Back in April, 2009 we wrote about how Costa Rica was forming the Costa Rica Federation of American Football (FCFA) – since then, the game is becoming more popular with its 3rd season. For more info, contact Cody Gear at 321-218-9209 or via email at codygear (at) codylgearandassociates dot com.
Costa Rica has also been invited to the World Cup of American Football to be held in Mexico City July 13-20th, 2012
American football is alive and well in Costa Rica. This year the league completed its third year. The season which went from February to June culminated in the third championship being won by the Santa Ana Bulldogs. This is the second year that the Bulldogs have won the championship.
Many don’t know that a league exist here in Costa Rica much less that it has enjoyed success and growth over the past three years. The teams are predominantly comprised of Costa Ricans but there are many expats that participate as well. The Costa Ricans are learning the game and each year show steady improvement. The league is fortunate to have a number of qualified coaches but we are always looking for new blood.
Not only coaches but players as well. Currently we have need of quarterbacks, receivers and lineman. Virtually every position is open to competition. We are also need referees that have previous high school or college experience. The games are called using the rules and regulations of the NCAA.
This weekend, July 23-24 will witness the inaugural National Selection football tournament that is comprised exclusively by the national selection team. All members of the National Selection team must be Costa Rican citizens. This is the first time in the history of Costa Rica that a team made up of Costa Ricans will represent their country against teams from the United States, El Salvador and Nicaragua in American style football.
The first game is scheduled to kick off at 4:00PM on Friday, July 23rd with the second game scheduled at 8 PM. The winners of the games on Friday advance to a championship game at 8 PM on Saturday July the 24th.
The National selection team has been practicing as a unit for the past 6 weeks in preparation for this weekend’s games. Some of the standouts include Ignacio Watson, who rushed for over a 1,000 yards and scored 14 touchdowns during the regular season. He will be joined by members from the Santa Ana Bulldogs who won the FCRAF Trophy as the Champions for the 2011 season.
Recently during the Fourth of July celebration held in Escazu, there were many Expats who had no idea that there was a league or that there was a tournament this weekend. During the celebrations flyers were passed out by members of the coaching informing folks about the league and the tournament.
The league is currently comprised of six teams and looking to expand. The six teams are the raptors, Bulldogs, Rhynos, Dragons, Sharks and Toros.
Anyone interested in playing, coaching or refereeing should contact Cody Gear at 321-218-9209 or via email at codygear (at) codylgearandandassociates dot com and for additional teams, schedules, and country info go to Costa Rica American Football Association (ACFA).
Cody, that means is not a real World Cup, because the IFAF is the main organization in the world! like the FIFA for soccer, and if they are not involve is not official.
you may have several organizations in all the countries, but only one have the government approval and only one is member of the PAFAF and IFAF, great example is the FEFA, the Costa Rica Federation, acepted for all the organizations, national and internationals, because the FEFA follow all the regulations and laws.
Please review with your contact the info published! they lie! the World Cup was a few days ago in Vienna and next one will be in 4 years! and is not invitation for any Country, need to qualify!
http://www.ifaf.info/pages/competition/senior
Clarification – From Cody:
I just realized that the IFAF has a “World Championship” and has done so for a while. Our competition will be in Mexico City and is the inaugural “World *Cup* of American Football” and will be the first one ever held. Thus the IFAF is not part of this competition. This event is by invitation only and
will be a similar format as the “World Cup” for soccer.
Wanted to make a clarification: the Federation of American Football in Costa Rica is known as the FEFACR and is regulated by the ICODER (Institucion Costarricense de Deporte y Recreacion). I appreciate this info on a great sport and that it is being promoted in the way in it is here in Costa Rica. Thank you for this article, we appreciate all the support.
Thank You Bulldog for the Clarification!