Squamish Locals Try Out Gaelic Football
By RONAN DEANE
Squamish, B.C. is a small town that lies adjacent to Highway 99 between Whistler and Vancouver. Most people consider it a bottle-neck between their working lives and the mountains of Whistler where they plan to do some R&R on the week-end off. It might be where they have their McDonald's at the drive-through, or fill up on gas.
Off the highway, however, is a bustling close-knit community that has taken to the great sport of Gaelic football in surprisingly enthusiastic fashion.
In February and March, a band of Squamish locals played very competitively in the Black Frog mixed 7's competition in the run-up to St. Patrick's Day.
In April outdoor practices started with a trickle, but now every Thursday night 10 to 12 souls come out and kick a ball around at Don Ross Secondary School in Brackendale.
While there is one Irishman among them, the group is made up mostly of soccer players from the Howe Sound league, construction workers, and grade 11 and 12 students from local schools.
Co-operating with the Vancouver Harps, Squamish players will get to participate in games in Seattle and Vancouver this summer with the aim of fielding two teams at the Vancouver tournament in July.
Later in the summer, a games day is planned in their own back-yard, with the support of the Harps and B.C. Footy teams.
If you live in Squamish or Whistler and want to try out a new sport, come down to Don Ross School at 7:30 PM every Thursday evening in the summer. For more information, call Ronan Deane at (604) 898-1441, or e-mail ronandeane@hotmail.com.
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