Brazil makes its IFAF U20s World Junior Championships debut in Canada next month, becoming the first South American nation to compete in the sixth edition of the tournament.
The newcomers will be thrust into the spotlight on Saturday, June 22, when they open against hosts and defending champions Canada at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, kickoff 5pm local time. Either European powerhouse Austria or Canada 2 lies in wait on Wednesday, June 26.
“We will have a positive mentality and a serious commitment to personal and collective growth to ensure that the team is ready to compete,” says head coach Adan Rodrigues. “We will represent Brazil with pride and excellence and be sure that after this process, everyone has become a better athlete and a better person.”
Coach Rodrigues has guided Brazil’s U20 fortunes for the past two years. Lining up as a wide receiver for the Coritiba Crocodiles, one of the most traditional and successful American football teams in Brazil, he has won the national championship three times and the state championship 10 times. As a coach, he has worked with the Crocodiles U20s since 2010, also becoming a national champion, and was the head coach of the state team in Parana, winning the national state team championship twice.
“I still hope to achieve more during my time as an athlete,” added Rodrigues. “The development of under-20 athletes in American football in Brazil faces several challenges. However, initiatives by the national team and specific projects have the potential to encourage not only young athletes, but also teams to pay greater attention to this age category.
“My philosophy for the Brazilian under-20 team is centered on the general development of the athletes, promoting resilience, team spirit, ethics and preparing in the best way for the World Championship in Canada.”
That preparation, which will come to fruition in Edmonton, has involved analyzing game film, taking recommendations from club coaches and holding tryouts. National pride will be among the drivers that spur Brazil on against the world.
“Brazil is a very large country, which makes it difficult to get the boys together to do one tryout, so we used every possible way to reach this group,” added Rodrigues.
“Everything will be new for everyone in the Brazilian delegation when we compete at the tournament, so we will certainly take advantage of the entire organization and structure of the event to become better.
“We will use the challenges we face as great motivation for players to do their best on the field and represent our country that we love so much.”
Tickets for single games, Canada Passes, and Tournament Passes are now on sale through TicketMaster and from the tournament website https://worldjrfootballchampionships.com.
2024 IFAF World Junior Championships Schedule Saturday, June 22 Commonwealth Stadium 12pm USA vs. Panama (Game 2) 5pm Canada vs. Brazil (Game 4) Clarke Stadium 11am Canada 2 vs. Austria (Game 1) 4pm Japan vs. Australia (Game 3) Wednesday, June 26 Commonwealth Stadium 12pm W2 vs. W3 5pm W1 vs. W4 Clarke Stadium 11am L2 vs. L3 4pm L1 vs. L4 Sunday, June 30 Commonwealth Stadium 12pm Bronze Medal Game 5pm Gold Medal Game Clarke Stadium 11am Seventh & Eighth Place Game 4pm Fifth & Sixth Place Game
Past winners and host cities 2009: Canton, Ohio, USA: United States 41, Canada 3 2012: Austin, Texas, USA: Canada 23, United States 17 2014: Kuwait City, Kuwait: United States 40, Canada 17 2016: Harbin, China: Canada 24, United States 6 2018: Mexico City, Mexico: Canada 14, Mexico 7
Photo: Confederação Brasileira de Futebol Americano
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