As part of the preparations for the EFAF Atlantic Cup, due to take place at Tallaght Stadium over the weekend of 29/30 June, the event management are putting together a corp of volunteers.

Volunteer assistance is required in areas such as the ticket office, pitchside crew, ushers, VIP area staff, clean-up and venue preparation. The event management are also on the look out for a DJ and game day commentator for either day (any budding John Maddens out there?).

Anyone interested in helping out at this event should contact Maurice Cosgrave (maurice@americanfootball.ie) or Alan Orr (alan@americanfootball.ie).

Food voucher and travel expenses will be paid to anyone who volunteers.

Tickets for the 2013 Atlantic Cup, taking place in Tallaght Stadium over the weekend of 29/30 June, are now available online.

As this event is a community event, run in conjunction with The Gathering Dublin, tickets are free of charge. However, as demand is expected to be strong and entry to the stadium is by ticket only, anyone attending on either of the 2 days will need to book ticket(s).

Tickets can be booked by clicking on the following link:

http://atlanticcup2013.eventbrite.ie/

Schedule of Games:

Semi-Finals – Saturday 29^th June:

12:00   Amersfoort Untouchables (NL) v Belfast Trojans (IAFL). 

15:30   Trinity College Dublin (IAFL) v Brussels Tigers (Bel).

Sunday 30^th June:

12:00  Third place play-off

15:00 Final

 The draw for the 2013 Atlantic Cup was announced by the European Federation of American Football yesterday evening. The tournament is being staged at Tallaght Stadium, Dublin over the weekend of 29/30^th June as part of The Gathering Dublin.

 Semi-Finals – Saturday 29^th June:

12:00   Amersfoort Untouchables (NL) v Belfast Trojans (IAFL). 

15:30   Trinity College Dublin (IAFL) v Brussels Tigers (Bel).

The Final and third place play-off will take place on Sunday 30^th June.

This is the 5^th edition of the annual tournament, which is the official European Championship for purely amateur teams in Western Europe.

For the first time ever, the event will feature two teams from the IAFL. Northern Ireland’s Belfast Trojans secured their entry by winning the Shamrock Bowl, which is Ireland’s all-island National Championship in 2012. At present, they are leading the Shamrock Bowl Conference (SBC) North with an unbeaten record. The team was unbeaten in 2012.

Amersfoort Untouchables finished last season with an impressive 8-3 record overall in the Dutch league. The team enters the tournament with the added pressure of having to defend the title on behalf of the Netherlands American football federation – Lelystad Commanders won last year.

Brussels Tigers are the dominant team in Belgium right now. They gained entry to the tournament with an impressive 46-6 victory over Antwerp Diamonds in last years Belgian Bowl. To date, they are unbeaten this season in the Belgian championship.

Trinity College Dublin is one of the rising stars of the IAFL. At present the team has the best record of the six SBC teams based south of the border and is leading SBC South with a 5-2 record. The team adds some local interest to the tournament.

Details of how to obtain tickets for each day’s action will be announced soon.

Delegates from IAFA, attended the Federation of Irish Sport Conference on the afternoon of Tuesday 21st May at the Guinness Store House in Dublin. (and no, the black stuff was not free). Over sixty Irish sporting organisations were present and the speakers included Sir Keith Mills, the CEO of the London Olympics, Alistair Gray of Renaissance (producer of the FAI “Genesis Report”) and FIS CEO Sarah O’Connor. The Federation of Irish Sport unvailed its new 4 year Strategic Plan at the Conference.

Link to report on the Conference including conference materials and video presentations.

http://irishsport.ie/wpress/index.php/2013/05/federation-of-irish-sport-conference-2013-21st-may-guinness-storehouse/

The IAFA board also met prior to the conference to dicuss current issues and planning for the remainder of this seasons events.

Two points that were raised relating to IAFL1, that seem to be topical at the moment, were promotion and special teams.

To outline briefly…Promotion will still be at this point only open to one team who fulfill audit criteria to be promoted and all existing and joining teams for 2014 will be required to introduce special teams to their games as agreed at the past AGM.

It was agreed unanimously at the meeting, that a strategic plan for the next four years (2014-17) under the new IAFA set up, be implemented and that the Associations Board will be proposing and opening, plenary / forum sessions with all sections of the game to unify, develop and work to resolve all issues within each section of the Association, finally coming together across the game at all levels and building towards best practice for all to promote and improve standards.

Boardmatch Ireland is currently in the process of recruiting an external member for the IAFA Board, who is expected to join over the summer months.

A progress update was also given regarding the IAFA’s summer events programme which includes the Altantic Cup in late June, the SBC Semi-Finals and Shamrock Bowl in July and The Gathering Bowl in late August – all taking place in Tallaght Stadium.

Finally, the Board discussed the introduction of Youth Kitted Football and agreed to schedule a series of blitz tournaments during the autumn months.

IAFL Referee, Michael Smith has been chosen to referee the International Challenge Bowl, due to take place in Dusseldorf, Germany on Saturday May 2013. The game, which is regarded as as the “world club championship” of American football is being contested by the Dusseldorf Panthers (Germany) and Obic Seagulls (Japan). Michael is regarded as one of the most accumplished International Officials in the sport and regularly officiates high profie games across Europe.

The game is being broadcast on Eurosport 2, with coverage starting at 7:30pm Irish time.

Preview (from GFL press release):
Kickoff for International Challenge Bowl II at the Paul-Janes-Stadion at Düsseldorf will be at 7 p.m. on Whitsun Saturday. The game will be aired live on Eurosport 2 throughout Europe, as the German federation AFVD continues its partnership with the Paris-based broadcasting group and brings the next American football game onto European television.

The Seagulls already had been to Europe in May 2012, when they defeated the Dresden Monarchs by 29-17. So Europe still is waiting for a first victory against a Japanese side, the Düsseldorf Panther are eager to try their best at accomplishing this task. The Panther organisation is the oldest existing football club in Europe (established in 1978), has already produced the first European-trained player on a skill position to be drafted to the NFL in Sebastian Vollmer, was Germany’s first-ever Eurobowl champion back in 1995, so it would be quite fitting for the team to manage a first-ever win for an European team against an opponent from Japan.

However this will be a serious challenge: American football is played in Japan since the 1930s, Japan’s educational system after the Second World War was reformed according to the U.S. model, which lifted American football into the curriculum in Japanese schools. Japan’s national team won the two first world championships and lost another World Cup final only in overtime against the United States.

The Obic Seagulls from Narashino near Tokyo this year just celebrate their 20-year club anniversary, but have won a record seven X League titles and six Japanese Championships, which is played for by the X-League champion and the Japanese college champion annually in January in the Rice Bowl. Since 2010, the Seagulls won the national title three times in a row and again will not only be favoured for the next Japanese season but also for the game at Düsseldorf.

The IAFA Annual General Meeting today approved the introduction of a new structure including a new President, new Board and new administration.

President – Michael Smith

Board Members:

Russell Kerley

Cillian Smith

Terry Lynch

Alan Orr

Greg Loughran

Tony Rivers

John Judge

The newly appointed central administration is as follows:

Commissioner – Cillian Smith

Communication Officer/Events/Development – Russell Kerley

Finance Officer – Terry Lynch

Director of Coaching – John Judge

Director of Officiating – Tony Rivers

Further details to follow soon.

Mayor Cathal King, South Dublin County Council, the IAFA and representatives from the participating teams and Federations launch the EFAF Atlantic Cup.

The 2013 EFAF Atlantic Cup, which is being played in the 8,000 capacity Tallaght Stadium as part of The Gathering Dublin, was formally launched on Saturday 12^th January.

 The tournament will take place over the weekend of 29^th/30^th June 2013. Irish Champions Belfast Trojans will be joined by Brussels Tigers (Belgium), Dudelange Steelers (Luxembourg) and a team from The Netherlands – which will be confirmed by the Dutch Federation soon.

 The EFAF Atlantic Cup is the official Western European Championship for amateur American football teams. It is possibly the most exciting tournament on the International American football calendar given that the participating teams are very closely matched in terms of their standard of play. In recent years, a very high percentage of games have been decided by very narrow margins.

 The Semi-Final draw for the tournament is as follows:

 Saturday 29^th June (all times local):

 12:00 Belfast Trojans v Dudelange Steelers

15:00 Brussels Tigers v Netherlands Team.

 Sunday 30^th June:

 12:00 3^rd/4^th Place Play-off

15:00 Final.

 To assist both teams and supporters, South Dublin Tourism has put together some special packages deals for those attending the EFAF Atlantic Cup. These packages include accommodation, meals, airport transfers and stadium transfers. Details will be announced shortly. The IAFA would like to invite fans from all over Europe to attend the tournament and experience The EFAF Atlantic Cup and The Gathering 2013 – the supporters packages will be open to all American football fans, not just those attached to the participating teams. The game will also be heavily marketed in the greater Dublin area with a view to generating a good crowd to add to the festival atmosphere.

