The Calgary Canadian Irish Athletic Club (CCIAC) or the “Irish” (as we are better known as) was founded in 1971 by Derek Wright and Jim Sullivan as an athletic club based on Irish values and heritage but open to all-comers whatever their heritage or background. Both Derek and Jim continue to be involved to this day. We have been committed to being the premier outdoor athletic club in Calgary ever since.
It was decided early on not to confine the club’s activities to rugby, but to promote other amateur sports, and in 1973 a ladies field hockey section of the club was formed. In 1999 a Women’s Rugby team joined with the Irish to form one of the best Women’s Rugby programs in Canada.
The vision of the founding members was to introduce their native sport of Rugby & Field Hockey to all Calgary sports enthusiasts, something we continue to do today in all our programs from our U7’s through to our Senior teams.
The clubs founding charter states that we will “promote amateur sports, to improve and maintain the moral, intellectual, physical and social qualities of its members and to stimulate good citizenship and friendship.” We at the Calgary Irish believe we have held true to the original intent of our founding members.
In 1993 the Irish was the first rugby club in Calgary to open it’s own Clubhouse and Playing Fields, complete with 2 full size rugby pitches and 2 field hockey pitches. The Irish host annually the Alberta High School Icebreaker Tournament, St Patrick’s Day Touch and the Merv Popadynec Memorial Match.
We have over 400 members and have been fielding Senior Men/Women and Junior rugby teams, as well as a Ladies field hockey team in regular competitions and regular seasons for the past 35 years.
Since its inception the club has been honoured by the selection of many of its members to play for Canada, Men’s honours include the Captain of the Inaugural Sevens World Cupin Edinburgh in 1993 and representation on the Canadian 1999, 2003 and 2007 World Cup Squads. Our Women have also been honoured at the international level at both 7’s and 15’s including several members representing Canada in the 2010 Women’s Rugby World Cup.
The club has toured France and Ireland. In addition the club has hosted teams from Ireland, England, Wales, Scotland, Australia, Belgium, the United States and other Canadian clubs. The Club has gained a tremendous worldwide reputation for the hospitality it offers.
Membership in the Calgary Irish is open to all, you don’t have to be Irish to wear the “green” We run teams at the senior level from 19 and up and our junior rugby programs are for youngsters from 7 to 17.
Please contact us for more information at info@calgaryirish.com.