American Football Australia and NFL launch partnership to expand national flag football Sporting Schools program

American Football Australia (AFA) and the National Football League (NFL) have today announced a first-of-its-kind partnership in Australia that will see the two organisations deliver a national Sporting Schools program.

As part of the agreement, flag football school programs delivered in schools by AFA and the NFL will carry 'NFL Flag' brand, expanding on the sport's footprint in the Australian Sports Commission's (ASC) national Sporting Schools program.. The partnership between AFA and the NFL demonstrates the shared vision for the development of flag football at an important time when the sport is experiencing rapid growth across the country.

Established in 2015, Sporting Schools is an Australian Government initiative that continues to provide primary and secondary school students with the chance to develop new skills, build confidence, and reap the rewards of physical activity.

Speaking on the announcement, Wade Kelly, CEO of American Football Australia, said:

"American Football Australia is thrilled to be partnering with the NFL to deliver flag football through the Australian Sports Commission's Sporting Schools program – a partnership that puts the world's biggest football brand behind our grassroots ambitions." 

On the rapid growth of the sport, Kelly said,

"This is another huge step in the exponential growth of flag football across Australia, opening the game up to boys and girls in schools in every corner of the country. Sporting Schools is the foundation our flag football programs are built on, and we have no doubt Australia's future Olympic flag football players will come through it."

Flag football, a 5-a-side, non-contact version of American football, is played by more than 20 million people in over 100 countries worldwide and continues to see rapid growth, particularly among youth and girls' participation. The sport will make its Olympic debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Games, with the International Federation of American Football (IFAF), AFA and the NFL all championing for its inclusion at Brisbane 2032 and beyond.

Australia's national flag football teams are ranked among the best in the world, with the men sitting 8th and the women 10th in the global standings. In 2025, the men's team claimed gold at the IFAF Asia-Oceania Flag Football Championships and the women silver at the same tournament, with both teams qualifying for the 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championships in Düsseldorf, Germany, from August 13-16.

Departing Friday 7 August, both the women's and men's squads will compete for Olympic qualification against the world's top nations in the first direct qualifying event for the Los Angeles 2028 Games.

Speaking on the partnership and the global growth of the sport, Charlotte Offord, NFL General Manager – Australia and New Zealand, said,

"Australia has emerged as one of the most exciting growth markets for flag football globally, and partnering with American Football Australia allows us both to accelerate that momentum." 

Offord added,

"Together, we are creating a pathway that introduces more young people to the sport, strengthens participation in schools and communities, and supports the next generation of athletes. As interest in flag football continues to rise around the world ahead of its Olympic debut in 2028, this partnership provides a strong foundation for the long-term growth of the game in Australia." 

The NFL has continued to invest in international growth through grassroots participation, youth development and strategic partnerships, with Australia representing a key market in the league's global expansion efforts. Starting as a pilot program in ten Australian schools in 2022, the NFL's national flag competition has now expanded to more than 500 schools, with over 100,000 students participating in state, national and international flag football tournaments.

In partnership, the International Federation of American Football (IFAF), AFA and the NFL continue to showcase efforts to increase participation and inspire the next generation of flag footballers.

Stay up to date on American Football in Australia, follow @americanfootballau on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.  For more information on American football in Australia, visit americanfootball.org.au

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Media contact

Brock Bentley

Chief Marketing Officer, American Football Australia

media@americanfootball.org.au

American Football Australia (AFA) is the national governing body for American Football in Australia, recognised by the Australian Sports Commission and a full member of the International Federation of American Football (IFAF). AFA is responsible for national competitions and the development of Australian national teams across both tackle and flag football.