IFAF Launches Global Tackle Football Task Force
PARIS – The International Federation of American Football (IFAF) has announced the formation of the Global Tackle Football Task Force (GTFTF), a dedicated body that will evaluate the global state of tackle football and develop a comprehensive strategy to support sustainable growth, competitiveness, and inclusivity.
Fabio Tortosa, IFAF Director of Competitions:
“2023 saw an incredible Women’s World Championship whilst in 2024 we witnessed the successful staging of the IFAF U20 World Championship in Canada, the culmination of the IFAF Women’s European Championship, the first phase of both the IFAF U19 and Men’s European Championships as well as planning for activity in Central and South America. This provides a strong platform for exploring how we evolve our structures to support activity in tackle football.”
Tortosa concluded “I am delighted that the IFAF Executive Board have asked Jim Mullin to lead on this important area of work and report to the Board the findings of the Task Force.”
“We are at a pivotal moment in tackle football’s evolution,” said Jim Mullin, Vice-President of IFAF and Chair of the GTFTF. “Our goal is to maintain its competitive integrity, while ensuring that national federations in every region have the capacity to pursue a clear pathway to international competition.”
The Task Force will evaluate the current state of tackle football among national teams worldwide, seeking to identify structural, financial, and logistical hurdles that challenge the sport’s broader expansion. Insights collected will guide proposals on a refreshed format for international tackle football competitions, striking a balance between growth, inclusivity, and long-term sustainability.
IFAF President Pierre Trochet:
“Many regions have experienced significant success with tackle football, while others face critical economic or logistical barriers. We believe this Task Force will lead the way in bridging those gaps by designing frameworks that respect each nation’s unique capacity and priorities but also uphold the integrity of the international game.”
The GTFTF will engage both internal and external stakeholders, including IFAF continental representatives, national governing bodies, athletes, coaches, professional league leaders, and media outlets. This broad engagement process will help shape recommendations around participation, competitive structures, and regional disparities.
The Task Force’s responsibilities include:
- Stakeholder Consultation: Gathering diverse perspectives on the challenges and opportunities within national team and international competitions.
- Evaluation: Assessing participation rates, structural barriers, and best practices across member nations.
- Capacity Analysis: Ensuring that recommendations align with each region’s readiness and ability to support robust tackle football programs.
- Strategic Alignment: Proposing updated competition formulas that promote inclusivity, sustainability, and the overall integrity of the sport.
- Implementation Planning: Delivering a clear roadmap and actionable steps for IFAF staff, complete with timelines and resource guidelines.
A primary interim report will immediate action items will be presented to the IFAF Board in late April. A comprehensive report will be produced by July 5, 2025, detailing the status of national teams, the aspirational targets across all regions, and proposed frameworks for the sport’s continued growth.
“This is not just an internal exercise,” Mullin explained. “We aim to produce a roadmap that can be adopted by our Board, and employed by national federations around the world, to place all of our elite tackle athletes on a path to global competition.”
