COASTAL VIRGINIA GAA
gaelic sport in hampton roads
2018 North American Junior C Hurling Champions
2018 North American Junior Camogie Champions
2018 Mid-Atlantic Camogie Champions
The Fastest Game on Grass
With written records dating back over 2,000 years, the Irish national sport of hurling is considered one of the oldest surviving field sports. In recent years, the ancient sport of Celtic warriors has been gaining
popularity around the world, especially in the melting pot of cultures that is the United States.
Hurling came to Coastal Virginia in Spring of 2009 when a small group picked up hurls in hand and began knocking about in a pickup game. The sport found a foothold in the diverse population of Hampton Roads and and in the Spring of 2014, what was then known as the Hampton Roads Hurling Club held its first pub league. That same year, a camogie club (the women's version of the sport) was formed in Virginia Beach and named Cumann na mBan, after a brigade of female Irish freedom fighters.
The Coastal Virginia GAA ("COVA") was formed in 2016, uniting the two teams as one club,
fulfilling a dream years in the making.
In 2017, COVA became a 501c(3) non-profit organization and registered over 20 new members.
We welcome all new-comers and invite you to join us at a practice or a game.
What is HURLING?
Hurling (and its sister sport of camogie), is the best sport you've never heard of. The object of game is for players to use a broad-headed wooden stick (the hurley) to hit a small ball (the sliotar) into an opponents’ H-shaped goal.
Over the crossbar earns one point while under the crossbar and into a net guarded by a goalkeeper is a three point goal.
The sliotar can be caught in the hand and carried for up to four steps, struck in the air, or struck on the ground with the hurley. It can also be kicked or hand passed (an open hand slap) for short-range passing.
A player who wants to carry the ball for more than four steps must "solo", involving balancing the sliotar on the end of the stick.
Upcoming Events
3/17
Recruiting Event:
Commonwealth Brewing Co.
Virginia Beach, VA
6pm-9pm
3/18
Ocean View St Paddy's Parade
Norfolk, VA
Starting 11am
4/02
COVA Spring Pub League Gosnold Hope Park
Hampton, VA. 10am
Join a Practice
Are you ready to try "the fastest game on grass"? Join us for one of our four practices. We have the gear, you bring a positive attitude, water, and cleats (if you have them), running shoes if you don't.
SUNDAY
Gosnold's Hope Park
HAMPTON
10AM - 12PM
Check the Coastal Virginia GAA Facebook page for the most up-to-date schedule.