 Ireland’s leading newspaper, The Irish Times, listed the The Gathering Dublin, including the American football games taking place in Tallaght Stadium in 2013, as being among the highlights of the 2013 festivities. The IAFA and Tallaght Stadium will also host a series of games involving visiting North American teams in late August.

 The Gathering 2013:

Throughout 2013, Ireland will open its arms to hundreds of thousands of friends and family from all over the world, calling them home to gatherings in villages, towns and cities. There will be clan gatherings, festivals, special sporting events, music and concerts taking place all across the country, all year long. Communities throughout Ireland will showcase and share the very best of Irish culture, tradition, business, sport, fighting spirit and the uniquely Irish sense of fun.

Tallaght Stadium:

Owned and operated by South Dublin County Council,Tallaght Stadium first opened its doors to the public in March 2009. Overlooked by the Dublin Mountains, positioned right in the heart of South Dublin County, Tallaght’s boutique Stadium has quickly become a household name in Irish sport. This multipurpose 8,000 seater facility is home to League of Ireland soccer team Shamrock Rovers and is also Ireland’s premier American football venue.

Notice of Irish American Football Association AGM – 2013

The Annual General Meeting of the Irish American Football Association (IAFA) will take place in the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Northwood, Santry, Dublin 9 on Saturday 16^th February 2013 commencing at 11am.

Any proposals for inclusion on the Agenda should be forwarded to the Secretary by Saturday 2^nd February 2013 – by email to cillian@americanfootball.ie or by post to 19 Castle Park, Clondalkin, Dublin 22.

Notice of Proposed Changes to Constitution

At the above mentioned AGM it is proposed to replace the current IAFA Constitution with the attached draft Constitution.

Proposed new IAFA Constitution 2013

Elections

In the event that the proposed Changes to the Constitution referred to above are passed, it is proposed to hold elections to the following positions on the IAFA Board:

• President – Term of Office: 16^th February 2013 to Quarter 4 2014.
• 4 Board Members – Terms of Office: 2 serving from 16^th February 2013 to Quarter 4 2015 and 2 serving from 16^th February 2013 to Quarter 4 2014 (the two candidates with highest number of votes will have the longer term).

Candidates interested in standing for election should forward the appropriate Candidate for Election Form (forms attached below) to the Secretary by Saturday 2^nd February 2013 – by email to cillian@americanfootball.ie or by post to 19 Castle Park, Clondalkin, Dublin 22.

Note that all candidates should have a minimum of 3 years consecutive membership.

A meeting of the new Board will take place immediately after the AGM on 16^th February.

Candidate for Election 2013 – IAFA President

Candidate for Election Form 2013 – IAFA Board Member

On Saturday 20th October, the IAFA Board held a Quarterly Meeting which formally approved the text of a new Constitution to its membership. Over the past 2 years, the IAFA has been working on the introduction of a new national structure for the sport which takes into account the new corporate governance guidelines recommended by the Irish Sports Council to the NGB sector in Ireland. If passed, the new Constitution and structures will put the IAFA at the forefront of NGB’s in Ireland in terms of corporate governance.

The proposed Constitution will introduce the following changes:

– The league, officials, coaches and flag brought together in one ‘whole sport’ structure.

– A new central administration for the sport to be led by a Commissioner.

– Separation of Board and Administration

– Directors of Officiating and Development to be appointed by the elected Board. (Director of Coaching already in place).

– Clubs directly electing IAFA Board members.

– A 9 person IAFA Board which will include an external Board member and rotating 3 year terms for Board members.

If approved by the IAFA’s member organisations, the Constitution will be formally ratified in Q1 2013. Some transition arrangements will apply for the 2013 season, with the full structure expected to be in place by Q4 2013.

In addition to recommending the new Constitution and structure, the IAFA Board also held a ‘workshop’ style session to prepare its 2013 ISC Grant Application and discussed the arrangements for The Gathering 2013.

IAFA Draft New Constitution

The Mayor of South Dublin has issued formal invitations to a number of college, high school and semi-pro teams from North America asking them to compete in The Gathering Dublin in 2013.

South Dublin will be hosting a minimum of two regular season games involving visiting North American teams in August/September 2013.  The games will be played in Tallaght Stadium and have been called ‘The Gathering Classics’. The Gathering Dublin is seeking to hear from more teams who are be interested in playing in this unique event. Teams will be matched with teams of a similar status/standard to ensure that all the games are competitive. Any interested North American teams should read the information below and contact IAFA The Gathering Event Manager, Russell Kerley at thegathering@americanfootball.ie

The Gathering Classic – Your team could play in Ireland in 2013!

Your High School, College (NCAA Division 2 or 3 or JUCO) or Semi-Pro football team can avail of the unique opportunity to be part of a special event taking place in Ireland in 2013. In addition to having your team play a competitive fixture against similar opposition as part of a spectacular American football game which is the centrepiece of a major civic celebration, your team members, staff and supporters can enjoy the world famous Irish hospitality and avail of a wide range of cultural and educational tours and experiences.

The Gathering Dublin:

The Gathering Dublin (www.thegatheringdublin.com) was launched by Michael Ring TD, Irish Minister for Tourism & Sport and Cllr. Cathal King, Mayor of South Dublin on 3rd October 2012. This initiative is part of the wider The Gathering Ireland 2013 initiative announced by the Irish Government at the Global Irish Economic Forum.

South Dublin is home to the three main American sports organisations in Ireland – the Irish American Football Association (IAFA), Basketball Ireland and Baseball Ireland. Due to this unique association with North American sports, the Mayor of South Dublin wants to invite four teams to play in two American football games at Tallaght Stadium in August or September 2013. Similar events are also being arranged in basketball and baseball. These will be the showcase events of The Gathering Dublin.

The various partners in The Gathering Dublin, including South Dublin Tourism, will put together an exciting itinerary of educational tours and social events for the visiting teams and their supporters, including a civic reception hosted by the Mayor. Due to the community nature of the events, these packages will be better priced that those available commercially and can be tailored to your particular teams needs.

The Gathering Dublin is unique in that local government, the tourism industry, major sporting facilities and the National Governing Bodies in each sport are working in cooperation. This complete package cannot be found anywhere else.

An invitation from the Mayor to any teams interested in playing in The Gathering Classic games is attached below for download (#1).

A copy of an invitation letter from IAFA President Greg Loughran is attached below for download (#2) as is a copy of a leaflet re: The Gathering Dublin (#3).

The Games – The Gathering Classics:

The format of the football tournament for The Gathering Dublin is that two games will take place in Tallaght Stadium. Both will be competitive games matching up visiting teams who play a similar level of football at either High School or small college level. We envisage that these will be early season games – taking place in August or early September – possibly your teams first fixture of the season. Your team can be matched up against an opponent of your suggestion or against a similar standard team sourced by the event organisers.

The IAFA wants these games to be special – similar to the ‘kick-off classic’ type games you see in college and professional football. The winning team in each game will be awarded a ‘The Gathering’ themed trophy. We want to recreate the unique atmosphere of a North American college or high school football game, but with an Irish twist. Irish sports fans are renowned the world over for their warmth and enthusiasm, so I have no doubt that visiting teams and their supporters will enjoy a big Irish welcome and be made feel at home.

Travel Packages:

The Joe O’Reilly Travel Group in partnership with South Dublin Tourism will put together the travel packages for each team and their supporters. Packages can be tailor made to the visitors’ requirements and budget in terms of duration and itinerary. They can include visits, including overnight stays, in any part of Ireland as required. The County can provide Irish cultural classes covering dance, history, language and drama which are not available to commercial operators. With their links to the third level institutions in the County, they have a panel of guest lecturers covering a broad range of subjects that can offer a bespoke experience. Arrangements are in place to provide airline transport from any major airport in North American at prices cheaper than those available to the general public. A sample itinerary and price is attached below (#4).

Gameday, Practice Facilities and other Supports:

The games will be played in Tallaght Stadium, a newly constructed ‘bijou’ stadium with capacity for 8,000 spectators. The stadium is the only one in Ireland permanently equipped to host games up to NCAA Division 1 standard. It is a UEFA Category 4 stadium that is used to hosting major sporting events across a variety of sports. The IAFA and staff at Tallaght Stadium will work in tandem to ensure that everything is perfect for the football games.

Each visiting team will also be provided with practice facilities which include a marked football field with a good surface and goal posts. All practice facilities will have good quality locker rooms and meeting rooms. The IAFA will set up the practice facilities to each visiting teams individual requirements.

A brochure on the football facilities at Tallaght Stadium and practice supports is attached in below (#5).

Further Information & Downloads:

If you are interested in visiting Ireland for these events or require any further information, please email: thegathering@americanfootball.ie

IAFA The Gathering Event Manager: Russell Kerley.

