IFAF Committees - International Federation of American Football

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IFAF Committees

IFAF Committees

IFAF's committees play a vital role in shaping the governance, development, and integrity of the sport at the global level.

Comprising experts, stakeholders, and athlete representatives, these committees provide strategic guidance, develop policies and regulations, oversee key operational areas, and ensure that the federation’s activities uphold the highest standards of fairness, safety, excellence, and ethical practice.

Through collaboration and evidence-based decision-making, the committees support sustainable growth, protect athlete welfare, and strengthen the global football community.

IFAF Athlete Committee

The IFAF Athlete Committee represents the voice, interests, and welfare of athletes at the heart of the game. Committed to fairness, safety, and opportunity, the Committee works to ensure that athlete perspectives inform decision-making, promote athlete rights and well-being, and strengthen the integrity, inclusivity, and sustainability of football worldwide

Diana Flores

Chair

Biography:

Diana Flores is the Captain and Quarterback of Mexico’s World Champion National Flag Football team, a global sports ambassador for both the NFL and IFAF, and Chair of the IFAF Athletes’ Committee. A two-time gold medalist at The World Games, she has earned multiple international podium finishes across IFAF World Championships and has represented Mexico’s national team for over 13 years as its starting quarterback and leader.

Diana sits on the IFAF Board.

IFAF Integrity Unit

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Janie Soubliere

Lead Officer

Biography:

Bio

IFAF Medical Committee

The IFAF Medical Committee serves as a vital advisory body dedicated to safeguarding athlete health, promoting medical excellence, and advancing evidence-based practices across international sport. By bringing together leading medical experts, researchers, and practitioners, the Committee develops policies, supports education, and guides innovation to ensure the highest standards of care, injury prevention, and ethical medical governance for the game worldwide.

Dr. David Patterson

Chair

Biography:

Doctor Nolte served as Team Doctor for the German Olympic team in Athens 2004, London 2012 and Rio 2016

Dr. Joseph Giaimo

Biography:

Dr. Joseph A. Giaimo is board certified as
a Master Fellow in Pulmonary, Internal
and Sleep medicine. He has been in solo
private practice for more than 35
years.  During that time, Dr. Giaimo
served in the US Naval Reserves.  He was
deployed to Italy, Jacksonville and San
Diego and served with Mobile Naval Fleet
hospital and board various ships.  He
recently served as President of the
American Osteopathic Association
representing more than 200K physicians
globally.

Dr. James Lally

Biography:

Doctor Lally serves as team physician for the USA Shooting Team and is its Immediate Past President of the Board and is Chairman of the Medical Committee of the International Shooting Sports Federation as well as a member of the International Olympic Medical Commission.

Dr. Sally Arnot

Biography:

Department of Exercise Science, University of South Carolina.
Doctor Arnot has supported the USA Shooting team through World Cups, CAT games, national matches, Pan American competitions, and two Olympics Games – London in 2012 and Tokyo 2020. She is also part of the ISSF Medical Committee.

Professor Sinead Harney

Biography:

Graduated from UCG in 1994 and did her specialist training in Rheumatology and General Medicine in Dublin. She completed her final training in Oxford in 2005 and was awarded a DPhil by thesis titled “Major Histocompatibility Genetics of Rheumatoid Arthritis”. Professor Harney joined the rheumatology team in CUH in 2005 as a rheumatology consultant. She completed a Masters in Sports and Exercise Medicine in UCC in 2007. Her research interests include the Genetics of inflammatory arthritis and occult cardiovascular disease in Rheumatoid Arthritis. She is a board member of the TUE committee of the Irish Sports Council.

Dr. Zakia Bartagi

Biography:

She is the Director of the Tunisian National Anti-Doping Agency and has many years of experience in sports medicine and anti-doping. Notably, she served on numerous medical commissions across different sports, including multiple World Championships. She also works with the ITA TUE Committee.

IFAF Nominations Committee

The IFAF Election Nominations Committee is responsible for ensuring a fair, transparent, and merit-based process for the nomination and selection of candidates for leadership roles within the federation. It oversees eligibility criteria, reviews and validates nominations, promotes diversity and integrity in governance, and upholds ethical standards throughout the election process. By safeguarding impartiality and accountability, the Committee helps maintain trust in the federation’s leadership and democratic structures.

Jason Robinson

Chair

Member since 2024

Term of office:

4 Years

Marie Jamet

Member since 2024

Biography:

Bio

Term of office:

4 years

Neal Lachmany

Member since 2024

Term of office:

4 years

IFAF Statutes Committee

The IFAF Statutes Committee is responsible for overseeing the development, review, and interpretation of the federation’s Statutes. It ensures that the organisation’s legal and regulatory documents remain clear, compliant, and aligned with local law, international standards, best practice, and the federation’s strategic objectives. By strengthening transparency, accountability, and good governance, the Committee supports the effective and sustainable operation of the federation worldwide. The IFAF Board Lead for the Committee is Eric Mayes.

Neal Lachmany

Chair

Biography:

Bio

Marie Jamet

Biography:

Bio

IFAF GEDI Committee

The IFAF Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee works to ensure that sport within the federation is fair, accessible, and representative of all people. It promotes equal opportunities regardless of gender, background, ability, or identity, advises on inclusive policies and governance, and supports initiatives that break down barriers to participation, leadership, and success. By championing respectful, safe, and equitable environments, the Committee helps strengthen the integrity, social impact, and global reach of the sport.

Phoebe Schecter

Chair

Biography:

Bio

IFAF Entourage Committee

The IFAF Entourage Committee focuses on the people who support athletes—such as coaches, agents, medical staff, family members, and other support personnel—and ensures their influence on athletes and sport is ethical, responsible, and aligned with athlete welfare.

Nausicaa Dell ‘Orto

Chair

IFAF Rules Committee - Flag Football

The IFAF Rules Committee is responsible for developing, maintaining, and interpreting the game rules that govern the sport of Flag Football at the international level.

Sebastian Sudholt

Chair

Biography:

Bio

IFAF Rules Committee - Tackle Football

The IFAF Rules Committee is responsible for developing, maintaining, and interpreting the game rules that govern the sport of Tackle Football at the international level.

Professor Jim Briggs

Chair

Biography:

Bio

IFAF Committees Gender

IFAF Committees Continents