Note to Members – Navy v Notre Dame.
The IAFA Board would like to update members on what has happened since our previous note on this matter which issued on 7th July 2012 (see below). There are still many outstanding issues to be resolved, including some regulatory issues. The IAFA has made multiple attempts to resolve these issues amicably including arranging settlement talks and formally requesting that the matter be sent to mediation. Unfortunately the United States Naval Academy chose to terminate the settlement talks without agreement and has declined the request for mediation. We have received advice from Senior Counsel on the matter. We have also been keeping the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport in the picture.
The IAFA is fully committed to developing the sport in this country. It is disappointed that the schools flag football programme that would have been the lasting legacy of this game will not go ahead to the extent proposed.
Any press enquiries on the matter received by members should be directed to Terry Lynch (press@americanfootball.ie) who is our official spokesperson on these matters.
IAFA Board 9th August 2012.
IAFA Statement to Press 8th August 2012 (in response to Navy statement).
The Irish American Football Association is the officially recognised National Governing Body for the sport in Ireland. Its authority to sanction all American football activities in Ireland is very clear.
It should be noted that Navy did not avail of the option to appeal any aspect of the sanction conditions attached to the Emerald Isle Classic. Navy signed the sanction documentation on 16th March 2011 after having been in possession of the proposed conditions since 21st October 2010. Until recently, they have not communicated any difficulties in respect of these matters to the IAFA.
The IAFA agrees that the sanctioning of the Navy v Notre Dame game does not fall under the jurisdiction of the IFAF sanctioning procedures. These only apply to participants in IFAF sanctioned International competitions e.g. the IFAF World Championships.
Irish American Football Association, 8th August 2012.
Note to Members – Navy v Notre Dame.
As you are probably aware, Navy are playing Notre Dame in Aviva Stadium on 1st September this year. It goes without saying that this event presents many opportunities to promote the sport in Ireland. When this fixture was first announced, the IAFA engaged with Navy regarding appropriate sanction conditions for the game and subsequently Navy signed the IAFA’s sanction documentation. In addition to the usual routine regulatory matters, the sanction conditions agreed included some grassroots development initiatives and promotional/recognition measures for the sport in Ireland.
Since then, there has been no indication from Navy that the majority of the sanction conditions are being complied with. As the game is fast approaching and deadlines for the implementation of some of these conditions have already passed, the IAFA has engaged Lemans Solicitors to act on its behalf.
IAFA Board
7th July 2012
