The International Federation of American Football has completed the coaching staff line up that will lead the IFAF World Development Team as part of the USA Football International Bowl in Austin, Texas. The aim of bringing together the group of World Development Team athletes is to identify and develop candidates who are eligible for future IFAF World Team rosters.
Started last year, the IFAF World Development Team is comprised of the best players from around the world born in 1993 and 1994. A select number of players from the World Development Team will be elevated to fill the final spots on the IFAF World Team roster that will take on the U.S. Under-19 National Team on Wednesday, February 1 in Austin, Texas.
Great Britain’s University of Birmingham Lions Head Coach Wayne Hill will lead the linebackers on the squad. Since Hill has been at the helm of the program, the Lions have turned into one of the country's top teams on and off the field. The Lions have reached the playoffs each of the 14 years that Hill has been involved with the program.
In 2005, Hill led the Lions to a College Bowl XIX title completing a perfect 12-0 season. In 2006, the Lions became the first team to complete three straight undefeated (8-0) regular seasons. As a defensive coordinator, the Birmingham Lions won the National Championship in 2009 and 2010 and in 2011 Hill returned as Head Coach.
“This is not only a great opportunity for the players but also for every coach involved,” said Coach Hill. “This program gives me and every coach in it the chance to develop our knowledge, coaching and delivery. From this we can then take it back to our respective countries, programs and players and share this enhanced knowledge. I cannot wait to get started.”
Welcoming the announcement the Chair of the British American Football Association Gary Marshall said ‘I am delighted for Wayne. This reflects the high esteem in which he is held and I have no doubt he will be a tremendous ambassador for British football’.
BAFA Director for Student Football Development, Andy Fuller, said of the decision ‘The selection of Wayne to the IFAF World Development Team coaching staff is richly deserved and stands as testament to his outstanding record as a coach. I speak for all those involved in student football in congratulating him on this achievement’.
Russ Hewitt, President of the Coaches' Association added 'This will be a tremendous experience for Wayne. We look forward to him sharing this with the coaching community.'
The 2011-12 IFAF Development Team coaching staff is comprised of coaches representing Canada, France, Great Britain, Japan, Mexico, Spain and Sweden.
IFAF World Development Team Coaching Staff:
The IFAF World Development Team is an ongoing player development initiative for talented athletes and will come under the supervision of World Development Team Coordinator Tim Enger. The Canadian has been employed at Football Alberta for the past 21 years and has developed several programs including the Senior Bowl High School All-Star Game, the Bantam Bowl, football's participation in the Alberta Summer Games, and Minor Provincials. His coaching experiences have spanned all levels of the tackle game and as a head coach his teams have won eight league or Provincial Championships.
Tim Enger. Canada. Development Team Coordinator
Michael Faulds. Canada. Quarterbacks
Hiroki Uno. Japan. Running Backs
Hugo Lira. Mexico. Wide Receivers
Stefan Bjorkman. Sweden. Offensive Line
Wayne Hill. Great Britain. Linebackers
Aitor Trabado. Spain. Defensive Backs
Olivier Moret. France. Special Teams
Barclay Spady. Canada. Defensive Line