. Calgary were beaten in Vancouver in the second round, but comfortably dispatched of Edmonton to secure their first title since 2004.
- Best for Calgary: Adrian Lagan, Tim Hamill, Tom McAroe
- Best for Vancouver: Kevin Murray, Peter Agnew
- Best for Edmonton: Brian Daly, Colin Baugh
- Special Mention: Mick O'Toole, Rory Lynch (Red Deer)
2006 WCC Results
Ladies- Edmonton Wolfe Tones were victorious having won 3 of their 4 games played. The Vancouver Harps had 2 wins (both at home) and the Calgary Chieftains rounded the table out with 1 win.
- Best for Edmonton: Ainsley Baldwin, Dawn Krawchuk, Carlin Acheson
- Best for Vancouver: Rita Burke, Katrina MacAndrew
- Best for Calgary: Cindy Chalmers, Kim Tulloch
Men's
- After 4 games played each Men's team had won 2 and lost 2. In a nailbiting, see-saw season, the Vancouver Harps topped the table by virtue of points difference, with a 9-pt victory over the Wolfe Tones giving them the necessary edge over the Calgary Chieftains.
- Best for Vancouver: Kevin Murray, John Crimmins, Padhraic Leavy
- Best for Calgary: Adrian Lagan, Calum Bonnington
- Best for Edmonton: Colin Baugh, Larry Conneely
2005 WCC Results
Ladies- Edmonton Wolfe Tones were victorious having won all of their 4 games played. Calgary Chieftains & Vancouver Harps rounded the table out with 1 win each.
- Best for Edmonton: Ainsley Baldwin, Colleen Whelehan, Carlin Acheson
- Best for Calgary: Kim Tulloch, Mandy Tuohy
- Best for Vancouver: Cathy Jackson, Tara Philips
Men's
- Vancouver Harps were victorious having won 3 of their 4 games played. There was controversy as the Harps walked off the field protesting the actions of Calgary Chieftains players in their match-up in Edmonton. Calgary were awarded the win in this instance; Vancouver deemed to have forfeited the game.
- Best for Vancouver: Sean Minagh, Shane Donnelly, Tony Doyle
- Best for Calgary: Adrian Lagan, Tim Hammill
- Best for Edmonton: Mick O'Toole, Luc Berthiaume
2004 WCC Results
Ladies- Edmonton Wolfe Tones were victorious having won all of their 4 games played. The Calgary Chieftains & Vancouver Harps rounded the table out with 1 win each.
- Best for Edmonton: Ainsley Baldwin, Andrea Mooney, Karen Hansen
- Best for Calgary: Cindy Chalmers, Mandy Tuohy
- Best for Vancouver: Nuala Cyr, Linda Louie
Men's
- The first Men's Championship was won by the Calgary Chieftains, who were undefeated in their 4 games. It was a tense & close campaign, since the two games the Chieftains played against the Edmonton Wolfe Tones were tied. Vancouver Harps very nearly snatched the Championship, but they were unable to win their final game against Calgary.
- Best for Calgary: Adrian Lagan, Noel Tuohy, Ben Lambert
- Best for Vancouver: James Kirk, Sean Minagh
- Best for Edmonton: Gavin McInnie, Mick O'Toole