FRS Recruitment has been announced as the title sponsor of the 2023 GAA World Games, which were officially launched at Croke Park today and will bring some 1,300 players from 10 regions around the globe home to play in Derry this summer.
This will mark the fourth-ever staging of the competition with the 2023 FRS Recruitment GAA World Games set to be the biggest and best yet.
The initial stages of the event will be played out at Derry’s Owenbeg, Centre of Excellence from July 24 to July 27, with the finals taking place on July 28 at Celtic Park, Derry City. In keeping with the tradition of other GAA festivals, visiting teams will be twinned with local clubs throughout Derry to enhance the social and cultural element of the Games.
Tipperary hurler Bryan O'Mara, Mayo Ladies footballer Sarah Tierney, Kilkenny Camogie player Steffi Fitzgerald, and Derry footballer Conor Glass at the FRS Recruitment GAA World Games launch. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
There are now more than 500 GAA Clubs in existence outside of Ireland and this is reflected in the presence of 105 teams that are confirmed for the FRS Recruitment GAA World Games and representing clubs from across Europe, New York, USGAA, South Africa, Argentina, Canada, Britain, Australasia, India, Asia and the Middle East.
World titles for Football, Ladies football, Hurling and Camogie will be on offer with competing teams made up specifically of native born or Irish born players.
There will be eight finals in all on a hectic day of international activity at Celtic Park and with four finals staged for Irish-born players in Football, Ladies football, Hurling and Camogie and then another four finals for native born players competing across the four codes.
In total it is anticipated that approximately 5,000 people will be involved in this year’s Games between players, team officials, administrators, families, and supporters.
Uachtarán CLG Larry McCarthy said: “The FRS Recruitment GAA World Games will be one of the most significant events in the GAA calendar in 2023.
“Thousands are planning to flock to Derry for what will be a spectacular festival of Gaelic games activity, and which will show people just how strong Gaelic games are outside of Ireland.
“For those who make a home from home outside of Ireland and for many others as well, their local GAA Club is of vital importance to being able to put down roots, make new friends and create new opportunities and celebrate a culture and identity by playing our great games. Increasingly, the presence of almost 500 GAA Clubs outside of Ireland is growing the interest and participation in Gaelic games among people in many countries who are embracing the chance to play Gaelic football, hurling and camogie.
“The World Games in Derry will be a wonderful celebration and I want to thank FRS Recruitment for their assistance, our World GAA Committee, chaired by Niall Erskine, World GAA Office led by Charlie Harrison, and the clubs and county committee in Derry and I look forward to being part of the colour and excitement at Owenbeg and Celtic Park this summer.”
Speaking on behalf of FRS Recruitment, Colin Donnery, Group Chief Executive at FRS said:
“We are delighted to be the title sponsor of the 2023 GAA World Games and look forward to working with the Association on this fantastic event. The GAA is such an integral part of communities across Ireland and around the world, as demonstrated by the success of the GAA World Games, and we look forward to a successful Games in Derry in late July”
Tipperary hurler Bryan O'Mara, Mayo Ladies footballer Sarah Tierney, FRS Group Chief Executive Colin Donnery, Kilkenny Camogie player Steffi Fitzgerald, and Derry footballer Conor Glass at the FRS Recruitment GAA World Games launch.
Michéal Naughton, President of the Ladies Gaelic Football Association, commented:
“We are eagerly anticipating the forthcoming festival of Gaelic Games in Derry in July. The 2023 FRS Recruitment GAA World Games will attract unprecedented levels of interest and we are delighted that the Ladies Gaelic Football Association is strongly represented once again. I would like to wish all of the participating teams the very best of luck and we look forward to meeting players from all around the world. This event will provide the opportunity for all present to establish new friendships and strengthen existing ones. We never fail to be amazed by the high levels of sporting endeavour on show when the GAA World Games get underway."
Hilda Breslin, Uachtarán Cumann Camogíochta said:
"We are looking forward greatly to welcoming all of the teams who will take part in this year's FRS Recruitment GAA World Games. The tremendous success in both 2016 and 2019 contributed greatly to a growth in Camogie across the world, we now see Camogie played in so many new and exciting locations. It is particularly wonderful to see the huge rise in the number of native Camogie teams taking part in this year's event, we are very proud of our game and to see the joy that it brings to new audiences and players re-enforces this pride. I know from personal experience that all of the teams can expect a very warm welcome to Derry in July, this year Games promises to be very special, creating new bonds and friendships as we showcase our unique games."
The FRS Recruitment GAA World Games 2023 will showcase the extent to which the passion and participation for Gaelic Games has now spread far beyond our shores and will acknowledge the keepers of this flame. The collage of international colours on parade will also be made possible by the on-going support of official kit suppliers O’Neills.
Alison Perry, Marketing Manager for O’Neills said: “O’Neills Sportswear is proud to be part of the FRS Recruitment GAA World Games launch and to continue to have the opportunity to create the playing kits for the teams in 2023. We believe that sport has the power to unite people from all over the world, and we are delighted to be able to contribute to this celebration of Gaelic games.
“These team jerseys are always a big hit with both players and supporters and can be purchased from our ONEILLS.COM webstore. Show your support and wear the same kit as your favourite players on the field!”
