American Football Ireland are delighted to announce the appointment of Guillaume Poznanski (GP) as our new Director of Flag Football. Guillaume is no stranger to the role, having already served 5 years as Director of Flag Football for his first stint 8 years ago, and has coached for numerous teams in Ireland, most recently the National Flag Football programm and the South Dublin Panthers U18 Women’s Flag Football team. This experience, we believe, will be key to the further development of the sport here in Ireland across all age groups.
Guillaume had this to say on his appointment:
“Flag Football is a global sport accessible to all walks of life, and there lies in the beauty of it. The game is competitive but fun and available to everyone, welcoming athletes of all abilities, genders and levels of experience. Sport has a unique ability to bring people together in such a way that allows us to transcend our differences and find common ground. Ireland is a special place because of its sport history and tradition and flag football deserves its place in it.
My expectations for the steady expansion of Flag Football in Ireland are simple: I want to make sure that we provide a nationally competitive, broad-based programme that inspires and focuses on growing a sport that fosters excellence, respect and friendship. Excellence by doing the best we can, by taking part and progressively raising the level of the game. Respect of oneself, for other people, for rules, for the sport. Friendship to encourage us to see sport as an instrument for mutual understanding between individuals and groups.
‘Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to people in a language they understand. Sport can create hope where once there was only despair.‘ – Nelson Mandela.”
American Football Ireland can also announce the appointment of Joe Kinahan to the position of Assistant Director of Flag Football. Joe has been a part of our Communications team since June 2021, but has long been a member of the Irish flag football scene, having played with the Westmeath Minotaurs and — more recently — served as player and President of the MU Hurricanes.
Joe had this to say on his appointment:
“Flag football is how my football journey started off 11 years ago, and I’m happy that I’ve kept it going and gotten even more involved in it. It is a fun, engaging, perhaps more accessible way to play American football, so I can’t wait to work with Guillaume to provide a steady expansion of the sport on the island. Getting more people playing our sport makes everyone better, and it will only help further develop AFI going forward.”
For any matters regarding Flag Football, please get in touch with Guillaume or Joe at flagfootball@americanfootball.ie