IFAF elections usher in new era

For the first time since 2016, the International Federation of American Football, IFAF, will have new leadership.

In a vote conducted via a Zoom call, IFAF members voted for a new slate of candidates who were running for the most part unopposed.

Mr. Pierre Trochet from the French Federation of American Football, FFFA, has been elected as the new president of IFAF. With his extensive background in football, not only in France but also internationally, he was a natural candidate to assume the reins from Canada’s Richard MacLean, who has been at the helm of IFAF since 2016, and successfully navigated the international body through two years of turmoil and brought stability back to the international scene.

Trochet was quick to acknowledge the contribution of the outgoing president and board.

” I want to thank Mr. Richard MacLean for his work over the past six years. When we were almost at our lowest point, Richard was able to find the compromises to bring us together and get us back on the path to positive progress. For this work and dedication, Richard, thank you.”

In addition to president, IFAF elected Scott Hallenbeck from the United States as Vice President, Canada’s Jim Mullin as General Secretary, Michael Eschlböck as Director of Finance, Finland’s Roope Noronen as Director of Competitions and Makoto Koshi from Japan as Director of Development.

The new board will hit the ground running according to Trochet as it officially takes office on December 13.

“In the next few months, we have a crucial deadline with the World Games in July 2022 in Birmingham, Alabama. This competition will set the pace for a busy calendar with the Women’s World Championship and the return of European competitions for the U19s. I hope that in 2023 the most important continental competition cycle in the history of IFAF will begin.”

Trochet is fully aware of the immediate deadlines facing his new board as recognition and acceptance by the International Olympic Committee is one of the key issues:

“These challenges drive our passions but should not overshadow the immediate need to solidify our governance. We are under full observation by the International Olympic Committee to complete a recognition process. To do this, IFAF must urgently acquire a staff, improve communication and relations between members from the five continents. With our new team, we will quickly establish an institutional plan, re-launch the strategic committee, bring together the continental directors, and prepare an effective action plan in six months between now and our next congress. In the coming days, we will begin the transition process and launch a series of continental meetings to build a better vision of your organization and the impact of the last few months to create a common road for the future. Some countries or continents will move faster than others, but no one should standstill. We have one of the most strategic and collective sports globally, and this is our opportunity to move forward. I thank you for your support.”