🏈 Rabbitohs Announce New Partnership with American Football Australia

The South Sydney Rabbitohs are proud to announce a new partnership with American Football Australia (AFA), supporting Australia’s top flag football athletes as they prepare for a historic period of international competition.

Flag football - one of the world’s fastest-growing sports, was recently confirmed as part of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, marking a major milestone for the sport globally. With participation booming across Australia, the Rabbitohs are excited to help accelerate its growth at both community and elite levels.

Australia’s men’s and women’s national squads have both qualified for the 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championships in Germany next August. Through this new partnership, the teams will utilise the world-class facilities at the USANA Rabbitohs Centre in Maroubra as their centralised training hub, supporting their preparation for Dusseldorf and their pursuit of qualification for the LA 2028 Olympics.

The collaboration also includes key events, beginning with the AFA Final Talent ID on 29 November 2025, hosted at the USANA Rabbitohs Centre to identify elite athletes for AFA’s 2026 high-performance program.

AFA CEO Wade Kelly said the partnership is a major step forward for the sport: “American Football Australia is thrilled to partner with the South Sydney Rabbitohs as our Olympic Flag Football squads prepare for the World Cup and look ahead to LA28,” Mr Kelly said.

“Centralising our teams at the Rabbitohs’ world-class USANA High Performance Centre gives our athletes the ideal environment to train and perform.

“The Rabbitohs’ strong community values and proud legacy in Australian sport align closely with the spirit of flag football, and we’re excited to take this next step together.” Rabbitohs CEO, Blake Solly, said the club is excited to play a meaningful role in the sport’s growth.

“We’re thrilled to welcome American Football Australia to the USANA Rabbitohs Centre as they prepare for an exciting two years ahead,” Mr Solly said.

“With flag football set for its Olympic debut in 2028, this partnership comes at the perfect time. We’re proud to support Australia’s athletes on the world stage and look forward to working closely with AFA on their journey to the 2026 World Championships and beyond.”

The Rabbitohs are proud to support the rise of flag football in Australia and the athletes striving to represent the nation at the highest level.

TALENT ID DAY

Australia has successfully qualified for the 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championships to be held in August in Germany. This marks the next milestone for our Olympic squad pathway to LA 2028.

AFA are hosting a final talent ID day in search of Australia’s elite athletic talent to join the centralised 2026 High Performance program in Sydney in 2026.

If you think you have what it takes to be an elite flag football player for Australia, register your interest today.