The NGFC 2026 Gala

Exactly a month ago, we had the most exciting evening of the year: the Nijmegen GFC Gala. Every year before the summer break, we organise the Nijmegen GFC Gala to reflect on the past season, say goodbye to members who are leaving, hand out the annual club awards, and, of course, have some good craic together.

On the 26th of June, we left our jerseys in the closet, put on our fanciest clothes, swapped our boots for heels, and cycled to the city centre of Nijmegen instead of the football pitches in Malden. There is one important detail to mention about the day: it was one of the hottest days ever recorded in the Netherlands. Not only were we looking hot in our gala outfits, but we were also dealing with a literal heatwave. A code red weather warning had been issued, and the temperature reached 39.4°C. Needless to say, we had to make a few adjustments to our dresses, suits, and make-up.

We gathered at Restaurant de Waagh in the heart of Nijmegen, a beautiful historic building and the perfect location for a gala evening. Fortunately, de Waagh had air conditioning, allowing us to cool down after cycling through the 39-degree heat. The evening started with a three-course dinner, and every course was delicious.

After dessert, it was time for the annual award ceremony. These awards are our way of recognising the incredible commitment people show both on and off the pitch. Although almost everyone in the club deserves recognition for the time and energy they put into making our club what it is, the awards shine a spotlight on a few outstanding contributions each year. The Best Beginner Player awards went to Colin and Nyncke, while the Best Experienced Player awards were presented to Marc and Laura. A special award was given to Brian for his dedication as one of the club's coaches, and finally, the Club Member of the Year award went to Nyncke. I might be slightly biased about the last award, but I'm fairly certain the judges couldn't overlook these exceptional blog posts. There are plenty more members who could have walked away with an award, but unfortunately the awards budget wasn't quite unlimited.

After the speeches and award ceremony, the tables were moved aside, and it was finally time to party, this time with the air conditioning working in our favour. An open bar and a photobooth completed the evening perfectly. Once the party at de Waagh came to an end, we continued the celebrations with karaoke at Roxy's, where, unsurprisingly, the singing was a little less impressive than the football.

To end with, a huge thank you to everyone who made this Gaelic football year so special. From the games and tournaments to the social events and everything in between, it has been an amazing season. A special thank you to everyone who is leaving the club this year; your contributions to Nijmegen GFC will definitely be missed. For me personally, this also marks the end of my time at Nijmegen GFC, at least for now. As a Dutch person who knew nothing about Gaelic football before joining the club, I never expected to become so attached to this sport and community. Thank you for an unforgettable year; I will take many great memories of this club with me.

Hopefully see you all again soon (on the pitch or over a pint)!