Information for Download:

1. Invitation from the Mayor

2. Letter from IAFA President

3. The Gathering Ireland – Dublin

4. The Gathering Travel Packages

5. Information on Tallaght Stadium

Irish Champions, Belfast Trojans have indicated that they will enter the EFAF Atlantic Cup in 2013. The Altantic Cup is the official western European amateur club championship and will feature teams from The Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and Ireland. The 2013 edition will be played in Tallaght as part of the IAFA/South Dublin County Council programme of events for The Gathering 2013.

Our coverage of the Navy vs Notre Dame game is brought to you by l’Ecrivain Restaurant.  l’Ecrivain is one of Ireland’s top affordable Michelin star restaurants, and is located on the way from Dublin’s city centre to Aviva Stadium.  Check out their website at www.lecrivain.com

In a few days time, 12 American football high school and college teams will depart the United States and Canada, bound for Ireland where they will play a competitive regular season game as part of the biggest overseas event of its kind in the sport’s history.

The Global Ireland Football Tournament – GIFT 2012 – has been two years in the making and on the eve of the Emerald Isle Classic, sports fans in Dublin and Navan will be treated to a showcase of 12 teams playing six games at three venues in and around the Irish capital on Friday, August 31.

The games, organized by Texas-based Global Football, will kick off at 4pm and 7.30pm local time at three venues usually reserved for Gaelic football, hurling and rugby.  But for this Dublin Friday Night Lights spectacular, Donnybrook Stadium and Parnell Park in Dublin and Páirc Tailteann in Navan, County Meath will all be painted with the gridiron and will welcome touchdowns, tackles, helmets and shoulder pads.

“There will be some intense and exciting games played on Irish soil on August 31,” said Patrick Steenberge, President of Global Football.  “These are real, competitive, regular season games, not exhibitions.  For most teams this will be their big season-opening game and for some their second of the new campaign and while they are excited to be visiting Ireland, make no mistake – they are here to win.

“So many people at the core of several sports in Ireland have welcomed this event with open arms.  We have been overwhelmed by their passion for our game and their willingness to embrace this venture and to ensure the players, coaches, staff, families, friends, fans, cheerleaders and marching band members visiting Ireland enjoy the trip of a lifetime.”

Global Ireland Football Tournament Games Schedule

Friday, August 31

Donnybrook Stadium: Main Street, Donnybrook, Dublin

4pm         Loyola Academy (Wilmette, IL) vs. Jesuit Prep Dallas (Dallas, TX)

7.30pm   St Norbert College (De Pere, WI) vs. John Carroll University (University Heights, OH)

Parnell Park: Clancarthy Road, Donnycarney, Dublin

4pm         Kent School (Kent, CT) vs. National School of American Football (UK)

7.30pm   Notre Dame HS (Sherman Oak, CA) vs. Hamilton HS (Chandler, AZ)

Páirc Tailteann: Brews Hill, Navan, Co. Meath

4pm         Villanova College (King City, ON) vs. Oak Park High School (Winnipeg, MB)

7.30pm   Notre Dame Prep (Scottsdale, AZ) vs. Father Judge (Philadelphia, PA)

Tickets are available priced €15 at www.Tickets.ie/GIFT2012.

Many of the 7 U.S. high school teams, 2 NCAA D-III college teams, 2 Canadian high school teams and a UK all-star team will be accompanied by marching bands and cheerleaders as Dublin and Navan embrace a long weekend full of all the flavors of American football.

The festivities begin at 5.30pm on Thursday, August 30, at St Stephen’s Green in Dublin City Centre when all participants march along a parade route to Trinity College for a Pep Rally at 6.30pm.  With more than 30,000 gridiron fans expected to travel to Ireland in the last week of August, the town of Trim will add to the celebrations by holding the ‘Feile Americana’.  The 5-day festival will showcase the very best of music, arts and cuisine from both sides of the Atlantic from August 29 to September 2.

Global Ireland Football Tournament Schedule At A Glance

Thursday, August 30

9am-11am             Teams practice at University College Dublin from (open to media only)

2pm-4pm              Teams practice at University College Dublin from (open to media only)

5.30pm                   GIFT parade from St Stephen’s Green to Trinity College

6.30pm                   Pep Rally at Trinity College

Friday, August 31

4pm                         Games at Donnybrook Stadium, Parnell Park and Páirc Tailteann

7.30pm                   Games at Donnybrook Stadium, Parnell Park and Páirc Tailteann

How the teams match up…

Donnybrook Stadium 4pm       Loyola Academy (Illinois) vs. Jesuit Prep Dallas (Texas)

Loyola Academy won the 2010 Chicago Catholic League Championship and the Prep Bowl Championship in 2008 and last season posted 13 wins before losing in the 8A Illinois State finals.  During six years in charge, head coach and former NFL player John Holecek has led Loyola to the IHSA largest school division state playoffs each year.  Opponent Jesuit Prep, Dallas is one of two private schools that is a member of the University Interscholastic League and competes in District 9 of Class 5A, the state’s largest classification.  The Rangers went 8-2 under head coach Brandon Hickman in 2011 and reached first round of the state playoffs.

Donnybrook Stadium       7.30pm St Norbert College (Wisconsin) vs. John Carroll University (Ohio)

St. Norbert College has won nine Midwest Conference championships, appearing in eight NCAA Division III playoffs under head coach Jim Purtill.  The Green Knights finished the 2011 season with a 7-3 record, ensuring St Norbert has recorded at least seven wins in each of the past 13 seasons.  Opponent John Carroll University finished 5-5 in 2011 under Regis Scafe, who is the longest-serving head coach in Blue Streaks football history.  This will be the sixth time that John Carroll has been to Europe since 1994.  Appointed in December of 1998, Coach Scafe has posted a record of 77-47 as John Carroll’s football director.

This will be the first regular season NCAA Division III college football game to be played in Europe since Bowdoin defeated Tufts, 7-6, on November 29, 1992, in Galway, Ireland.

Páirc Tailteann: 4pm       Villanova College (Ontario) vs. Oak Park High School (Manitoba)

Two Canadian high school teams meet at Páirc Tailteann and will play by Canadian rules, adding a unique flavor to the GIFT event.  Villanova College was established in 1999 and the football program was started in 2002 under head coach Marcello Lio, who played American football with Bergamo and Nuremburg in Italy and Germany.  Last season the Knights posted a 2-4 record. Opponent Oak Park High School suffered only one defeat in 2011 and reached the final of the Winnipeg High School Football League ANAVETS Bowl for the third year in a row as defending champions under head Coach Stuart Nixon, who has led the Raiders fortunes since 2003.

Some rule differences between Canadian and American Football: 12 players on the field (11 in USA), only 3 downs to move the ball 10 yards (4 downs in USA), players other than the quarterback can be in forward motion prior to the ball being snapped (no motion in USA), only 20 seconds on the play clock (40 seconds in USA).  Teams can score a ‘Rouge’ – Any kicked ball that lands in the end zone and is not a successful field goal or extra point, is considered live and if a player from the defending team then fails to return the ball out of the end zone, the kicking team scores one point. (No such rule in USA)

Páirc Tailteann:  7.30pm Notre Dame Prep (Arizona) vs. Father Judge (Pennsylvania)

Notre Dame Prep won back-to-back Arizona Class 4A Division II championships in 2007 and 2008 and just missed out on the championship in 2010, losing a heartbreaking 49-48 game to Williams Field, then made the first round of the playoffs in 2011.  Opponent from Philadelphia, Father Judge High School finished with a won 7, lost 4, record in 2011.  The football program, which competes in the Philadelphia Catholic 4-A league, has won five championships (1964, 1975, 1981, 1983, 1984) and most recently reached the championship game in 2008.

Parnell Park:        7.30pm Notre Dame HS (California) vs. Hamilton HS (Arizona)

Notre Dame High School football has been one of the most consistently successful programs in the state of California since 1993, and during that time has won 14 League Championships, four CIF Championships and has been CIF runner-up three times.  Opponent Hamilton High School is one of the top football programs in Arizona and won three consecutive state titles from 2008 to 2010, achieved USA Today Top 10 national rankings, and also reached the state championship game in 2011.  The Huskies also won in 2006 and claimed the Fiesta Region Championship in 11 of the past 12 years and 10 straight since 2002.

Parnell Park: 4pm       Kent School (Connecticut) vs. National School of American Football (UK)

Kent School completed an undefeated regular season in 2011, earning its fifth trip to a New England Bowl game in the past 11 years.  The team has also played in back-to-back New England Bowl games and has won 15 of its last 17 games.  During a 20-year tenure, coach Todd Marble has been recognized as Coach of the Year three times by the Northern Connecticut Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame.  In opposition, the team representing the National School of American Football (NASF) has formed especially for the opportunity to compete against top-class opposition at GIFT 2012.  Players have been selected from the UK under-19 ranks and are led by NSAF coach Tony Allen, a former Director of Football Development for NFL Europe.

