Gridiron Australia

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Gridiron Australia
Sport Gridiron
Founded 1996
No. of teams 6 state / territory leagues
Country Australia
Official website gridironaustralia.org.au

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. Six out of the eight Australian states and territories run leagues; a total of 70 teams consisting of approximately 2500 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

Main article: Australia national American football 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 39 Division One teams (over 18 division) who play in six leagues. Representative teams are formed by players across the league, not solely from the league championship team. Other teams part of Gridiron Australia include colts teams (under 18 division) and flag football tournaments.

  • ACT Gridiron - Championship is the Capital Bowl, representative team is the ACT Monarchs
  • Gridiron NSW - Championship is the Waratah Bowl, representative team is the NSW Wolfpack
    • Bondi Raiders
    • Central Coast Sharks
    • Newcastle Cobras
    • Northwestern Predators
    • Penrith City Outlaws
    • Sutherland Seahawks
    • Sydney Uni Lions
    • UTS Gridiron
    • West Sydney Pirates
    • Wollongong Mustangs
  • Gridiron Queensland - Championship is the Sun Bowl, representative team is the Queensland Sundevils
  • South Australian Gridiron Association - Championship is the Gridiron SA Grand Final, representative team is the SA Swarm
  • Gridiron Victoria - Championship is the Vic Bowl, representative team is the Victorian Eagles
    • Ballarat Falcons
    • Bendigo Dragons
    • Geelong Buccaneers American Football Club
    • Berwick Miners
    • Croydon Rangers
    • Gippsland Gladiators
    • Melbourne Uni Royals
    • Monash University Warriors
    • Northern Raiders
    • Western Crusaders
  • Gridiron West - Championship is the Gridiron West Championship, representative team is the WA Raiders
    • Claremont Jets
    • Curtin Saints
    • Perth Blitz
    • Perth Broncos
    • Rockingham Vipers
    • West Coast Wolverines
    • West Coast Fire
    • Westside Steelers

See also

  • Gridiron in Australia
  • List of leagues of American football

References

  1. ↑
  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

Gridiron in Australia
Leagues
National teams
Governing bodies
Other articles
Summer Olympic Sports
Winter Olympic Sports
Other IOC Recognised Sports
Paralympics and Disabled Sports
Others Sports
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