The International Federation of American Football (IFAF) has announced a new partnership with the Ann Craft Trust – a leading authority on safeguarding adults and young people – to enhance best practice and ensure the welfare and wellbeing of athletes within American football. The multi-year agreement will boost safeguarding policies and procedures across IFAF and its more than 70 member federations, leading to the delivery of a robust framework that aims to protect players and promote safer inclusion in all areas of the game from grassroots to the elite level.   As industry leaders in safeguarding, the Ann Craft Trust, which also works with UK Sport, the umbrella body for performance sport in the UK, will oversee the development and delivery of a bespoke training and education programme for IFAF’s member federations. By creating a consistent framework across the organisation that is benchmarked against best-in-class standards, IFAF and the Ann Craft Trust can better protect those that play the sport.    Following a detailed audit of existing safeguarding policies and infrastructure, the Ann Craft Trust will assist IFAF in implementing a new safeguarding framework, as well as delivering the necessary tools, training and resources for member federations to utilise. A series of online and in-person seminars rolling out the new policy, including at the upcoming IFAF Congress in Paris in November, will also take place.    Supporting the development of its member federations in this key area of governance is a core component of IFAF’s wider strategic development strategy, whose four pillars – Serve, Inspire, Grow, Compete – underpin the organisation’s vision for the future. It comes at a time of transformational growth for the sport and federation as American football enjoys explosive popularity around the world, underpinned by the exponential rise in flag football participation.  IFAF President, Pierre Trochet, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with the industry leading experts at the Ann Craft Trust on this vital area of governance. Providing a safe, inclusive and welcoming sport is paramount and a key element of our global development strategy. The American football family worldwide is experiencing unprecedented growth. It is crucial that we remain relentlessly focused on ensuring we have world-class governance structures and policies in place to secure the welfare and wellbeing of our players at all times and at all levels of the game.” Ann Craft Trust CEO, Stuart Sale, added:  “We are delighted to be working with IFAF to help develop its safeguarding practice both at the Federation level and across the broader Member Federation network. Both IFAF and the Ann Craft Trust share a commitment to the safe inclusion of everyone to play and enjoy their sport and this partnership is clear evidence of that. We look forward to seeing the progress within American football as the game grows in popularity and attracts new audiences.”  Photo courtesy of the Egyptian Federation of American Football (EFAF)