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Australia finds a training camp home in Ashland, Ohio
This story was originally published on the Ashland University website
Ashland, Ohio, is a long way from home for the Australia Men’s National Team.
The Australians, however, are feeling more at home in the confines of Jack Miller Stadium, Martinelli Field and Ashland University every day.
Australia, which is training at Ashland, is one of seven countries participating in the 2015 International Federation of American Football (IFAF) World Championship at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio. Its first game is noon ET Thursday, July 9, vs. South Korea. The gold, bronze and fifth-place games are July 18.
“We’re very happy to be here in Ashland,” Australia head coach John Leijten said. “Great facilities for us. In Australia, there’s nothing like this – a weight room like this, the field turf, the meeting rooms that we have are excellent. This is a great environment for us to have our training camp. The food has been great here on campus, as well.”
“The facilities are unreal,” wide receiver Tyson Garnham said. “There’s not that many football-based facilities in Australia. It’s exciting to be at an American college, where the No. 1 thing here is football. It’s still hard on the body, coming straight off a 30-hour journey in total, but it’s exciting.”
In previous IFAF World Championship appearances, Australia went 0-4 in 2011 and 1-2 in 1999.
Garnham, who was Australia’s all-purpose leader four years ago with 366 yards in four games, said of playing for his country, “I want to represent the country as many times as I can. This sport’s been great to me. To represent the country and play overseas is great. It gives a lot of people in Australia a goal to work towards.”
“I’ve looked forward to it for the last four years,” Said linebacker Brad Bennett, who led Australia in total tackles (20) and blocked a kick in 2011. “It’s what I play for. I love representing Australia, putting on the green and gold. It’s the ultimate in Australia.”
All tournament games are being held in the stadium alongside the Pro Football Hall of Fame – an honor not lost on the Australians.
“Just to immerse ourselves in the culture of American football there and to be able to learn about the history,” Bennett said, “it should be exciting.”
