Gridiron Australia

Gridiron Australia
Sport Gridiron
Jurisdiction Australia
Abbreviation GA
Founded 1996
Affiliation International Federation of American Football
Regional affiliation Oceania Federation of American Football
Australia

Gridiron Australia is the governing body of American football (gridiron) in Australia. It is an approved sporting association under federal government regulations and is a member of the International Federation of American Football (IFAF). The organisation was formed in 1996.[1]

Gridiron Australia oversees the country's national team, which has competed in the IFAF World Cup. It is a governing body of the state-level leagues and does not manage a national-level league itself. Seven out of the eight Australian states and territories run leagues; a total of 55 clubs entering over 100 teams consisting of approximately 3000 players.[2] Leagues also provide state-level teams to the Gridiron Australia National Championships.[3] In 2012, the Australian Gridiron League was established by Gridiron Australia.

Organised gridiron has been played in Australia since 1983 and is always referred to as gridiron rather than football to distinguish it from the other football codes such as rugby league, rugby union, Australian rules football or soccer. There is no uniform gridiron season in Australia, with the leagues playing at different times of the year.

Australian national team

The Australia national team, known as the Outbacks, represent Australia in international competitions. They have competed in the IFAF World Cup, the Oceania Bowl,[4] and other national-level events.

Member leagues and teams

There are 55 Clubs that compete in full contact junior, senior and women's competitions in seven leagues nationwide. Representative teams are formed by players from across the league, not solely from the league's championship team. Gridiron Australia also includes non-contact touch football and flag football competitions and tournaments.

See also

References

  1. ↑ https://web.archive.org/20090808203319/http://www.ifaf.info:80/countries/index/15. Archived from the original on 8 August 2009. Retrieved 15 February 2011. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  2. ↑ Shaw, Joh (1999-08-09). "Australians Not Quick to Embrace Slow Pace of American Football". New York Times. Retrieved 2007-12-04.
  3. ↑ ABC Sport Online (2005-02-07). "Aussie Super Bowl coming to Adelaide". ABC Sport. Retrieved 2007-12-04.
  4. ↑ Worrad, Sam (2005-07-14). "Give 'em a hand: Australia rules". The Glebe. Retrieved 2007-12-04.

External links

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