GAA Legend and Former Notre Dame and NFL Standout Serve As Honorary Chairmen

Brian Mullins, the noted Gaelic Footballer who played with St Vincent’s and the Dublin Senior Team for 11 years and is now the Director of Sport at University College Dublin, will serve as Honorary Chairman for the games at Parnell Park.
“Through my role at UCD and having played football and hurling at Parnell Park over the years, I am really excited and enthusiastic about this event,” said Mullins, who holds four All-Ireland medals.  “I want to congratulate everyone associated with these games for their hard work in making this happen.”

Appointed as Director of Sport at UCD in April 2000, Brian is responsible for the overall development and resources of UCD sport.  He holds a BA degree in Physical Education and Irish from Thomond College and a MA degree in Administration from New York University.

Mike McCoy is a native of Erie, Pennsylvania and a graduate of Cathedral Prep High School.  He graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a BA in Economics where he played football and was a Consensus All-American.  He was the UPI Lineman of the year and was sixth in the Heisman Trophy balloting his senior year.  He was the number one draft choice of the Green Bay Packers where he played defensive tackle during an 11-year NFL career, spending seven with Green Bay, two with the Oakland Raiders and two with the New York Giants. Mike is now President of Mike McCoy Ministries.

“I am honored to have been asked to undertake this role and look forward to sharing this once in a lifetime opportunity with the athletes and their families who are traveling overseas and with the sports fans in Ireland,” said McCoy.  “American football provides a positive influence in many young people’s lives and I look forward to sharing my experiences with everyone I meet during this event.  I am also delighted to be going back to my roots to a country where I have many relatives.”

Fans who cannot be there in person to witness the Dublin Friday Night Lights spectacular can watch the games via a webcast and can order the live stream advance at http://www.gift2012.com/watch-live.  All games will air live except the Loyola Academy-Jesuit Prep Dallas game, which will be shown at 3pm US EST.

About Global Football: Under the guidance of President Patrick Steenberge, a former Notre Dame quarterback and high school All-American at Erie Cathedral Prep, Global Football has produced football games in 19 nations during the past 16 years.  Working partners include USA Football, NFL, Super Bowl Host Committees, American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), Notre Dame, Penn State, Pop Warner, Tanzania Sports Council and dozens of NCAA Division III colleges as well as National Football Federations worldwide.  www.globalfootball.com.

GIFT Partners / Supporters: University College Dublin, Trinity College, Education in Ireland, Failte Ireland, IAFA, Play Like a Champion Today, Abbey Tours, Anthony Travel, Rogers Athletic, Tourism Ireland.

Media Note:

Media should apply by email to Michael Preston at MP@MPrestonSports.com or by calling (001) 781-363-0305, stating the following information: Name of credential applicant, Name of media outlet, Email and phone contact information, Sideline photo or press box credential required.

Our coverage of the Navy vs Notre Dame game is brought to you by l’Ecrivain Restaurant.  l’Ecrivain is one of Ireland’s top affordable Michelin star restaurants, and is located on the way from Dublin’s city centre to Aviva Stadium.  Check out their website at www.lecrivain.com

On September 1st, the Emerald Isle Classic will be held in Aviva Stadium, Dublin between Notre Dame and Navy.  With this in mind, we wanted to look back at other US-centric games that have taken place in Ireland over the years.  From the first ever game in 1942 right up to the Emerald Isle Classic in 2012, several major fixtures held here between college teams, NFL teams and many games between US college teams and our own IAFL teams.

In subsequent posts, we’ll look forward towards future games that are taking place here, including the Emerald Isle Classic, GIFT 2012 and The Gathering.

1942: US Servicemen

The first ever game of American Football took place in Ravenhill, Belfast between two teams of US servicemen in front of a crowd of 8,000 people.  This game was held to raise money for the Red Cross.

1946: US Servicemen

On the way home after World War II, a group of US servicemen played a game in Croke Park, Dublin.  This is believed to be the first ‘foreign’ sport to be played in Croke Park.

1988: Boston College vs Army

On November 19^th, Boston College and Army travelled to Lansdown Road, now called Aviva Stadium, for the first Emerald Isle Classic.  This was the first NCAA-sanctioned game played in Europe and drew approximately 42,500 fans, about 10,000 of which came from the US.  Boston College ended up beating Army 38-24.

1989: Pittsburgh vs Rutgers

The Boston College vs Army game in 1988 generated a lot of buzz for having football in Ireland.  The aim was to bring teams over that had an Irish background, thereby encouraging Irish Americans to come home for the game.  In 1989, another NCAA fixture between Pittsburgh and Rutgers was held in December in front of a crowd of approximately 37,000, again in Lansdown Road.  Pittsburgh beat Rutgers on the field, but the Emerald Isle Classic was put on hold.  However this and the 1988 fixture generated significant interest in the sport and showed how viable Ireland was as a country to hold such games.

1996: Navy vs Notre Dame

In 1996, Navy and Notre Dame began a new competition called the Shamrock Classic.  This time, the game was played in Croke Park, with Notre Dame beating Navy 54-27.  Approximately 40,000 people attended this game, slightly less than the game in 1988.  10,000 fans travelled from the US, with the bulk of the remainder being Notre Dame fans from across Europe.

1997: Pittsburgh Steelers vs Chicago Bears

In 1997, the first NFL game to be played in Ireland took place in Croke Park.  The Steelers beat the Bears 30-17 in front of a crowd of 36,000.  The game was aimed solely at the domestic markets, so most of the crowd were Irish fans

2002: Team Canada vs Carrickfergus Knights

In 2002, the Canadian U21 team visited Ireland and played against the Carrickfergus Knights in St. Vincents GA in Dublin.  The experience of the Canadians showed with a 34-6 win over the Knights.

2004: John Carroll University vs Team Ireland

John Carroll University travelled from Ohio to take on the reformed Team Ireland in May 2004.  This game was the first to be played as part of the new Celtic Classic series.  The game was played in Dr. Hickey Park (Greystones RFC), with John Carroll winning.  JCU are returning to Dublin later this month as the showcase team in the GIFT series of games that accompany the Emerald Isle Classic.  They play St. Norberts College in Donnebrook on Friday 31^st August.

2005: Adrian College vs Team Ireland

In May 2005, Adrian College Michigan took on Team Ireland in Celtic Classic II.  Again this game was played in Dr. Hickey Park and the US visitors were victorious.

2008: CW Post v Tallaght Outlaws

In June 2008, CW Post, a small college from California played the Tallaght Outlaws at the P&T Sports Club in Tallaght. CW Post won the game, with the Outlaws being surprisingly competitive.

2012: University of Wisconsin-Eau-Claire v University of Limerick

This game was played in Garryowen, Limerick on June 10th last with the US visitors winning by a score of 58-2. It was run in conjunction with Global Football as a prequel to the GIFT2012 games.

The IAFA today launched its new Anti-Doping Statement which gives an overview of the organisations anti-doping policy as well as giving sources of information for participants. The Anti-Doping Statement is in accordance with the Irish Anti-Doping Rules which are incorporated into the IAFA rulebook. All members should read the statement and familiarise themselves with its contents.

The statement can be found on in the Resources section of the IAFA website or by clicking on the following link:

IAFA Anti-Doping Statement

EFAF Atlantic Cup – 23-24 June 2012

Venue: Lelystad, the Netherlands.

Irish Champions, Dublin Rebels finished a very credible 3rd in the EFAF Atlantic Cup, which is the official Western European Championship for amateur teams.

The Rebels had a comprehensive 44-0 win over Luxembourg Steelers in the tournaments 3rd place play-off on Sunday. The title was won by local favourites, Lelystad Commanders who defeated Brussels Tigers 12-0 in the Final.

The Commanders won their semi-final against the Rebels by a score of 65-20 on Saturday 23rd.

Sundays Fixtures:

Final: Lelystad Commanders 12-0 Brussels Tigers.

3rd Place Play-off: Luxembourg Steelers 0-44 Dublin Rebels

Saturdays Fixtures:

Semi-finals:

Brussels Tigers 30-0 Luxembourg Steelers

Lelystad Commanders 65-20 Dublin Rebels

The Dublin Rebels travel to the Netherlands this weekend to play in the EFAF Atlantic Cup, which is the official Western European Championship for amateur clubs. The Rebels qualified for the tournament via winning last years Shamrock Bowl. They are joined in the tournament by hosts and defending Champions, Lelystad Crusaders, Brussels Tigers and Luxembourg Steelers.

The Rebels face a tough Semi-Final game on Saturday 23rd, when they play the home side, Lelystad. The Tigers and Steelers are matched up in the other Semi-Final. The Final and 3rd place play-off will take place on Sunday 24th.

This will be the Rebels second time playing in the Atlantic Cup – the reached they were narrowly beaten in the final in Brussels in 2009. The tournament will be hosted by Ireland in 2013 as part of ‘The Gathering’.

Preview Atlantic Cup IV (from EFAF)

Next weekend the fourth Atlantic Cup takes place in Lelystad/Netherlands, close to Amsterdam and Almere. Lelstad Commanders already gave an information about the area and the tournament a couple of days ago, also published here on this website. Four teams are participating from Benelux and Ireland the host Lelystad included, Brussels, Dublin and Dudelange.

