TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2012 - PARIS, FRANCE - The International Federation of American Football has invited its member federations to nominate coaches, players and support staff to be part of the 2012-13 IFAF World Team program.
Entering its fourth year, the IFAF World Team program is an elite international player and coach development program designed to provide an opportunity for the world's top players and coaches to further their development and showcase the game's worldwide growth in the International Bowl, an annual competition against USA Football's Under-19 National Team.
The IFAF World Team defeated USA Football's Under-19 National Team 35-29 in the 2012 International Bowl in Austin, Texas, as the program featured 91 players and 22 coaches from 19 IFAF member federations drawn from five continents.
"The World Team program allows IFAF to identify and develop the best young players from around the world," said IFAF President TOMMY WIKING.
"By inviting these prospects to get together in a competitive and focused environment and by monitoring their progress over a period of time, we are able to enhance the coaching they are already receiving at the national team level in their respective countries. Many of tomorrow's top international players will emerge from this program."
As the popularity of the IFAF World Team program continues to grow worldwide, IFAF expects a record number of nominations for both players and coaches. Nominees go through an extensive evaluation process before being invited to participate on the Final Roster or World Development Team.
The program has grown in quality and numbers each year and 2012-13 will see an increase in the amount of players, coaches and support staff selected to participate in the International Bowl. A total of 33 coaches, 50 IFAF World Team Final Roster players, 100 IFAF World Development Team players and 20 support staff will represent their countries during the 2013 International Bowl.
Players must be non-U.S. passport holders, a member of their Under-19 National Team Program and born between 1993 and 1996 to be eligible for nomination. The final IFAF World Team roster will feature the top 50 players selected solely on ability, regardless of nationality. The coaching staff will invite between 40 and 45 players for the final roster and will leave the remaining roster spots open for players promoted from the World Development Team.