Gridiron Australia has appointed former NFL Europe Coach John Leijten as Head Coach of its snr national team for its campaign to compete in 2011 IFAF World Cup to be held in Austria.
Leijten, who was born in Australia but raised in The Netherlands, has been successful coaching in Europe, winning Dutch, German and European Championships. In the NFL Europe, his team, the Amsterdam Admirals appeared in 2 consecutive World Bowl Championships games winning it in 2005.
“I am very excited to be working with the all Australian players so that we can build the strongest Australian team ever. There is lots of hard work to do and not much time to do it in but I am confident that we can show great improvement once our plans are implemented”
Gridiron Australia is pleased to have someone of John's ability and experience to be able to lead our snr team and prepare it for the World Cup and with the possibility of having some of our US based college players being available to be part of the team, it will give John the opportunity to mould and form a competitive team and one to be respected Chairman Michael Ryan said.
John will hit the ground running, beginning with the selection of his coaching staff and then evaluating the talent that will be on show at the Gridiron Australia senior national championships being held in Melbourne April 10-16 this year.
“It is my plan to build an Australia wide network of people to help build a strong national program. We will find scouts, coaches, trainers, athletic coaches etc. All of which are needed to build a successful program”
For Further information or interviews please contact Head Coach John Leijten on 0405189214 or Chairman Michael Ryan on 04050649643
