The CYC logo showing part of an American flag, Canadian maple leaf and the GAA logo

The Continental Youth Championships (CYC) is an annual weekend tournament of Gaelic football, hurling, and camogie organized by the Gaelic Athletic Association. It is contested by teams from the US and Canada, and is a separate competition from the existing youth championships in the New York, Canadian, and NACB areas. It began in 2004, and its location rotates around various cities from year to year. The age of players ranges from Under 8 to Under 18.

Hosts:

Growth

The CYC has grown at a rapid rate since its inception. In 2006 it consisted of over 200 games played in three days. In 2014, 640 games were played in the four days. Reasons given for its popularity compared to the existing youth tournaments are:

  • Scheduling games at a time when children are not at school and when it is convenient and economical for kids and parents to travel
  • The whole weekend is focussed exclusively on the children rather than youth games being played alongside adult games that draw more attention
  • The atmosphere is a lot different from events such as the NACB play-offs because of the focus on underage games

The popularity of the CYC led to a decline in the number of teams participating in the North American Youth playoffs that used to run alongside the NACB adult play-offs on the Labor Day weekend. Teams from the US and Canada take part, and British teams used to compete before the British GAA formed their own competition.[5][6]

Management

The CYC was developed by the GAA's Overseas Development Committee under Gene Duffy, and is managed directly from Croke Park by the CYC Steering Committee that consists of officials at Croke Park as well as members of the GAA in North America. At local level, the event is planned by the CYC Hosting Committee whose membership changes from year to year as the tournament moves from city to city.

International Play

The tournament used to be highlighted by international games which took place before the rest of the tournament. This showcase highlighted the USGAA team (formerly the NACB team), the London All-Stars, and the New York All-Stars representing the NYGAA.

Year CYC Champion
2007 London
2008 London
2009 North American County Board
2010 North American County Board

References

  1. ↑ 9
  2. ↑ "Ashfield Boys enjoy American hurling success – News, East Belfast – Belfasttelegraph.co.uk". Archived from the original on 6 June 2011. Retrieved 9 December 2008.
  3. ↑ "Celtic Rock to benefit Gaelic football players- the New Haven Register – Serving New Haven, Connecticut". Archived from the original on 15 February 2012. Retrieved 9 December 2008.
  4. ↑ "Boston Welcome Letter" (PDF). amazonaws.com. 2018. Retrieved 18 November 2018.
  5. ↑ "Continental Youth Championships". Archived from the original on 21 August 2006. Retrieved 20 July 2006.
  6. ↑ "Continental Youth Championship Qualifier FINAL". 24 December 2006. Archived from the original on 31 July 2007. Retrieved 24 December 2006.
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