Here comes the boom: Top American football coach predicts gridiron expansion in Australia

Gridiron is starting to work its way into the Australian sporting landscape and an elite coach is predicting more top-tier athletes to make the switch. Here’s why a boom period is on the way.

Coach Connor Brewster (right) is impressed with the level of gridiron talent in Australia. Picture: Damian Clark

Gridiron football is muscling its way onto Australia’s sporting landscape with a young coach leading the charge.

Despite fierce competition from established codes, 24-year-old Connor Brewster is creating new pathways for Aussie athletes to shine on the global stage.

“American Football Australia is doing a brilliant job promoting junior leagues,” said Brewster, who recently guided the Australian Outback under-20s at the IFAF World Cup in Canada this past June.

This grassroots focus is proving crucial for the sport’s future Down Under.

Two main routes have emerged for Australian players seeking higher-level competition.

Young athletes are scoring opportunities in American high schools and colleges, while more seasoned players are tackling European leagues.

“Several lads I used to play against are now in the GFL, the German Football League,” Brewster said.

“There’s definitely talent here. It’s just a matter of getting the coaching up to scratch.”

This gap presents both a challenge and an opportunity for the sport’s development in Australia.

One edge for Australian gridiron is its appeal to athletes considered oversized for other sports. These players often excel in lineman positions and find opportunities to play in the United States early on.

The national team’s success has opened doors for young Australian players.

Following the recent World Cup, where Australia notched a significant win against Panama, Brewster noted, “Seven or eight different blokes signed to colleges off that tournament.”

Sport culture indicates that Australia has potential to become a major player in international gridiron.

Coach Connor Brewster is impressed with the level of gridiron talent in Australia. Picture: Damian Clark

“Australia has top-tier athletic talent,” said Brewster.

“It’s just a matter of translating that into top-tier football talent.”

The key lies in honing technical skills and boosting exposure to the game from a young age.

As more Australian players gain experience overseas and return home, hopes are high they’ll contribute to the sport’s domestic growth.

“When those guys come back, will they help promote the sport? I reckon they will,” said Brewster with a hint of reassurance.

While the current gridiron season in Australia spans only a few months, some leading programs are extending their activities year-round.

This trend could pave the way for more comprehensive player development and potentially a semi-professional league in future.

Brewster’s rapid ascent in coaching ranks exemplifies the opportunities within Australian gridiron.

At just 24, he has already coached at national and international levels, including leading Queensland under-20s to a national championship and serving as the offensive co-ordinator for UNSW Raiders in their state championship victory.

“My absolute dream job is to be a Division 1 co-ordinator,” said Brewster, who has his eyes set on the pinnacle of American college football.

“I do plan on taking some steps in the next few years to try and start doing that.

“At the end of the day, on paper I’m a 24-year-old guy from Australia, you know what I mean?

“So I’ve got to do the hard yards over in Europe or America first to really prove myself.”