New Zealand is currently at the Red setting under the COVID-19 Protection Framework (traffic lights). With social games in full swing and training getting under way, it is important that players, coaches, and spectators follow the guidelines under this setting. These include:

If you have any questions, please get in touch with your coach or a member of the committee.

You can read more info on sport at Red on NZ's official COVID-19 website: covid19.govt.nz/sport-at-red/

Sponsored by Whistling Sisters Beer Co. for the 2021/22 season


Thanks also to the Global Games Development Fund, the Department of Foreign Affairs Ireland, and the GAA for their support.

We returned to Ian Galloway Park for the post-Christmas socials tournament on Wednesday 12 January. We're three gameweeks in to the five-week season. In the football, Mayo4Sam – who  finished second to bottom in the pre-Christmas league – are joint-top together with The Iggheads and Welly Warriors (also bottom-half finishers pre-Christmas).
 

The introduction of the small ball has been warmly welcomed to the socials season. The inaugural tournament has been evenly contested by the four teams in the opening weeks. Feel the Byrne and Steak 'n' Chips have topped the round robin standings, but it's all to play for in the knockout stages over the next two weeks. 

The post-Christmas finals day is scheduled for Ian Galloway Park on Saturday 12 February. That evening, we'll head to Whistling Sisters for our awards night, which will be capped to 100 people.
 

The annual Lindis Pass Cup game between Queenstown and Canterbury, scheduled for Saturday 26 February, has been postponed. The Queenstown council made the decision to postpone the game as they will be unable to ensure the attendance is under the 100-person limit in line with the Red setting. Queenstown hope to host the game sometime in April.

The game is typically a great pre-Championship test for all players; but, more importantly, it has served as a great means to raise funds for local Queenstown charities. Last year, the game raised almost $1,080 for St John Ambulance Wakatipu. You can read about last year's game in this article from the Otago Daily Times. In the meantime, keep on eye on the Queenstown Hurling Facebook page for updates through the link below.
 

Ambassador Peter Ryan (left) and Declan 'Diesel' Malone of Queenstown hurlers with the Lindis Pass Cup at Morrison's pub in Queenstown recently.
 

A reminder that the 2022 New Zealand Championships are pencilled in for the weekend of 26/27 March at Marist Rugby Club in Hamilton. Hosts Naomh Críostóir have set up a Facebook event which you can view here.

A meeting between NZ clubs regarding the competition was held on Tuesday 1 February. As it stands, the tournament is going ahead as planned. Teams must be submitted to Naomh Críostóir by Friday 11 February. Men's football will be a 13-a-side competition; women's football, 11-a-side; and the hurling and camogie is to be confirmed. A final decision on whether the tournament will go ahead will be made on Tuesday 1 March. 

Training ahead of the competition started back in Ian Galloway Park on Monday 31 January. You can view the full training schedule leading up to the competition through the link below.
 

We are delighted to tell you that we'll be launching our new club website in the coming weeks. As you'll know, we recently acquired a club management software system run by Tauranga-based Friendly Manager. A club website was also part of the package, and we've been busy pulling the site together over the last couple of months. 

Sneak peak of our new club website.

Kids Gaelic games recommenced on Sunday 30 January at Trafalgar Park, Lower Hutt and up the coast at Te Atiawa Domain, Paraparaumu. Hurling sessions will recommence in Lower Hutt from 13 February onwards.

If you need any more information, please contact our Youth Officer Siobhán Cotter at kids@wellingtongaa.com or call 021 078 9663. You can also follow us on Facebook at Kids GAA Wellington and Kāpiti Kids Gaelic Football for more info.

Saturday 15 January saw our second annual sports day at Ian Galloway Park. With the sun beating down, our sunscreen-ed athletes took part in several classic sports day activities. Sack races, egg and spoon races (with potatoes – in true Irish style), three-legged races, tug o' wars, gumboot throwing, poc and cic fada, and rounders were among the games contested.

It was an enjoyable afternoon for participants and spectators, made all the more worthwhile for the winning teams and individuals who, in lieu of medals, were awarded with Ronan O'Malley's signature homemade chocolate chip cookies. Thanks to Ronan for organising another cracking afternoon of fun and for the scrumptious cookies.
 

January's sports day.
 

Cupid is definitely shooting some arrows across the region with the glut of engagements we've had recently. The most recent to pop the question is veteran player and men's football manager Enda Costello. Congratulations to Enda and his fiancé Jeanne McKnight. After getting down on one knee, we're told the Meath native duly celebrated with a few creamy pints of stout.

Jeanne and Enda following their recent engagement.

 

A heads up that the annual St Patrick's Day parade is provisionally pencilled in for Sunday 13 March. The parade will not go ahead if we are still in the Red setting. Vaccine passes will be required to attend. We will have more information on the parade closer to the day.