Gridiron South Africa (Gridironrsa) was founded in the year 2015 to be built towards being the governing and administration body of American Football and to introduce and develop the sport, which is a new sporting code, in South Africa. The uniqueness of the sporting code in South Africa has prepared us to anticipate possible difficulties we would face and this meant that an enthusiastic team working from emerge, development to professional launch phases would be the major contributor in our success. This will not however be a reality without the relevant partnerships, participation and sponsors who will contribute time and resources for interest in development, education and passion in sport.
We have chosen to align our mission with that of the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) to include environmental health education that will extend resources towards the success of the communities and innovative contributions in the future. The time it will take to reach maximum participation, professional levels and quality staff will depend on youth participation, partnerships created and the initiation without such resources will forever ensure that at no point will it cease to exist because of the lack thereof.
The organisation aims to be recognised and certified as the National Federation of American Football in South Africa and be a prime player in the improvement of education, sporting, social and economic affairs in our communities
We are currently operating from Tsakane in the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan, East of Johannesburg, South Africa. We have also engaged coordinators for the creation of provincial councils and new clubs in Cape Town (Western Cape) and Witbank (Mpumalanga) as part of our plans to expand our footprint to the rest of the country.
To be recognised in South Africa as a sports body in governance, relations and administration of American Football from development to professional levels of participation while providing positive social, educational and environmental education opportunities for all participating communities through partnerships and relations that will provide for the required resources and inspiration.
Our vision is a South African National team participating nationally and internationally, including the Olympics 2020, in American Football with players, coaches and officials selected from teams that participate in leagues of varying levels administered and managed by the organisation, and continuous partnerships from government, business corporations, existing national & international sports bodies and the public.
The organisation is guided by the following values contributed to and motivated by the founding team: -TEAMWORK -RESPECT (From our directors to our players) (For ourselves & each other) -HONESTY -INTEGRITY (High regard for the truth) (Sincerity in our actions) -COMMITMENT -EXCELLENCE (To serve our communities) (All work to the highest standards) -DIVERSITY -HUMILITY (Encourage and embrace differences) (Being humble at all times)