Epic 15,000km trip to Mayo for Australasia Féile team

A team representing Australasia will journey 15,000km from Perth to Mayo to join almost 200 club sides, comprising nearly 4,000 players, competing in the John West Féile Peile na nÓg (Gaelic football and ladies’ football) finals 2024 this Saturday, June 29.

The Australasian boys Under 15 side will compete alongside 28 teams, comprising over 500 Gaelic footballers, who will descend on the Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence, Bekan, for the Division One and Division Five finals.

Brian Briscoe, originally from Dublin, manages the Australasia side, and he said his team would certainly recall next weekend in Mayo with fondness for years to come.

“I still fondly recall my own Féile in 1990. I am so excited about our boys making similar life-long memories,” he commented.

What has grown to become one of the biggest underage sporting events in Europe will this year mark the 30th anniversary of the ladies’ football element of John West Féile Peile na nÓg.

Meanwhile, over 170 teams, involving 3,400 players, will take part in John West Féile Peile na nÓg finals at 21 venues across Ireland for teams outside Division One and Division Five on the same day.

Last weekend, 4,000 camogie players and hurlers took part in the John West Féile na nGael finals.

Club sides from the US, Europe and UK are also represented across the four codes.

The Australasia side comprises mainly Western Australia players, and a complement from Victoria and South Australia.

The squad was visited by Irish Ambassador to Australia, Tim Mawe, who wished them luck in the run-up to their departure.

John West Féile brings together thousands of young hurlers, camogie players and Gaelic footballers in a celebration of the GAA’s community ethos through underage competition.

Throughout its sponsorship of Féile, John West has focused on the importance of natural nutrition in fuelling families whilst encouraging teenagers to participate in Gaelic games and enjoy an active, healthy lifestyle.

This is the ninth year of John West’s sponsorship of Féile and, for a second year, John West will partner with SuperValu to promote the competition in stores across the country as retailers continue to recognise the popularity of the competition.

John West Ireland head of marketing, Anne-Claire Monde, said the company is promoting better, healthier lunch options. She added that canned fish is a nutritious and convenient yet often forgotten alternative to processed, salty, less healthy foods.

“Many popular lunch and snack options are high in calories, salt and sugar, but tuna is a healthier choice and a much better alternative,” she said.

Uachtarán CLG Jarlath Burns said John West Féile is an integral part of the GAA calendar. “It nurtures an enthusiasm for our games, where friendships and memories are made,” he said.

“Generations have experienced the joy of being a part of Féile na nGael and Féile Peile na nÓg, and I look forward to seeing this tradition continue this year.

“Our thanks to John West for their support in the promotion of this competition and to the national organising committee for their work on John West Féile 2024.”

Ladies Gaelic Football Association president Mícheál Naughton highlighted John West Féile’s emphasis on fun, friendship and participation.

“Players will make new friends and re-connect with old friends. John West Féile will once again provide young players with lifelong memories.”