SHANGHAI Gaelic Football Club is like a mini United Nations. With members from all over the world, including China, the club fields men’s, women’s and children’s teams.

The women’s team, known as the Shanghai Mums, will be competing in the All China Games tomorrow at Shanghai Rugby Football Club.

As the name suggests, the team comprises a group of women who are all mothers. The average age of team members is 40, with English native Sarah Austin the youngest at 31.

Austin has astounded teammates by returning to the team only two months after giving birth to her son William last July.

“When I found out about the pregnancy early last year, I was already so excited about the 2013 Asia Games tournament, which was held in October (in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia),” says Austin, also the club’s chairperson. “Despite knowing I might miss the event, for which we had a good chance at the title, I kept training until I was six months pregnant, and kept myself fit throughout.

“Then William was born on July 20 — four weeks early. And I found I had exactly two months for training. Nobody thought I would be able to compete and the coach didn’t have my name on the team list. But I made it.”

To be able to play in the tournament, Austin says she had to store breast milk in the freezer as she was going to be away from William for a few days.

“Even during the tournament, I needed to pump my breasts, so it was crazy ... But it became the most incredible experience in my whole life,” says the team’s Most Improved Player in 2012, noting that they went on to win the championship.

Other squad members include captain Sinead O’Donavan, a strong player who is in her 40s and has three young children; she works at Microsoft. Michelle Surlis is a Chinese national who is in her 40s and has a young child and manages the Irishman’s pub in Shanghai.

Peter Mooney, coach of the women’s teams at SGFC, is a long-term member of the club and promoter of Gaelic football who also organizes tournaments in Asia.

“We are proud because we are one of the very few sports clubs in China that has more women members than men,” he says.

The Irishman came to Shanghai seven years ago and found the club after an online search. He soon took on coaching duties. Mooney and other coaches contribute their time on a voluntary basis.

The club also invites professional Gaelic football coaches from Ireland to give clinics from time to time thanks to financial support from the Irish government.

According to Mooney, eight cities in China have teams good enough to compete internationally with the Shanghai and Hong Kong the biggest. There are also Gaelic football teams in Britain, North America, Australia, the Middle East, as well as Asian countries like Japan and South Korea.

The club is now considering reaching out to the city’s international schools to help the sport grow.

Mooney says the sport suits Chinese players.

“They are quick with great balance, which enables them to avoid tackles. Any Chinese with some soccer or basketball foundations would find it easy to pick up Gaelic football,” he says.

SGFC also has a social dimension, bringing expats and locals together. Meng Jing, or Jack, is one of them.

The Asian director of Athlone Institute of Technology, Meng has a busy work schedule and is the father of a 4-year-old girl. Still, he has found time to become a key player on the SGFC’s top men’s team.

“There are lots of youngsters in the club, and this helps me feel young,” says the 32-year-old. “I’ve made quality friends and the club has become an important part of my life.”

Meng says he learned about the sport while studying at a college in Ireland. He joined SGFC in 2011, when he was voted the team’s Most Improved Player, an award he also won last year.

He is one of the two Chinese players on the men’s top team and has a big chance of being named captain for the All China Games tournament.

Meng is also proud of the women’s team.

“It’s fun having men and women train together,” he says. “And we can easily attract many spectators during practices thanks to our charming women players.”

As for Austin, she says it’s great to do something other than being a mom.

“William is now everything to me and he will come first,” she says. “However, it’s important to keep up your own pursuits and friendships, that’s the key to happiness.

“It’s also healthy for the child. He will not only see me as a mother, but someone who has her own interests,” she adds.

Austin has an athletic background, growing up playing tennis and field hockey. She played on the England youth hockey team until the age of 18. She has also run in marathon events held in Shanghai, Beijing and Xiamen, Fujian Province.

Having taken part in a large number of competitive tournaments and bagged a lot of medals, she is still proudest of the All China Games title last October.

“I put in so much effort to make it happen, and the result came out to be rewarding,” Austin says.

The Briton says she arrived in Shanghai eight years ago, and is now an early childhood educator and teacher at Pudong International School.

With a height of 158cm and a slender frame, Austin has surprised many in the physical sport that involves tackling, shouldering, catching high passes and battling for the ball. Her speed, agility, stamina and sound positioning make her a valuable teammate.

Being the club’s chairperson means a lot of extra work, but Austin says she loves it because it keeps her enthusiasm and spirit high.

She also is thankful to have a supportive husband, who manages an equipment company in Shanghai. He makes sure Austin has the time to take part in practices, games and other club activities. He often brings William to practices and matches.

Austin is looking forward to tomorrow’s tournament, which she thinks they can win.

“I can’t wait for match day,” she says. “Some of the mothers only gave birth seven or nine months ago. It will show all women that you can still pursu things and have a complete life after having children.”

As for Meng, he hopes the club will attract more local players in the future.

“They will love Gaelic football as long as they give it a try,” he says. “I promise.”

Shanghai Gaelic Football Club

Founded in 2001, Shanghai Gaelic Football Club is one of the city’s oldest and most well-established sports clubs with teams for men, women and children at various skill levels.

Club members are from places including Ireland, China, USA, New Zealand, Australia, England, Scotland, France and Belgium. There are around 80 members with 45 of them women.

SGFC holds two training sessions a week — two hours on Tuesdays evenings at Luwan Stadium, and another two hours on Saturdays afternoon at Shanghai Rugby Football Club in Pudong.

More practices are added when preparing for a match. The club also organizes off-pitch activities for members and their families.

The club is hosting the All China Games this year in Shanghai tomorrow. The past two tournaments were held in Beijing.

Club registration is usually in February and September. The All China Games is held annually in May while the Asian Games is held in October.

All China Games

Date: May 31, 9am

Venue: Shanghai Rugby Football Club, 2700 Zhangyang Rd, Pudong

Admission: Free

How to get there: Metro Line 6 Zhouhai Road Station

The club operates on membership. Those who want to join the club, check www.shanghaigaelic.com or e-mail to shanghaigaelic@gmail.com.