Gridiron Australia names Wollongong as host city for 2019 IFAF Men’s World Championship
Gridiron Australia is pleased to announce that Wollongong (NSW, Australia) will host the 2019 IFAF Men’s World Championship of American Football at the iconic WIN Stadium beside the Pacific Ocean.
From Tuesday 23 July – Monday 5 August 2019, 8 teams representing member nations of the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) from around the globe will gather in Wollongong for the Men’s World Championship – an international American football competition held every four years.
Local gridiron player, Jordan Stalker, is thrilled that the World Championships will be coming to his hometown of Wollongong. In 2012, Jordan was selected to play on the World Team at the 2012 IFAF International Bowl where they historically beat the USA 35 -29. Later that year, he represented Australia at the IFAF World U19 Championship Qualifier. Jordan received a full scholarship at the Division 1AA FCS College Gardner Web where he played offensive tackle from 2013-2016.
Wollongong Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM said the event was a wonderful opportunity to showcase Wollongong to an international audience.
“What a thrill it is to welcome the American Football World Championships to Wollongong. To have international participants and guests enjoying our attractions, natural assets and small bars and cafes for a fortnight is a coup for the city, as we showcase WIN Stadium to the world. I’m sure the teams will leave with lasting memories of our beautiful region . . . along with a few bruises after they come up against the Aussies!”
Darrin Mitchell, Gridiron Australia Chairman, is ecstatic to be able to host this event in Australia:
“The City of Wollongong is an ideal location for us to showcase the game of American Football to Australia and promote Australia to our international friends. Gridiron Australia looks forward to bringing our game to the picturesque WIN Stadium and supporting the Illawarra region”.
The Hon. Stuart Laurence Ayres MP, Minister for Sport is supportive of the event:
“This is the first time an IFAF World Championship will be held on Australian soil,” says Mr Ayres. “Hosting a major international event like this in New South Wales provides more than economic benefits. It puts us on the map globally and demonstrates that Australia can take on the world in an American game. For ten days in July and August next year, the seaside city of Wollongong will be the epicentre of gridiron.”
Australia has participated in several of the previous IFAF World Championships and the 2019 event will mark the 20th anniversary of IFAF international competition with the first tournament held in 1999 in Palermo, Italy.
IFAF Oceania Chairman and Executive Board Member, Michael Ryan, is excited by the event:
“It’s a tremendous opportunity to showcase the sport in Australia and the Oceania Region and we look forward to welcoming the world’s athletes “down under”.
