Hurling has been a central part of Irish heritage and culture since the 14th century. Today, hurling is played throughout Ireland and endures as the country's national sport. Although the game is no longer played professionally, the sport's athletes continue to be some of the strongest and toughest in the world.

As one of the largest clubs in the country, the Milwaukee Hurling Club (MHC) brings this tradition of Irish athletic competition to Milwaukee.

Hurling is a field sport with 15 players per side. The stick, known as a hurl, is curved, made of ash and specially ordered from Ireland by the club. Referred to as "the fastest game on grass," the game's object is the skillful and quick movement of the "sliothar" up and down the field.

While hurling may be true to its Irish roots, the Milwaukee Hurling Club is also true to its local roots. The club is made up primarily of American members and although they didn't grow up with the sport, they continue to builda hurling tradition here. Local games, sponsors and social events have pulled hurling into the local scene as it continues to expand each year.

The Milwaukee league consists of eight coed hurling teams. There is a coed youth league and a team that plays Camogie, a sport for women and girls that is similar to hurling. The MHC also has two travelling squads and has competed in Ireland.

The hurling season runs from April to late August with Milwaukee's practices and games falling on Thursday and Sunday. Games are played at Riverside High School, Brown Deer Park and Glen Hills Middle School and Kletzsch Park in Glendale.

And this spring, the MHC has a list of related events in the Milwaukee area. Free youth hurling clinics are offered March 21 and 24 in preparation for late-March practices.