Women’s sports are a great way to make friends and stay in shape. If you miss being part of a team like you were in high school or college, or maybe you’re just sick of running on the treadmill, camogie is just what you’re looking for.

The Indianapolis Gaelic Athletic Association (Indy GAA) has two female sports teams that are open to adult women of any age and skill level: camogie and Gaelic football. We have practices, local games, and national tournaments that we participate in. Once you pick up a hurley, you’ll never want to put it down. We’ll explain what camogie is, how you can play, and how to join the Indy GAA.

What is Camogie?

Camogie is women’s hurling. Hurling is an Irish sport that dates back thousands of years and is still played to this day. If you’ve ever played lacrosse, field hockey, or softball, you’ve got the start of some great Camogie skills.

Hurling is often referred to as the fastest game on grass, and the ladies who play camogie are no exception. While Camogie shares many similarities with hurling, it also has its own distinct rules and characteristics.

Equipment: Players use a wooden stick called a hurley, to strike a small ball known as a sliotar. The hurley is a flat stick, like a paddle. The hurley is used to pick up the sliotar off the ground and move it to the hand to strike the ball like a baseball, or it can be hit off the ground like in field hockey.

Objective: The primary objective of camogie is to score points by striking the sliotar between the opposing team’s goalposts. A goal is worth three points and is scored when the sliotar crosses the goal line and enters the net beneath the crossbar. A point is worth one point and is scored when the sliotar goes over the crossbar between the goalposts.

Each scoring type is counted separately, which means players and spectators must do the math themselves to figure out who is winning.

If one team scores 4 goals below the bar and 5 points above the bar, and the other team scores two 2 goals below the bar, and 3 points over the bar, the score is 4-5 to 2-3.

Field of Play: Camogie is typically played on a grass field of similar dimensions to a hurling pitch, although there may be minor variations. The field is divided into zones, including the defensive, midfield, and attacking areas, and features goalposts at each end.

Player Positions: Similar to hurling, camogie is played with teams consisting of 15 players each. Players are assigned specific positions, including a goalkeeper, defenders, midfielders, and forwards. Each player has a designated role within the team, and teamwork and strategic play are essential for success.

Rules: Camogie has its own set of rules, which are similar to those of hurling but with some variations to account for the differences in player size and strength. For example, there are specific rules regarding physical contact and tackling to ensure player safety. The sliotar is smaller in camogie than it is in hurling. Camogie players can also handpass to score a goal which is not allowed in Hurling.

How is Camogie Different From Hurling?

The key differences between camogie and hurling are the size of the ball and some of the contact rules. However, most women who play Camogie can play Hurling without issue. Indy GAA encourages a recreational co-ed environment so that everyone can play together. This environment tends to be beneficial for our female players because when they are used to playing Hurling with men they become used to the intensity of Hurling, and find great relief when playing amongst women.

The differences aren’t as extreme as men’s and women’s lacrosse, but more like men’s and women’s hockey. The game and equipment are essentially the same, but it’s just more fun to play among your peers. The more women we have in the Indy GAA, the more opportunities we have to play with other camogie teams.

How Can I Play Camogie In Indianapolis?

The Indy GAA has a variety of ways for women to participate. No experience is necessary to join, we’ll happily teach you how to play. Check out our events calendar to see when our practices, games, and other events are. Once you start playing, you’ll instantly become addicted.

Every team needs uniforms, and ours are some of the coolest. Many of our sponsors are local breweries and we thank them for their support by having get-togethers at their establishments. The teams that hang out together have the strongest bonds and play the best on the field.

Pub League

The Indy GAA has enough members that every year we make up 6-8 co-ed recreational teams. These teams play each other on Sunday mornings from April – August at Eugene Burns Park in Indianapolis. These games are a great way to learn the sport and play it with regularity so your skills can grow.
Spectators are allowed to watch but are encouraged to bring their own chairs.

Practices

We have regular practices throughout spring and summer. Practices are co-ed and are a great way to hone your skills. In preparation for Camogie tournaments, the women will have their own dedicated practices. It’s a great time to get to know your teammates before a big game.

Premiere Night

Come sit in the stands at Kuntz Stadium in Indianapolis on select Friday nights during the summer for Premiere Night. This is a time when Camogie players can play together in a game setting. These games are open to the public to watch in stadium seating and see how the game moves.

Tournaments

The Indy GAA is part of the Heartland Division of the USGAA. The USGAA is the governing body of the Gaelic Athletic Association in America that oversees over 130 adult and youth clubs spanning approximately 50 cities in the United States. We participate in camogie, hurling, and Gaelic football tournaments all over the country. At the end of the summer, the USGAA puts on a national tournament, which Indy often participates in. The Indy GAA also hosts a tournament in June at the Indianapolis World Sports Park where our women play as a team.

However, we understand that many of our players have full-time jobs and families that depend on them. They can’t commit to tournaments every weekend. This is not a travel league and if you miss a game, you’re kicked off the team. If you want to participate in other tournaments, there is ample opportunity to do so, but you are by no means pressured to go. But if you want to join a women-only sport and only want to play with women in tournaments, you absolutely can do that too.

Make Female Friends in Indianapolis – Join The Indy GAA

If you’re looking to join a team that works hard and plays hard, the Indy GAA camogie team is just what you’re searching for. If you’re interested in joining, check out our events calendar and come watch us play. Or if you want to get a hurley in your hands right away, contact us to join.