Over 400 children from the Jobstown area of Tallaght in Co. Dublin attended a 2 day flag football expo run by the Irish Flag Football Association during Active School Week. Local primary school children were instructed on the basics skills of American football and took part in flag football games as part of an intiative to introduce the sport to newcomers. It is hoped that the IFFA School Flag Football programme, which has been successfully piloted in the midlands over the past 2 years, will be introduced to the area during the 2011/2012 school year.

The Irish American Football Association (IAFA) has been awarded an Educational Development Programme (EDP) grant by the International Federation of American Football (IFAF).  Grants have been awarded to 15 of IFAF’s c.50 members worldwide.  The aim of the EDP is to develop youth and junior football throughout the world and it is primarily funded by the NFL.

The IAFA plans to use the EDP funding, along with grant aid received from the Irish Sports Council, to significantly expand the schools flag football programme, which has been piloted in the Midlands over the past couple of years. It is anticipated that the programme will be scaled up for the 2011/2012 school year.

A copy of IFAF’s official press release is below:

  Press Release

The International Federation of American Football (IFAF) has provided grants to 15 member federations spanning four continents to benefit youth and junior American Football development through the IFAF Education Development Program.

Educating coaches, officials, administrators, development personnel and players at junior (19-and-under) and youth (15-and-under) levels is a primary focus for IFAF, the international governing body of American football worldwide.  The cornerstone is the IFAF Education Development Program (EDP), which encompasses an evolving series of initiatives in order to benefit all IFAF members on multiple levels.  By creating meaningful and sustainable initiatives, IFAF ensures a strong foundation is in place to support future growth and development.  

IFAF member federations submitted EDP applications requesting almost $200,000 USD in funding.  Those whose applications were successful are: Argentina, Bahamas, Brazil, Canada, Finland, France, Great Britain, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Korea, Nigeria, PAFAF (Pan American Federation of American Football), Poland and Spain.

“We were impressed by the wide range of initiatives that were proposed and encouraged by the anticipated outcomes, which will further our goal of developing the sport of American football internationally within our member federations,” said IFAF President TOMMY WIKING.  “I am confident that youth and junior players and the volunteers and coaches who help them progress as players and as representatives of the sport will benefit greatly from this funding.”

 The EDP initiatives are available to IFAF federations both national and continental level as a result of funding IFAF receives from the NFL Youth Football Fund.  IFAF has four continental federations (Asia, Europe, Oceania and Pan-America) and 59 national federations.

IAFA hosted the first ever EFAF Conference on Flag Football in Dublin over the weekend of the 16/17th October. Delegates from Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland and Sweden attended the conference.

Among the issues discussed was the introduction of the revised rules for Flag Football, planning for future events and the publication of a hosting guide for competitions.

“Flag Football has taken a great step forward with this conference and there have been lots of great ideas exchanged. Of course, we are delighted that Ireland hosted this event and the we are playing a leading role in the development of Flag Football in Europe” said Conference Chairman, Greg Loughran.

The Team Ireland Under 13’s squad had a very impressive debut in the European Flag Football Championship Finals, played in Rome, Italy over the weekend of 17th to 19th September. The team finished in second place overall, after reaching the Final, where they were defeated by reigning Champions, the Netherlands.

The Irish team got off to a very impressive start in the league stage of the competition with comprehensive victories over Austria and Germany on Saturday morning. The team then lost to Switzerland on Saturday afternoon.  On Sunday morning, they were involved in two close games – losing to host country Italy by only 1 point and then beating the Netherlands by 1 point.  Three wins qualified the team for the Semis.

Team Ireland had a comfortable 33-24 victory over Austria in the Semi-final, but then lost by 39-13 to the Netherlands in the Grand Final.

The players representing Ireland were selected from the schools currently participating in the Schools Flag Football programme underway in the Midlands.  This is the first time that an Irish underage flag football team contested a European finals. All of the players in the squad were introduced to the sport for the firts time through the Schools Flag programme. The team is being coached by Ken Farrell and Aidan Waters, both of whom are involved in the programme.  What is also notable, is that the Irish squad was the youngest in the competition. As the players were selected from Primary Schools, the majority are only 11 or 12 years old and so will still qualify for U13 level next year.

All games were played in Rome’s Stadio Pasquale Giannattasio.

The tournament website is: http://www.euroflagrome2010.com

Team Ireland Results:

Saturday 18th:

Ireland 32 -14 Austria

Ireland 49-19 Germany

Ireland 0-13 Switzerland.

Sunday 19th:

Ireland 26-27 Italy

Ireland 20-19 Netherlands.

Semi-Final:

Ireland 33-24 Austria

Final:

Ireland 13-39 Netherlands.

The Team Ireland Under 13 Flag Football team is competing in the European Junior Flag Championships taking place in Rome, Italy over the weekend of 17^th to 19^th September.

The players representing Ireland have been selected from the schools currently participating in the Schools Flag Football programme underway in the Midlands. This is the first time that an Irish underage flag football team will contest a European finals. The team is being coached by Ken Farrell and Aidan Waters, both of whom are involved in the Schools Flag Football programme.

The other participants in the U13 category are Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Netherlands and host country, Italy. Team Ireland will play Austria, Germany and Switzerland on Saturday 18^th and Netherlands and Italy on Sunday 19^th. The top teams in the league stage will qualify for the final on Sunday afternoon.

All games are taking place in Rome’s Stadio Pasquale Giannattasio.

The tournament website is: http://www.euroflagrome2010.com

Results of Team Ireland’s games will be posted on this site.

Causeway Convicts ( Orange ) against the Dromore Warhawks

An open Flag Football tournament will take place at St.Anne’s Park, Raheny,

Dublin on Saturday 21st August.

The competition will begin at 12 noon, with registration from 11am.

Team Ireland U13 Flag Football is ready to travel to Rome, Italy, for the EFAF Junior Flag Championships over the weekend of 18/19 September.
Coaches Ken Farrell and Aidan Waters have worked hard to prepare the team for their first ever entry into a European competition.
The championship will take place in the Pasquale Giannattasio Stadium, Ostia in Rome.

• Recreational, non-contact version of American football
• Teams are divided into men’s and women’s
• Focuses on speed and skill rather than strength and muscle

Where and When?

• Craigavon Cowboys hold open try outs/training Every Sunday at Brownlow Sports Campus in Craigavon at 11:30am.  Just bring football boots.

Why Join?

• Improves Fitness
• Improves Co-ordination
• Improves Teamwork Skills
• Improves Agility and Flexibility

AND MOSTLY TO HAVE FUN

Our mission is to provide an opportunity for all females regardless of race, nationality, age, economic status or sexual orientation to enjoy healthy competition.

Contact Terry Lynch on 077 6679 8724

JOIN YOUR LOCAL TEAM NOW

Womens Flag Football

Everyone is welcome to enter a team.

For further details contact lukozade16@hotmail.com