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[ En Inglés
]
Press
release:
The NFL Youth
Football Fund, a non-profit foundation created by the
NFL and NFL Players Association, which promotes the game
and the universal character values that it instills in
youngsters, has approved a $2.465 million IFAF grant
proposal over the next two years to further strengthen
the sport’s global participation and popularity.
Funding from the NFL Youth Football Fund grant focuses
on dynamic IFAF-directed Junior (19 & under) and Youth
(15 & under) football initiatives within IFAF’s 41
member countries with the goal of establishing best
practices and standards of excellence that will benefit
all members and expedite growth of American football
globally. Such programs include:
- Development Tour – designed to bring American college
and high school coaches together with IFAF member
country junior and youth level coaches to foster
football development, cultural exchange and best
practices
- IFAF Coaching Schools (up to 15 in 2008) – targeting
junior and youth coaches
- IFAF Player Academies – offering specialized football
instruction for junior and youth players
- IFAF Equipment Grants totaling $400,000 to provide
member countries’ federations, based on merit and need,
with state-of-the-art football resources.
The grant funding will also provide IFAF with an updated
website (IFAF.info) and allow for the international
federation to expand its staff and offer additional
service to its global and growing membership.
“The vision of the NFL’s Youth Football Fund through
this innovative grant is a landmark achievement to make
this great sport even stronger,” says IFAF President
Tommy Wiking. “The game’s speed, action, strategy, and
universal values like teamwork and sportsmanship make
American football a multi-dimensional and multi-cultural
sport unlike any other.
“The world’s American football community is stronger
today because of this partnership. With IFAF’s
leadership and the NFL Youth Football Fund’s vision,
this great game’s brightest days reside in its future.”
“The funds provided through the Youth Football Fund
grant will be focused on developing this great game at
the junior and youth levels to ensure a strong
foundation is established for the future growth of
American football internationally,” says IFAF Treasurer
and USA Football Executive Director Scott Hallenbeck.
IFAF recently sanctioned and adopted USA Football’s
innovative online education programs to benefit junior
and youth coaches in its 41-country membership with the
game’s top teaching methods. USA Football is offering
its Coaches Certification Education Program without cost
until the IFAF course is available in early 2009.
IFAF, through the YFF grant, is now positioned to
galvanize the fragmented landscape of junior and youth
football internationally and provide members with strong
leadership through innovative educational,
developmental, and fiscal best practices and resources
to increase youth football programs globally.
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