IRISH AMERICAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE – 1 SEPTEMBER 2003

PHIL DEMONTE APPOINTED AS IRISH NATIONAL TEAM HEAD COACH.

Coach Phil DeMonte was appointed as the new Head Coach of the Irish National Team at the IAFA/IAFL quarterly meeting held in Greystones yesterday evening (31/8/03).

Coach DeMonte is a native of New York, but has spent the past few years coaching in Britain. He comes to Ireland after having spent a very successful spell with the Oxford University Cavaliers in the British Collegiate American Football League. The Cavaliers have had winning seasons in each of the past 5 seasons. Under Coach DeMonte, they won the British Collegiate championship in 2001 and reached the final in 2002. The British American Football Coaches Association awarded him the BCAFL Coach of the Year award in 2001 and he was appointed International Director of the Great Britain Bulldogs squad. Coach DeMonte has also held Head Coaching positions with the Welsh National Team, the Oxford Saints (British Senior League) and the Bristol Aztecs (British Senior League).

In addition to the normal duties as Head Coach of the Irish National Team, Coach DeMonte will also take a very active role in the training and development of both players and coaches in Ireland.

Coach DeMonte is due to accompany the GB Bulldogs on their tour of Italy later this month and will be relocating to Ireland shortly afterwards.

NEW NATIONAL TEAM UNIFORMS

The new jerseys for the Irish National Team have been unveiled. The new National Team jersey, pictured above, is kelly green in colour, with white numbers and "Ireland" printed on the front. New features include fitted sleaves and double layered shoulder area for extra strength. The jerseys are manufactured by Barnett Sports of France. Barnett will also partially sponsor the jerseys. The Irish National Team will wear the new jerseys when they return to action next autumn, however, we will be able to get a preview at the IAFL Allstar game where they will be worn by the South team.