The Board of IFAF has been advised over growth strategy at its recent meeting in London ©IFAF

Mark Egan, the former competitions director of World Rugby, underlined the importance of developing a robust competitions framework when he addressed the Board of the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) in London.

Egan, whose roles have included overseeing qualifying pathways for rugby sevens' debut appearance at the Olympic Games at Rio 2016, was a key speaker in the three-day meeting as he advocated building on the current international cycle, which will include the biggest-ever IFAF Flag Football World Championships in Lahti, Finland, in 2024.

The Board, meeting at the National Football League's European headquarters in Leicester Square, also heard from Jon Long, managing director of sports sponsorship consultancy Onside, which is working with IFAF to build a rights portfolio around future properties.

Overall, the meeting was an opportunity to assess progress against IFAF's development strategy and its four pillars - serve, inspire, grow and compete - which aim to provide a framework for a new era in the federation's history.

Former World Rugby competitions director Mark Egan, left, and Pierre Trochet, President of the International Federation of American Football, pictured at the IFAF Board meeting in London ©IFAF
Former World Rugby competitions director Mark Egan, left, and Pierre Trochet, President of the International Federation of American Football, pictured at the IFAF Board meeting in London ©IFAF

Flag football Is one of nine sports shortlisted for inclusion in the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028, and IFAF is seeking to strengthen the sport's presence throughout the global sports movement, following the appearance of the discipline at the World Games in 2022.

IFAF is the international governing body for the sport, is provisionally recognised by the International Olympic Committee and has 72 member nations across five continents.

Other subjects on the Board's agenda in London included broadcast strategy and organisational structures.

IFAF President Pierre Trochet said: "This meeting has been a valuable chance to reaffirm our priorities for 2023 - a year that promises transformational growth for our sport and federation.

"American football is enjoying explosive popularity around the world, underpinned by the exponential rise in flag football participation.

"As a Board, it is crucial we keep our eye on the ball in ensuring our structures are robust and scalable to accommodate rising demand, including at the elite international level."

IFAF vice-president Scott Hallenbeck added: "This is a huge year in the international development of American football, with the emphasis on continental performance pathways.

"It's so exciting to look ahead to a packed calendar of regional competition, starting with the IFAF Americas Flag Football Championship, which we at USA Football are looking forward to hosting in North Carolina in July.

"Working with experts such as Mark Egan we are determined to ensure such events lay the foundation for best-in-class international competition frameworks."

The full American football family, comprising 72 IFAF members, will meet in Paris for the federation's Congress in October.