Logo Atlantic Cup 2012
(c)EFAF

Following you can read the expectations the guest clubs are entering the tournament this years and their wishes and goals:

Brussels Tigers:

After a remarkable season in Belgium, the Brussels Tigers are proud to participate to this fourth edition of the Atlantic Cup.
The Brussels Tigers play this tournament for the second time. We were invited last year as a ”second” Belgian team because the Irish were unable to attend; for that reason, the BFL sent one representative for the Flemish league (FFL) and one for the French speaking league (LFFAB). Even though we ended up third, we still learned much more from this experience than from any Belgian championship.

The Brussels Tigers made an outstanding season this year. We remained undefeated throughout the season and eventually won the LFFAB championship final against the Liège Monarchs. After defeating the West Vlaanderen Tribes (who earned the title of Belgian champion six years in a row) in semifinal, we then won the Belgian Bowl against the Antwerp Diamonds. That victory is the second one in the history of our team, and happened ten years after the first one against the same teams in final and semifinal.

For the Atlantic Cup, our objective is twofold: first, we want to reach the final and fight a spectacular game against one of the strongest team in this tournament. The second goal -and the most important one- is gaining experience and learning from others, just as we did last year. I am confident that we will learn from this Atlantic Cup and grow stronger.
This tournament is also an opportunity to thank my players who worked hard and made countless efforts throughout the year at the practice. Some of our senior players first played flag football with the Tigers at the age of twelve before joining our American football team. They are now role models for the next generation of players, and demonstrate the importance of working with the younger ones.
We are going to the Atlantic Cup with this one dream: taking the first place, and we will do our best to make it happen.

Dublin Rebels:

The Dublin Rebels have both fond and bitter memories of taking on European competition in EFAF tournaments. In 2009 in Brussels, the Rebels unexpectantly reached the Atlantic Cup final by beating the Amsterdam Panthers only to lose to the host team, the West-Vlaanderen Tribe on a missed field goal in overtime. Despite the loss, the Rebels made waves on the European stage for their style of play and professionalism and gave Irish teams the belief that they could compete against teams from more established leagues. This was the case the following year when the Rebels passed on the proverbial torch to their fierce rivals the Limerick Vikings who represented Ireland in the 2010 Atlantic Cup held in University College Dublin in the south of the nation’s capital. After a comprehensive victory in the semifinals, the Vikings went on to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat when they pipped the Lelystad Commanders at the post by a score of 19-18 after 2 4th quarter TD’s. In this year’s cup, the Rebels will go toe to toe with the Commanders in the semifinals on their own turf who will be sure to have local support rooting for a home town team in the final. The Rebels will go into the tournament off the back of a successful regular season campaign going 6-1 (record at time of writing) in a tough IAFL South division and will be looking to add some European scalps to their list of vanquished opponents in 2012. For many players in the squad this year’s tournament will not be the first taste of European action they have savored. Veteran players such as QB Andy Dennehy, O-Line/D-lineman Fergal O’Hanlon and Free Safety Marcus Naylor will be desperately seeking to add a European crown to their impressive list of accolades. On the other hand most of the 2012 Rebels squad will be taking on non-Irish opponents for the first time and will be eager to get their feet wet in the deep end of the European football pool. Key players on the Rebels offense include QB Andy Dennehy, RB Aaron Smith and Tight End Paul Smyth. On the Rebels defense; Linebacker Steve Walsh and Defensive End Simon Mackey will play vital roles in keeping offenses at bay. The Dublin Rebels are honored to represent Ireland and the IAFL in the 2012 Atlantic Cup and will no doubt experience a tournament to remember.

Luxembourg Steelers of Dudelange:

For the Luxembourg Steelers of Dudelange it is an honour and they are proud to represent the country of Luxembourg in a big EFAF Tournament like the ATLANTIC CUP.

As the one and only Tackle Football Team in Luxembourg, it will be the 4th appearance at the Atlantic Cup and it will be this year the hardest and toughest one regarding the previous tournements before. The reason for that is, our Team is in a generation changing process, and that’s why there was also the change of the Name in December 2011 from Luxembourg Dragons of Dudelange into Luxembourg Steelers of Dudelange. We wanna have a new beginning and fighting now with the consequences of the changements in the Team. After getting rid off all those lame excuses guys, we was playing the entire season with only young and new Players and our old squad. Due to the fact of the clearing work we are complaining also a lot of injurys on the old guys thru the season. One of the biggest accured losses is the Knee Injury of the Center Position in the last Season Game 3 weeks ago. That will live us to another big hole in the Offense Line.
So the only expectation for this years Atlantic Cup is for the Luxembourg Steelers of Dudelange to survive the Tournement without any other injuries, to get our new and young Football Players european experience. So those athletes can learn from Games against much stronger Teams than we are at present.

The Global Ireland Football Tournament (GIFT) American football event being organized by Global Football in Dublin and County Meath this summer is expected to have a positive €4.5 million economic impact in Ireland.

The figure was announced at a media gathering at the Burlington Hotel in Dublin where Irish American Football Association President Greg Loughran presented GIFT 2012 organizer patrick Steenberge with a customized Irish national team jersey.

GIFT 2012 will feature 12 high school and college teams from the United States and Canada playing a series of ‘Friday Night Lights’ double headers at 4pm and 7:30 pm on Friday, August 31 at Donnybrook Stadium and Parnell Park in Dublin and at Pairc Tailteann in Navan, County Meath. The competitive regular season games are being held on the eve of the September 1 Navy versus Notre Dame clash at the Aviva Stadium.

More than 2,300 visitors associated with the participating schools will arrive in Ireland specifically because of the GIFT 2012 spectacular, and would not be coming to Ireland if not for these games. Additional sports fans are expected to attend the games from across Ireland, Europe, the United States and even further afield. Tickets available at www.tickets.ie.gift2012 have been sold to overseas fans from Canada, England, Scotland, Germany, Austria and even Australia. Buyers from 13 different American States and 33 towns within Ireland have bought tickets.

“First and foremost we are showcasing high school American football at its very best and are providing the experience of a lifetime for the visiting players, coach, families and friends,” said Global Football President Patrick Steenberge. “But bringing this many people to Ireland specifically for this event also has a very positive impact in that the money they spend and the investment we make in staging the games benefits local businesses, people and the Irish economy.

“We believe this spending will have a positive impact on the Irish economy, and we hope in particular that local businesses benefit and that GIFT 2012 is able to leave a lasting impression for all the right reasons.”

The economic impact figure is calculated by measuring payments made by 2,300 travelers visiting for the GIFT event and their anticipated spend while in Ireland, including:
• Hotel nights during a four-day stay
• Travelers booked on Aer Lingus flights
• Meals at local restaurants and bars
• Public transportation and taxis
• Souvenirs and gifts
• Visits to tourist attractions
• Stadium rental costs
• Additional event operations costs
• Spend at stadium concessions

Visitors for the GIFT event will stay at the Citywest Hotel, Saggart; Bewleys, Leopardstown; Bewleys Newlands Cross; Green Isle, Newlands Cross; Louis Fitzgerald Hotel, Newlands Cross; Knightsbrook Hotel, Trim; Royal Hotel, Bray and Newgrange Hotel, Navan.

The University of Wisconsin Eau-Claire won Celtic Classic V with a 58-2 victory over the University of Limerick Vikings in Limerick today.

The visitors scored nine touchdowns against a determined Limerick team that scored on a blocked extra point returned almost the length of the field for two points.

Starting quarterback Austin Neu completed 11 of 13 pass attempts for 132 yards, 2 touchdowns and an interception, while fellow signal caller Mark Munger was just asaccurate, completing 13 of 14 passes for 183 yards and a touchdown. There were scores on the ground for Chris Olson, Kalan Stittleburg, Zack Zuidema and Ben Van Geffen, and in the air for David Goodman, Ryan Moertel and Nathan Bollinger and on an interception return for Coltan Ellis.  Defensively, Andy Nuemann came up with three interceptions, while for the Vikings, Sean Sheehy raced to the end zone much to the delight of the home crowd at the Garryowen Rugby Club for Limerick’s well-deserved points.

Limerick’s inside rushing game was snuffed out early on by the Blugolds and with their first offensive play of the game, the Americans scored as Neu lofted a 35-yard pass to Goodman for the opening touchdown, but the extra point rattled off the upright. A pair of dropped passes halted the Limerick offense and starting at their opponents’ 30-yard mark, the Blugolds quickly doubled their lead as Stittleburg charged up the middle to score.  More advantageous field position led to Zuidema breaking tackles on a scoring run for a 20-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The Limerick defense stepped up and Liam Ryan hurried Munger, bringing up a third down, but a 39-yard gain to Bollinger set up a chance for offensive lineman Van Geffen to take the ball and barge his way into the end zone from two yards out. James Twomey just failed to hold onto a pass over the middle as Limerick scrapped for yardage on third down and the visitors were clinical in reply.  Olson gained 12 yards on the ground and then broke into the end zone from two yards out and the Blugolds led 34-0.

