The Airdrie Irish Football team is excitedly waiting on the start of the 2019 Alberta Football League.

The team is one of six across the province made up of players over 18. The local team is comprised of players between the ages of 18 and 37.

The Irish will be hosting a final spring camp ahead of the first game in May.

“We have the spring camp coming up on April 27th, it’s going to be held in Cochrane because they have a nice turf field, and then we have another practice on Sunday,” said player and Airdrie Irish Football Club board member James Balsdon.

The first game of the year goes May 25th in Cold Lake. The home opener will happen on June first against the Calgary Wolf Pack.

“It’s going to be our big rival game,” said Balsdon.

“Last year was kind of a building year for us. It was the start of something new for this year. This year I think we’re going to be one of the more competitive teams in the league, look for us to be near the top of [the] standings.”

If the team does well they will advance to playoffs, then provincials and even a shot at a national title.

The Irish will be hosting a team meet and greet fundraiser at Tap and Vine in Airdrie on April 27th, Balsdon said without community support they wouldn’t be able to travel across Alberta to play.

“We rely big on sponsorships and team fees and stuff like that, so we’ve been out in the community doing some charity stuff and fundraisers and we’re starting to see sponsorships roll in and Airdrie is really starting to put back into our team,” Balsdon said.

For more information on the fundraiser and the team, click HERE.