The Irish American Football Association (IAFA) is the National Governing Body for American Football in Ireland. The IAFA is recognised by the Irish Sports Council and the Federation of Irish Sports. It is affiliated to the European Federation of American Football (EFAF).

Activities

Irish American Football League
The IAFL plays adult, full contact American football using NCAA rules – those used in major college football in USA. Nine teams are playing in the Shamrock Bow Conference, which is Ireland’s top competitive league – Belfast Trojans, Carrickfergus Knights, Cork Admirals, Craigavon Cowboys, Dublin Rebels, Trinity College, UCD, UL Vikings and West Dublin Rhinos. A further seven teams are playing in IAFL-1 – Dublin Dragons, Drogheda Lightning, Meath Bulldogs, Mullingar Minotaurs, North Kildare Reapers and Waterford Wolves.

Flag Football
The IAFA runs flag football tournaments for both adult and youth players of various age categories. There are teams in most parts of the country, some affiliated to IAFL teams and others independent. The IAFA also runs a schools flag football programme and a Women In Sport programme, both of which are supported by the Irish Sports Council. These programmes are currently being delivered in primary and secondary schools in the midlands and cater for approx. 1,000 young athletes. Flag football is the perfect sport for young players who’d like to go on to kitted football at an older age, or for adult players interested in keeping fit and having fun.

Officiating

The IAFA Officiating Department is responsible for officiating in Ireland. It supplies officials to all levels of football in Ireland and to International tournaments run by EFAF. It also runs certification courses for officiating.

Coaching
The IAFA Coaching Department runs educational and certification courses for Irish Coaches. Certification courses are approved by Coaching Ireland.