- Gridiron Australia
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Gridiron Australia 
Sport Gridiron Founded 1996 No. of teams 6 state / territory leagues Country(ies) 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]
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.
Contents
Australian national team
Main article: Australia national American football teamThe 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
- Astros
- Narrabundah Centurions
- Tuggeranong Tornadoes
- University of Canberra Firebirds
- Woden Valley Gladiators
- Gungahlin Wildcats
- Gridiron NSW - Championship is the Waratah Bowl, representative team is the NSW Wolfpack
- Bondi Raiders
- Northwestern Predators
- Penrith City Outlaws
- Sutherland Seahawks
- Sydney Uni Lions
- UTS Gridiron
- West Sydney Pirates
- Wollongong Mustangs
- Central Coast Sharks
- Gridiron Queensland - Championship is the Sun Bowl, representative team is the Queensland Sundevils
- Bayside Ravens
- Browns Plains Bruins
- Kenmore Bears
- Daisy Hill Wildcats
- Gold Coast Stingrays
- Western Cougars
- Toowoomba Wolves
- Sunshine Coast Spartans
- Northside Rhinos
- South Australian Gridiron Association - Championship is simply known as the Gridiron SA Grand Final, Representative team is SA Swarm
- Port Adelaide Spartans
- Adelaide Eagles
- Eastside Razorbacks
- Southern District Oilers
- South City Chiefs
- Gridiron Victoria - Seniors Championship is the Vic Bowl and Junior Championship is the Riddel Bowl, representative team is the Victorian Eagles
- Ballarat Pioneers
- Bay City Buccaneers
- Berwick Miners
- Croydon Rangers
- Gippsland Gladiators
- Melbourne Uni Royals
- Monash University Warriors
- Northern Raiders
- Western Crusaders
- Gridiron West - Championship is simply known as 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
- American football
- List of leagues of American football
References
- ^ http://www.ifaf.info/countries/index/15
- ^ Shaw, Joh (1999-08-09). "Australians Not Quick to Embrace Slow Pace of American Football". New York Times. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E07E2DF1130F93AA3575BC0A96F958260. Retrieved 2007-12-04.
- ^ ABC Sport Online (2005-02-07). "Aussie Super Bowl coming to Adelaide". ABC Sport. http://www.abc.net.au/sport/content/200502/s1297099.htm. Retrieved 2007-12-04.[dead link]
- ^ Worrad, Sam (2005-07-14). "Give 'em a hand: Australia rules". The Glebe. http://www.newstext.com.au/docs/GWW/2005/get.jsp?docid=GWW-20050714-1-048-4021353V7@NSW-CUMBERLAND-2006-2005. Retrieved 2007-12-04.
External links
National sports teams of Australia A1 GP · Association football (soccer) (M, W, M U/23, M U/20, W U/20, M U/17) · Baseball (M, W, M U/19) · Basketball (M, W) · Beach soccer · Commonwealth Games · Cricket (M, W) · Futsal (M, W) · Goalball (M, W) · Gridiron · Handball (M, W) · Hockey (M, W) · Ice Hockey (M, W, M U/20, M U/18) · Inline Hockey · International rules (M, W) · Korfball · Lacrosse (M, Indoor, W) · Netball · Olympics · Paralympics · Roller Hockey (M, W) · Rugby League (M, W) · Rugby Union (M, W, M7) · Softball (M, W) · Speedway · Tennis (M, W) · Volleyball (M, W) · Water Polo (M, W) · Wheelchair Basketball (M, W))Categories:- Sports governing bodies in Australia
- American football governing bodies in Australia
- ACT Gridiron - Championship is the Capital Bowl, representative team is the ACT Monarchs
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