The Gaelic Football and Hurling Association of South Australia (formerly the Gaelic Athletic Association) was formed in 1967. Originally, Gaelic Football and Hurling matches were played on a social basis in the parklands that surround the city of Adelaide. In 1967, the GAA was formally established and a “home ground” was obtained at TK Shutter Reserve, Klemzig, approx 10km northeast of the city of Adelaide. Throughout the 70’s and 80’s, matches were also regularly played at Elizabeth, 20km north of Adelaide, and Christies Beach, 20km south of Adelaide.

During the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s, Irish immigration to South Australia was strong which allowed for a good competition with a large number of supporters. Each year approx 6 teams competed in the Gaelic Football and Hurling competitions with around 100-150 participants. Our State was instrumental in establishing the Gaelic Athletic Association of Australasia in the early 1970’s. Its annual convention was held in Adelaide until 2006 and our state continues to play a significant role in this body. Most years, South Australia has competed in the Australasian Gaelic Football and Hurling Championships, and has also hosted a number of very successful games.

The mid 80’s saw a steady increase in non-Irish Australian participants of all ethnic backgrounds.

Over time, the Irish community aged and there was less Irish immigration to South Australia due to lack of job opportunities. Australian Rules football has always been extremely popular in Adelaide, even amongst our own members, and in 1991 the entry of the first Adelaide team into the Australian Football League (AFL) occurred. These factors resulted in a decline in both player and spectator numbers, then when a second team entered the AFL in 1997 (Port Adelaide), our Association was on the brink of collapse. No longer could we play our games on Sunday afternoons in winter, directly clashing with AFL games being played in Adelaide or being televised live on TV.

A major restructuring of our organization’s activities was required, and fast.

The major changes that were implemented in 1997 were the move to a summer season and the introduction of a 7-a-side competition. Other changes included a "pay as you play system" with incentives to Clubs for providing match officials, and the interchange system, whilst retaining all other playing rules. The games were played at TK Shutter Reserve at Klemzig on Wednesday and Friday evenings with three men’s 15-a-side teams and five men’s 7-a-side teams. The Association struggled to attract spectators and sufficient players, particularly for the 15-a-side competition. However, the 7-a-side competition was moderately successful and eventually proved the saviour of the Association.

After 30 years at TK Shutter Reserve, the decision was made in 1998 to move all games from Klemzig. We also decided the only way to grow would be to concentrate on the 7-a-side competition. January 1998 was the beginning of the revival of Gaelic Football in South Australia.

The Association moved all games to Brighton Rugby Club in a beachside suburb approximately 10km southwest of Adelaide. The excellent bar and clubroom facilities and the ability to play games under-lights on Friday nights resulted in an influx of new players and teams from other football codes, and with them a large number of spectators. Many people from the Irish community that we hadn't seen for some time heard about the revival, were happy with what they saw and became involved again in Gaelic Football.

Seven 7-a-side men’s teams competed in the season from January to March 1999 and, for the first time in South Australia, women’s Gaelic Football was played each week, thanks to a small but dedicated group of women.

At around this time we received encouragement and tangible support from the GAA in Croke Park, Ireland, through Joe McDonough (then President), Pat Daly, Debbie Massey and the players in the Irish Under 17 and Senior touring squads for the International series. The International Rules games played in October provided an enormous boost for our Association. The overwhelming interest in the series, which saw over 47,000 fill Football Park in Adelaide, followed through to our local competition.

The 1999/2000 season began in late October 1999 with seven men’s teams and five women’s teams at Brighton playing 9-a-side football. Despite having programs set for the early 2000 season, an additional team was entered into the competition which was expanded to 11-a-side. Games were now being played on Friday nights and Sunday evenings and membership soared to almost 300, the highest figure in the 33-year history of the Association.

During the time of rebuilding, a number of other changes were made to ensure the future of the Association. A permanent office area was established in the city at a building for state sporting associations owned by the South Australian Government. Regular funding from the South Australian Government commenced for the development of a school’s program, which saw Gaelic Football introduced to thousands of students each year. We were the first Association in Australasia to have an official website and we developed a 5-year strategic plan with many targets achieved in the first 3 years. On the administration side, the Association is strong with a full committee of unique characters, comprising a vibrant blend of youth and experience.

The Association has continued from strength to strength. In October 2000, we hosted a very successful Australasian Championships. The Championships saw the SA Senior and Minor teams compete for first time since 1995 and the first ever South Australian Women's Gaelic Football team. Since then our Minor teams have won the Championships 3 times, our Men's teams have featured regularly in the Semi Finals and Grand Finals, and our Women's teams show strong improvement and also feature in the Semi Finals. The Men's and Women's teams are close to becoming Australasian Champions and will have our best opportunity in 2008 when the Championships will be held in Adelaide.

In 2000 we secured a permanent home ground at St Marys Park with the help of the City of Mitcham. With the aid of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) in Ireland, floodlights were installed to enable games to be played under lights and competition commenced there in the 2001/02 season. The President of the GAA, Sean McCague, and the visiting Ireland team officially opened the facility.

A second competition, 7-a-side at Gaza Football Club, was created and ran for several years. In conjunction with the St Marys 9-a-side competition, they provided an avenue for many Australians to be introduced to the game of Gaelic Football and as a feeder competition to our State League teams.

For the last few years, a  popular Women's winter 7-a-side comp has been run to complement our Women's State Team training.

At it's peak, we had 10 men's teams in our State League comp, and about 30 other teams in all other comps, with about 700 players in total. The State League comps have since levelled out to 7 Men's teams and 6 Women's teams. Our focus now is to provide quality competition and development programs. This summer (07/08), Gaelic football will be played 5 nights and 1 morning each week.

Our organisation continues to be progressive and youthful. Plans for the near future include developing Junior programs and competitions for boys and girls aged from 6 - 18 years; also development of games for intellectually and physically disabled people; and to fulfil our dream of building new clubrooms and further develop the facilities at St Marys Park. We also plan to be the first Gaelic Football association in Australia and New Zealand to employ a full time Development Manager.