James Twomey just failed to hold onto a pass over the middle as Limerick scrapped foryardage on third down and the visitors were clinical in reply.  Olson gained 12 yards onthe ground and then broke into the end zone from two yards out and the Blugolds led 34-0. Sean Goldrick produced a crunching special teams tackle to force UW-Eau Claire tostart from their own half for the first time, and the home defense held, leading to a 23-yard field goal that sailed wide right just before halftime.Olson returned the second half opening kickoff 70 yards for a touchdown that was calledback for an illegal block, but the Blugolds worked methodically from their own 20 toeventually score as Neu hit Bollinger from 11 yards out for a 40-point lead.Neumann’s interception got the ball back immediately and Stittleburg scored on a 10-yard rush, then the alert Neumann intercepted Marc Ashworth again and lateraled toEllis, who raced 30 yards to score.After Munger had found Moertel on a 12-yard scoring pass, the resulting extra point wasblocked and Sheehy picked up the loose ball to charge down the left sideline and earntwo points awarded for returning the ball to the end zone.

Trinity College Dublin put up a very credible performance against the New England Ironmen at Trinity College Sports Grounds today. The Ironmen are an Allstar team made up of some of the best graduating seniors from small colleges in the New England area of the United States. The team was coached by JB Wells, who coached Endicott College to victory in the 2012 North Atlantic Bowl.

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire is the latest school from the United States to head overseas on an American football and cultural sightseeing adventure with Global Football and will visit Ireland from June 9 to 16.

The Blugolds will face the University of Limerick Vikings at the Garryowen Rugby Club in Limerick in the ‘Celtic Classic V’ on Sunday, June 10, kickoff 2pm.  The visiting party of 60 players, coaches, family and friends will then embark on a sightseeing tour before heading home.

The visit comes on the back of two recent Global Football tours to Italy for Adrian College and a Team Stars & Stripes all-star squad and in advance of the spectacular Global Ireland Football Tournament (GIFT) 2012 that will see 10 high school and two college teams play at three venues in Dublin and Navan on Friday, August 31.

“What a thrill this will be for all the players, coaches and parents from Wisconsin-Eau Claire to travel to Limerick to play one of the top teams in Ireland,” said Global Football President Patrick Steenberge. “We have staged games in Ireland for many years, but have never had the chance to visit and play in Limerick, so I am also excited to check out the town and see the level of football played there.  Coach Glaser brought a great group of guys and supporters to Spain three years ago, and they are all eager to play, then to tour the wonderful Irish island.”

UW-Eau Claire finished the 2011 college season with a 5-5 record, though the close score in three of those losses was within one touchdown.  Head coach Todd Glaser has been at the helm since 2006 and guided the Blugolds to an NCAA Division III playoff berth for only the second time in program history in 2007. http://www.blugolds.com/sports/fball/coaches/index

The Blugolds are led on the field by junior quarterback Austin Neu, who led the entire Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in passing yards per game as he averaged 247.9 playing in 10 games.  He threw 17 touchdown passes, third best in the league, and completed 65.7 percent of his passes (199-for-303), a school record for a single season.

Freshman kicker Josh Albrecht was second on the team in scoring with 59 points, a mark that also ranked sixth best in the league.  He recorded nine field goals, which was the fourth most in a single season in team archives.

The University of Limerick hosts were formed in 1999 and won the Irish national championship Shamrock Bowl three consecutive years in 2007, 2008 and 2009 and the EFAF Atlantic Cup in 2010 when they were ranked among the top 20 teams in Europe.

Led by head coach Ciarán O’Sullivan, the Vikings are unbeaten in 2012 with a 7-0 record and close their regular season this Sunday, June 3 at home to the Tullamore Phoenix.  They will enter the playoffs following the clash with UW-Eau Claire with high hopes of reaching a sixth Shamrock Bowl in team history on Saturday, July 14 at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin.

“We are looking forward to this game immensely,” said UL Vikings Chairman Ian Cahill, who also wears number 22 for Limerick and plays on the defensive line.  “We have had a great season so far and it will be a great challenge for us to test ourselves against an American college team.”

The game is sanctioned by the Irish American Football Association, which governs the fastest growing sport in Ireland.

After the Celtic Classic V game, the two teams will socialize together and the American visitors will experience the Irish national pride as Ireland’s soccer team opens its Euro 2012 campaign in Poland against Croatia in a game that will be shown live in bars and restaurants throughout the country.

The UW-Eau Claire party will spend time sightseeing in Ireland, visiting Limerick, Killarney, the Cliffs of Moher, the Ring of Kerry, Blarney Castle and Dublin.

The Irish American Football Association held its Annual General Meeting at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Santry on Saturday 21st April last.

Restructuring:

The most significant outcome of the AGM was that the Association approved the adoption of a new structure for the sport which will hopefully be implemented with effect from early 2013. This new structure follows the Irish Sports Councils corporate governance recommendations and will involve all aspects of the sport coming under the umbrella of an expanded Association Board and many of the day to day functions being carried out by an executive appointed by the Board. A Working Group was established to draft new statutes and consult with the member organisations regarding the detailed implementation.

Board Members & Appointees:

The incumbent officers were reappointed to their positions. In order to smooth the transition to the new structure, the alternate Board members from the IAFL, IAFOA, IFFA and representatives of the IAFCA will also attend all Board meetings. The new Board is as follows:

President: Greg Loughran

Secretary: Cillian Smith

Treasurer: Michael Smith

Alternates/Representatives:

John Judge, Chris Gaughan, Russell Kerley, Ken Farrell & Tony Rivers.

Auditor: Terry Lynch.

IAFA Coaching established:

The IAFA approved the establishment of a new Coaching Department.  John Judge was appointed as the Associations first ever Director of  Coaching and Chris Gaughan will be the departments administrative coordinator. This Department has taken over the registration, regulatory and education functions that were previously carried out by the IAFCA. Coaching in Ireland is expected to undergo significant changes over the next couple of years consequential to the sport transitioning from BAFCA certification to Coaching Ireland certification courses/standards. Two coaches are currently enrolled in Coaching Ireland’s tutor course at UL.

Other topics discussed at the AGM include the big events taking place later this year, IFAF/EFAF matters and the recently announced ISC grant.

The EFAF General Assembly took place in Berlin on March 31, 2012. Delegates from most of EFAF’s member federations attended the conference.  The General Assembly was opened by EFAF President Robert Huber.

The President of the Belgium Football League (BFL) Lesley Moreels was elected as new member of the Board of Directors for the remaining term of the Board until 2014. Michael Smith of the IAFA was appointed as EFAF Auditor, making him the second Irish person to hold a position of importance in the current EFAF administration – IAFA President Greg Loughran is on the Board of Directors of EFAF.

The AFBN (The Netherlands) as been accepted as full member of EFAF again following some restructuring of the sport in that country. The SAAF (Serbia) was recognized as new full member for Serbia. Croatia was also accepted as new full member. With those three additions EFAF has 24 full members, with six other countries holding other categories of membership.

The General Assembly also approved a new system of sending delegates to the GA which had been proposed by a working group composed of six legal experts out of the member federations.

Parnell Park in Dublin welcomes top U.S. high school American football teams from Arizona and California for Global Ireland Football Tournament

Former All-Ireland Gaelic football star Brian Mullins to serve as GIFT Honorary Chairman

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Thursday, February 23, 2012 – GRANBURY, TX – The Global Ireland Football Tournament 2012 has confirmed that GAA venue Parnell Park will host two American football games featuring top high school teams from the United States playing in Ireland this summer.

Hot on the heels of announcing Pairc Tailteann as a GIFT 2012 venue, organizer Global Football has secured the 11,500-capacity GAA stadium in Donnycarney on Dublin’s northside for games on Friday, August 31.

Hamilton High School from Chandler, Arizona, which reached the Division 1 State Championship Game for the fourth year in a row in 2011, will face Notre Dame High School from Sherman Oaks, California, at 7.30pm. Two more traveling teams, who will open the two-game festival of American football at Parnell Park at 4pm, will be announced soon at www.GIFT2012.com.

Brian Mullins, the noted Gaelic Footballer who played with St Vincent’s and the Dublin Senior Team and is now the Director of Sport at University College Dublin, will serve as Honorary Chairman for the games at Parnell Park. All 12 participating GIFT teams will hold training sessions that will be open to the public and media at UCD on Thursday, August 30, the day before they kick off their new season in Ireland.

“Through my role at UCD and having played football and hurling at Parnell Park over the years, I am really excited and enthusiastic about this event,” said Mullins, who holds four All-Ireland medals. “I want to congratulate everyone associated with these games for their hard work in making this happen.

“I encourage all Irish sports fans to come along and sample a different code of football at a traditional Gaelic sports venue and enjoy what will be a great evening of entertainment. It is an honor to be asked to serve as a GIFT Honorary Chairman, and as Director of Sport at UCD, I am eager to welcome the American football teams to our campus for their training.”

