Article authored by Aideen Rodrigues — Youth Officer, Gwened Vannes Football Gaélique
This Saturday, 14 March 2026, Breton club Gwened Vannes Football Gaélique will make history in the world of Gaelic Games by hosting the very first Go Games blitz ever held outside Ireland.
More than 50 children aged 6 to 12, from six clubs across Brittany and the Pays de la Loire, will come together at the Complexe sportif de Kerbiquette in Vannes from 1.30pm to 5pm for an afternoon of Gaelic football, fun and games – just days before St Patrick’s Day.
Gaelic Football for Every Child
Go Games is the official GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association) programme for children up to 12 years of age. Developed in Ireland around fifteen years ago, the programme is built on a simple but fundamental principle – and its name says it all: “Go”, as in “get a go, have a go”. Every child plays in every match, for the full duration of the game, without exception.
Matches are played in small teams, with age-adapted rules, on reduced-size pitches. There are no official scores, no trophies, no eliminations – just fun, learning and movement. The goal is to give every child, regardless of their level, the playing time, the confidence and the skills they need to develop and keep playing.
Six Clubs, Over 50 Children, a Day to Remember
For this inaugural blitz, six clubs are taking part: Nantes, Liffré, Lorient, Guérande, Quimper and hosts Vannes. The day will bring together over 50 young players in a warm, family-friendly atmosphere, open to everyone — players, parents, supporters and curious onlookers all welcome!
“This blitz is about much more than sport. It’s proof that Gaelic Games are putting down deep roots here in Brittany. Seeing over fifty children from across the region come together to play, in that spirit of inclusion and fair play that is at the heart of Go Games – that is exactly why we do this work.” —Aideen Rodrigues, Youth Officer, Gwened Vannes Football Gaélique
Vannes is thus a true pioneer: this blitz marks the launch of Go Games outside Ireland, just weeks before the official rollout of the programme across the whole of Europe, scheduled for 9 May 2026 — Europe Day. A symbolic date chosen deliberately by Gaelic Games Europe to mark the establishment of Gaelic Games on the continent.
“The launch of Go Games in continental Europe is a major milestone for the development of Gaelic Games beyond Ireland. This format has proven itself — it gives every child a place on the pitch, the chance to develop at their own pace, and above all to fall in love with the game. It is wonderful news for the French clubs, and for the future of Gaelic Games in Europe.” — Pearse Bell, Youth Officer, Gaelic Games Europe
About Gwened Vannes Football Gaélique
Gwened Vannes Football Gaélique is a club affiliated to the GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association), the Irish sporting organisation founded in 1884, which today has over 500 clubs worldwide. Based in Vannes, the club welcomes players of all ages, united by their passion for Gaelic football and Irish culture. It is a member of the Fédération Française de Football Gaélique and part of the Gaelic Games Europe network, which brings together Gaelic clubs from across continental Europe.
Europe-wide Go Games
Six clubs in five different countries will offer Go Games programs of the same scale as the great work of all in Vannes. This is a statement of solid growth and a testament to the hard-working youth Officers of Europe who are more than ready to dive straight into any initiatives that help bring on more games!
Press contact
Aideen Rodrigues — Youth Officer, Gwened Vannes Football Gaélique
📧 a.rodrigues@vannes-football-gaelique.com 📞 06 58 97 33 63
