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There’s a new sense of expectation ahead for Australia
It all began July 2, 1999.
In the fourth quarter that day, quarterback David Ward threw an 11-yard TD pass to Scott Snowball, followed by a 27-yard field goal from Glenn Fenwick as Australia beat Finland, 10-7, to claim fifth place game at the IFAF World Championship.
Fast forward 16 years. Following a 12-year absence from the championships and a disappointing 2011 tournament, the Outback arrive in the United States looking to write another positive chapter.
The potential impact that this could have on the sport in Australia isn’t lost on offensive coordinator Paul Manera.
“Football in Australia will be judged on how well we perform at the World Championships,” Manera said.
“It would mean a lot for not just the team but also for our fans, the perception of American football and the Outback brand in Australia. This team has a chance to not only represent themselves but to also create a pathway for Aussies to follow.”
Drawing South Korea in the opening game as part of a revised pool system that dramatically levels the strength of schedule has changed everything for Australia. Head coach John Leijten knows it, too.
“This first game will set the tone for the tournament,” Leijten said.
“Based on what we know of South Korea, we should be able to compete with them. That’s also as far as we are looking at this point.”
READ MORE: About the Australian Men’s National Team at OutbackGridiron.com
South Korea’s surprising 28-20 loss to local side Seoul Kisan Golden Eagles only does more to help Australia believe it could win its first World Championship game since that Palermo afternoon in 1999.
Manera, however, believes that the heightened sense of expectation won’t play a significant factor in the team’s performance.
“It’s natural for some of our players to feel nervous for such a major tournament, but I do not think it’s going to affect the team,” Manera said.
“Good preparation is the key to success and also bonding together, working together as a team.”
While Australia hasn’t had many problems with that in the past, it has just more than a week upon arrival in Ohio to re-collaborate and manufacture some chemistry and momentum. Australia will train at nearby Ashland University before travelling to Canton for the July 9-18 tournament.
Both coaches recognize the lack of full squad training and quality competition as major weakness of the team, and the only way to measure progress is against South Korea – possibly the most important game in Australia’s history.
However, the major strength that both coaches identified is suitably contrary to this: The country’s ability to fight.
“I truly believe that our biggest strength as a nation is that we are fighters and give it everything we have come game day. We play and represent our country with pride,” Leijten said.
“We are all paying our own money to coach and play for our country, and that speaks volumes for our commitment,” Manera said.
How far commitment and pride carries the side remains to be seen, but the magnitude of what could be at stake should be enough as a reserve if it doesn’t.
“It only takes one performance that will strike the hearts of other Aussies and build momentum for a better future and culture for our sport down under,” Manera said.
Australia’s match against South Korea is noon Thursday, July 9, local time (2 a.m. July 10 AEST) on ESPN3. All IFAF World Championship games will be available at BigTimeSports.com 24 hours after their conclusion.
