Gridiron Australia (GA), in conjunction with its bid partner Bring it on Sports (BIOS), has announced that it has submitted a bid to the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) to host the 2019 Men’s World Championship between the 15th and 28th October next year in the Greater Sydney Region.
According to Gridiron Australia, the aim and objectives are to:
- Hold the best World Championship possible
- Create exposure for both IFAF and the Gridiron Australia brand
- Create exposure and popularity for the sport or American Football globally and in the Oceania region
- Promote Australia to the world
The long-lasting benefits for Gridiron Australia in hosting the event in Australia include:
- Raising the level of exposure for the sport in Australia
- Assisting GA in increasing its membership and increasing its exposure with the Australian Sports Commission
- Raising our standing within the global gridiron community
- Creating corporate, government and community networks
With an operating budget over $1,000,000 this is a significant event and Gridiron Australia is already working with government departments and corporate partners in ensuring this will be a successful event should we be awarded the championship.
We are expecting an announcement at the next IFAF Congress which is to be held in August 2018 in Panama.
Should Australia be successful it will be the first time a world championship has been held in the Southern Hemisphere. It would also be the 20th anniversary of the first international event held in 1999 in Palermo, Italy.
Our goal is to ensure that everyone attending the event experiences a high level of competition in an inspiring environment.
About Gridiron Australia
- Gridiron Australia (GA) 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). Seven out of the eight Australian states and territories run leagues; comprising a total of 85 teams consisting of approximately 5000 players.
- Gridiron Australia also oversees the country’s national teams, which have competed in several World Championships. It also manages the Junior (U19) National Championship and the Australian Gridiron League (AGL) for both Men and Women.
- Further detail regarding this release can be provided by Kevin Wilson (GA Director) on kevin.wilson@ga.org.au