Dublin GAA Chief Executive John Costello said: “The Dublin GAA Board are delighted to host these games in Parnell Park. We can guarantee that those who travel to Ireland to either play or attend this event will have a memorable experience.

“Dublin is a great sporting city and it is also a unique opportunity for our residents to experience American Football in Parnell Park.”

The ‘double-header’ in Dublin is one of three American football showcases that day featuring a total of 12 teams from Arizona, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Texas and Wisconsin being staged at Parnell Park, Páirc Tailteann in Navan, and at a third venue still to be announced. The games will be played on the eve of the Emerald Isle Classic at the AVIVA Stadium between Notre Dame and Navy.

“From the start of planning this classic American football event for Ireland I have worked hard to have these showcase games played in various historical stadiums across the Dublin area, so fans of different areas of the city could come and enjoy the competition,” said Global Football President Patrick Steenberge.

“Parnell Park, the longtime home of the Dublin GAA, is ideally situated on the northside of Dublin. It allows easy access for all the sports fans in that part of the city, as well as being a very short distance from the city center for the American fans there for the Navy vs. Notre Dame game the next day. Our teams will be able to play on hallowed ground where so many Irish greats of Gaelic Football and Hurling have competed.”

Tickets for all GIFT 2012 events, which each offer six hours worth of top-quality American football action, will go on sale on March 1 at the three host venues priced 15 Euros for adults and 10 Euros for students, with free admission for children aged 12 and under.

“The Irish American Football Association are delighted with the professionalism of Global Football and Mr. Steenberge,” said IAFA President Greg Loughran, whose organization governs the sport in Ireland.

“The GIFT 2012 event will give the visiting players and coaches a taste of Ireland and it’s sporting heritage that is not normally possible to experience. The fans of American Football and even the casual spectators who attend these games will be very impressed with the intensity and excitement of the little piece of history that they have witnessed.”

The teams:

Notre Dame High School football has been one of the most consistently successful programs in the state of California since 1993, and during that time has won 14 League Championships, four CIF Championships and has been CIF runner-up three times.

Hamilton High School is one of the top football programs in Arizona and won three consecutive state titles from 2008 to 2010 and also reached the state championship game in 2011. The Huskies also won in 2006 and claimed the Fiesta Region Championship in 11 of the past 12 years and 10 straight since 2002.

Media may download action photos of Notre Dame High School for media use only and the new GIFT 2012 event logo, here.

Photo captions:

0608 – Notre Dame catch

4572 – Notre Dame rush through the defense

4755 – Notre Dame running back

4853 – Notre Dame blocks a field goal attempt

4976 – Notre Dame defense on top

5259 & 5435 – Notre Dame prepares to pass

5688 – Notre Dame field goal

9551 – Notre Dame high school enters the field

0743 – Making progress on the ground

12 – Cheers to our fans

Please credit Notre Dame High School with photo use.

About Parnell Park: A Gaelic Athletic Association venue in Donnycarney in the northside suburbs of Dublin, the venue has a capacity of 11,500 and is nicknamed The Nell. The ground hosts the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship, Railway Cup Dublin Cup Championships and is used by Dublin’s inter-county teams and as a training ground for major games being played at Croke Park.

About University College Dublin (UCD): One of Europe’s leading research-intensive universities where undergraduate education, postgraduate masters and PhD training, research, innovation and community engagement form a dynamic continuum of activity.

The university was established in 1854 by John Henry Newman whose classic work ‘The Idea of a University’ is one of the most enduring texts on the value of higher education and a source of inspiration for UCD’s current educational philosophy.

Today UCD is Ireland’s largest university with almost 25,000 students. It is the most popular destination for Irish school-leavers and actively promotes university life as a journey of academic and personal discovery through its highly innovative and flexible UCD Horizons undergraduate curriculum.

The University¹s Elite Athlete Academy and Sports Scholarship Program has established UCD as the preferred choice for athletes who wish to compete and succeed at the highest sporting levels while simultaneously attaining a degree at UCD. The programme supports high calibre athletes striving for sporting and academic success to allow them to reach their maximum potential inside and outside the classroom.

About Global Football: Under the guidance of President Patrick Steenberge, a former Notre Dame quarterback and high school All-American at Erie Cathedral Prep, Global Football has produced football games in 19 nations during the past 16 years. Working partners include USA Football, NFL, Super Bowl Host Committees, American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), Notre Dame, Penn State, Pop Warner, Tanzania Sports Council and dozens of NCAA Division III colleges as well as National Football Federations worldwide. www.globalfootball.com

About the Irish American Football Association (IAFA): The National Governing Body for American Football in Ireland is recognised by the Irish Sports Council and the Federation of Irish Sports. It is affiliated to the European Federation of American Football (EFAF) and the International Federation of American Football (IFAF). The Irish American Football League (IAFL) plays adult, full contact American football U.S. college football rules and has also established an 8v8 league to allow new teams to progress.

About Anthony Travel: The leader in university and sports travel management, playing a critical role in the success of the Emerald Isle Classic and Global Ireland Football Tournament. Providing over 10,000 guests with comprehensive travel solutions to Ireland, Anthony Travel is sure to deliver an unforgettable experience.

For information about the Global Ireland Football Tournament 2012 please visit www.GIFT2012.com or email Patrick@GlobalFootball.com. All team and fan travel for GIFT is being expertly handled by Anthony Travel, which also manages all team and fan travel for the Notre Dame and Navy. Contact Sheldon Baxter for details, or visit www.anthonytravel.com/globalfootball/gift.

Contact: Michael Preston
www.GlobalFootball.com Tel: (001)- 781-363-0305
Global Football Notes 2011-24 MP@MPrestonSports.com
Twitter @GlobalSportsGuy www.AmericanFootball.ie

Top U.S. high school American football teams from Arizona
and Philadelphia to play regular season-opener at
Páirc Tailteann in Navan, Ireland, on August 31

Trim welcomes Notre Dame Prep, Father Judge and fans to a ‘Feile Americana’ five-day festival as Greater Dublin embraces Global Ireland Football Tournament

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Friday, February 17, 2012 – GRANBURY, TX – Two top high school American football teams from the United States will open their regular season at the famous Páirc Tailteann, home of Meath Gaelic Football and Hurling in Ireland, on Friday, August 31 as part of the Global Ireland Football Tournament (GIFT) 2012.

The clash between the Notre Dame Preparatory High School Saints from Scottsdale, Arizona, and Father Judge High School Crusaders of Philadelphia will kick off at 7.30pm local time in Navan. Two more traveling teams, who will open the two-game festival of American football at the 20,000-capacity venue at 4pm, will be announced soon at www.GIFT2012.com.

“The great bond between our two nations is well documented,” said Meath GAA Cathaoirleach (President) Bernard Allen. “I trust our visitors will enjoy their historic visit to an equally historic county. Coiste na Mí (County Meath) is determined to make their stay an unforgettable one.

“Páirc Tailteann has hosted many great games since it opened in 1935. Australian youth teams played in the Navan venue, so the United States teams will be joining an elite group of great sports personnel who will display all that is good in sport. We hope the memories they will take with them from the Royal County will endure well into the future.”

The ‘double-header’ at the historic GAA stadium is one of three American football showcases that day featuring a total of 12 teams from Arizona, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Texas and Wisconsin being staged at three different venues in and around Dublin by Global Football. The games will be played on the eve of the Emerald Isle Classic being played at the AVIVA Stadium between Notre Dame and Navy.

Media may download action photos of Notre Dame Prep for media use only, here.

Tickets for all GIFT 2012 events, which each offer six hours worth of top-quality American football action, will go on sale on March 1 at the three host venues and through Ticketmaster, priced 15 Euros for adults and 10 Euros for students, with free admission for children aged 12 and under.

The Irish American Football Association (IAFA) endorses the GIFT 2012 event and one of their member teams, the Trim Bulldogs, County Meath’s first and only American football club, will provide support for the games at Páirc Tailteann. With more than 20,000 gridiron fans expected to travel to Ireland in the last week of August, the town of Trim will add to the celebrations by holding the ‘Feile Americana’. The 5-day festival will showcase the very best of music, arts and cuisine from both sides of the Atlantic from August 29 to September 2.

Bulldogs head coach Garland Drake said: “I am delighted to hear GIFT 2012 has confirmed their commitment to Meath, the Royal County, to play two competitive games in Páirc Tailteann. This will heighten how popular American football is becoming in Ireland. It is truly an honor for County Meath to have been chosen as a destination for Global Ireland Football Tournament 2012, which is so aptly named.”

Trim’s pubs and hotels will have live music each night of the festival, ranging from traditional Irish music to jazz, country and bluegrass. An American-style drive-in cinema will provide entertainment for the whole family on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The event will be centrally located in the town’s Porchie Fields and will be showing up to three movies a day free of charge. A pedestrian viewing area will accommodate those who prefer sit out in the open air to enjoy the screenings.

Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon will provide locals and visitors alike with the chance to experience the very best in traditional music from both sides of the Atlantic. The Music Stage along with a selection of food and beverage vendors will provide a relaxing atmosphere, where people can sit out and enjoy the music that our festival has to offer.

The beautiful green area at the front of Trim Castle’s Dublin gate will be transformed into a quintessential American style country fair, with the best of Irish and American artisan foods and crafts on sale. The market will give all comers the opportunity to indulge in everything from Californian Blueberry muffins to New England Clam Chowder, a New Yorker Hot Dog to the Deep South’s Creole Cookin’ as well as the many unique foods and flavors that Ireland has to offer.

Other events over the weekend will include a Gala Dinner and Charity Auction and an exhibition game featuring County Meath’s very own Trim Bulldogs.

The GIFT visiting teams will immerse themselves in the local community during the event. Notre Dame Prep will hold public training sessions at the GAA fields in Trim and the Saints will also stay in the town’s Knightsbrook Hotel Spa & Golf Resort. One of the other teams playing in Navan as part of the GIFT event will stay at the New Grange Hotel there, a bedroom community west of Dublin, and local schools will be encouraged to form a cultural exchange with their American counterparts.

Patrick Steenberge, President of GIFT 2012 organizer Global Football said: “I have been in Ireland numerous times with many teams and only recently had an opportunity to visit County Meath. The people there are just what we Americans all think of when we think of the Irish: warm, friendly, proud and engaging.

“Trim is just a lovely drive from Dublin and boasts the largest Norman castle in Ireland, with the Boyne River flowing through it, and their burgeoning American football team will insure our games in nearby Navan will be well-attended. Páirc Tailteann Stadium is an ideal showcase for our games.”

The teams:

Notre Dame Prep won back-to-back Arizona Class 4A Division II championships in 2007 and 2008 and just missed out on the championship in 2010, losing a heartbreaking 49-48 game to Williams Field, then made the first round of the playoffs in 2011.

Philadelphia’s Father Judge High School’s team finished with a won 7 lost 4 record in 2011. The football program, which competes in the Philadelphia Catholic 4-A league, has won five championships (1964, 1975, 1981, 1983, 1984) and most recently reached the championship game in 2008.

About Páirc Tailteann: The Gaelic Athletic Association stadium in Navan, County Meath, Ireland, is the home of the Meath Gaelic football and Hurling teams. The ground has a capacity of between 20,000 and 23,000 and is the venue of the annual Meath GAA club championship finals of which the winners receive the Keegan Cup (for Football) and the Jubilee Cup (for Hurling). It is the principal GAA stadium in County Meath, which boasts 60 GAA clubs, and was opened in 1935.

About the Irish Association of American Football (IAFA): The National Governing Body for American Football in Ireland is recognised by the Irish Sports Council and the Federation of Irish Sports. It is affiliated to the European Federation of American Football (EFAF) and the International Federation of American Football (IFAF). The Irish American Football League (IAFL) plays adult, full contact American football U.S. college football rules and has also established an 8v8 league to allow new teams to progress.

About Anthony Travel: The leader in university and sports travel management, playing a critical role in the success of the Emerald Isle Classic and Global Ireland Football Tournament. Providing over 10,000 guests with comprehensive travel solutions to Ireland, Anthony Travel is sure to deliver an unforgettable experience.
For information about the Global Ireland Football Tournament 2012 please visit www.GIFT2012.com or email Patrick@GlobalFootball.com. All team and fan travel for GIFT is being expertly handled by Anthony Travel, which also manages all team and fan travel for the Notre Dame and Navy. Contact Sheldon Baxter for details, or visit www.anthonytravel.com/globalfootball/gift.

Media note: Please contact Global Football media representatives Preston Consulting to request a word document version of this press release, event photos, for more information.

Michael Preston: MP@MPrestonSports.com 781-363-0305

About Global Football

Headed by President Patrick Steenberge, a former Notre Dame quarterback and high school All-American at Erie Cathedral Prep. During the past 14 years, Global Football has produced football games in 19 nations. Working partners include USA Football, NFL, Super Bowl Host Committees, American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), Notre Dame, Penn State, Pop Warner, and numerous Division III colleges as well as National Football Federations worldwide. www.globalfootball.com

The Irish Sports Council has increased the funding granted to Irish American Football Association (IAFA) for 2012. The IAFA’s Core Grant remains static at €22,000, however, it’s Women In Sport grant has increased by €1,000 to €3,000 thus giving the organisation an overall increase in funding.

This increase in funding comes in spite of there being severe cuts to Government expenditure in most area including a reduction in the overall amount of money available to fund National Governing Bodies of sport. The IAFA generally invests Core Grant monies in grassroots development initiatives such as coaches education and schools flag football.  Over the past 12 months, the number of participants in the schools flag football programme has risen dramatically and the IAFA is in the process of expanding the programme to girls schools, hence the increase in WIS funding. The increase in the numbers participating in these programmes has resulted in a 40% increase in the overall participation in the sport during 2011.

The University of Limerick will host NCAA College Football team, University of Wisconsin Eau-Claire in a prestigious challenge game to take place in Limerick on June 10th 2012.

The Blugolds are a well supported Division III programme who play in the WIAC Conference. They are coached by Todd Glaser and have 9 all-conference players on their current roster. The game is being arranged in conjunction with Global Football who are also arranging the GIFT Tournament involving 8 NCAA and High School teams next August/September.

The UL Vikings are one of the top teams in Ireland and have been frequent participants in the Shamrock Bowl in recent years. In 2011, they won IAFL South with a 8-0 regular season record.  

The Irish American Football Association has a new postal address with effect from 1st September 2011:

Irish American Football Association,
19 Castle Park,
Clondalkin,
Dublin 22,
Ireland.

All post should now be sent to this address. Phone and email contact details remain unchanged.

The Annual General Meeting of the Federation of Irish Sports took place at SportsHQ on Tuesday 21st June. The newly appointed Minister for Tourism & Sport, Michael Ring TD addressed the meeting and stayed behind afterwards to speak to the various representatives on a individual basis. Outgoing President, Frances Kavanagh and CEO Sarah O’Connor gave reports on the organisations activities.

A new Executive Committee was elected and includes IAFA Board member, Cillian Smith. The Committee will consist of the following individuals:

Chair: Fergus Murphy (Special Olympics)

Treasurer: Brendan Waters (Irish Sailing Association)

Executive Committee: Sarah O’Shea (Football Association of Ireland), Henry Hermon (Irish Sailing Assoc.), Sarah Keane (Swim Ireland), Ciaran Gallagher (Gymnastics Ireland), Cillian Smith (Irish American Football Association), Liam Harbison (Paralympic Council of Ireland) and Thomas McDermott (South Dublin County Council).

The Federation of Irish Sports consists of the National Governing Bodies, Local Sports Partnerships and other organisations involved in sport. It’s principal aim is to represent the sporting community, particularly when dealing with Government.

The Annual General Meeting of the Irish American Football Association took place a the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dublin on Saturday 19th March. The outlook from the meeting was generally positive. Topics discussed included how to expand the schools flag football programme, the introduction of youth kitted football and the ISC Women in Sport initiative. Delegates were also given an update on some high profile football events that are proposed for Ireland over the next 2-3 of years.

A new Board was appointed for 2011-2012. Greg Loughran (President), Cillian Smith (Secretary) and Michael Smith (Treasurer) retained the positions they occupied in 2010-2011. John Judge (Board Member) was appointed to replace the vacancy previously occupied by Darrin O’Toole. Tony Rivers and Barry Bolton both return as alternate Board members. Chris Gaughan and Ken Farrell are newly appointed alternates. The alternates will attend and fully participate in all meetings over the coming year. Michael Smith was appointed as the IAFA Delegate to the EFAF General Assembly, which is due to take place in Budapest next weekend.  Practising accountant Terry Lynch was re-appointed as Auditor.

The Irish Sports Council (ISC), which is the Irish Government agency tasked with funding National Governing Bodies of sport in Ireland, has confirmed that the Irish American Football Association’s NGB Grant allocation funding will be kept at current levels for at least another year. This is very good news for the IAFA considering that, due to the recent financial crisis and the terms of the IMF/EU deal, the Irish Government has had to make significant cuts in public expenditure for 2011. These cuts include a 12% reduction in the budget of the Dept. of Tourism, Sport & Culture – which is the ISC’s parent Department, and consequential reductions in the total funding available to all sports organisations in Ireland.

A spokesman for the IAFA Board said today that “the IAFA is pleased that the Irish Government, through the Irish Sports Council, is committed to funding the continued development of American football in Ireland. It is a tribute to the hard work of our volunteers and members that the Government has chosen to maintain our funding levels in such difficult financial times”.

ISC NGB Grant aid is targeted at development programmes aimed at increasing participation in the sport. These programmes include such as coaches education, schools flag football and the certification of officials.