ORLANDO, Fla. (June 18, 2024) – The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) is proud to announce that they have appointed Austin Bradshaw as the new Executive Director for AAU Flag Football and 7-on-7 Football. Bradshaw has an impressive track record of success over the last 20 years running flag football leagues and tournaments across the country. This includes running the New England Flag Football League (NEFFL) as well as the Youth Flag Football World Championships, one of the largest flag football tournaments in the world.

“This marks a new and exciting development for our flag football and 7-on-7 football programs. Austin has shown he has what it takes to grow flag football across the country and we’re looking forward to seeing these sports grow under their guidance,” said AAU President Jo Mirza.

The multi-year appointment sees Bradshaw overseeing the organization and execution of nationwide AAU Flag Football and AAU 7-on-7 Qualifiers, leading into annual AAU National Championships and the AAU Junior Olympic Games.

“AAU is the industry leader in providing premier events whose quality is second-to-none,” said AAU Football National Chair Keith Noll. “We are excited to have Austin join our AAU team.”

Bradshaw serves as the president of NEFFL and Mass Flag, having run flag football tournaments for more than 20 years. He brings a wealth of flag football experience and tournament execution to the AAU.

Last year, the Youth Flag Football World Championships hosted over 600 teams and over 10,000 athletes at ESPN Wide World of Sports, with the event set to return and be even larger in 2025. Bradshaw helped organize 25 events last year that culminated in the massive tournament in Orlando.

“I am excited for the new opportunity to help grow the game of flag football at the youth level and to help unify the sport across all levels,” said Austin Bradshaw, newly appointed executive director of AAU Flag Football. “Along with the AAU President’s first order of business, we plan to introduce flag football to the AAU Junior Olympic Games as a recognized up and coming sport. Participation at AAU Nationals and AAU Junior Olympic Games will be through a qualification process. This promises to be the gold standard of events for years to come.”

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ABOUT THE AAU:
The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) is one of the largest, non-profit, volunteer sports organizations in the country. As a multi-sport organization, the AAU is dedicated exclusively to the promotion and development of amateur sports programs. Founded in 1888 to establish standards and uniformity in sports, the AAU philosophy of “Sports For All, Forever” is now shared by nearly 800,000 members and 150,000 volunteers across 45 sports programs and 55 U.S. districts. For more information, visit www.aausports.org.