I sport American football apparel during my Nashville performances, and fans from around the country have sent me shirts/hats to wear. No surprise. But from Papua New Guinea? Surprise! Here’s the backstory.
Here at the offices of the Global Gridiron, we have watched with fascination as the great game of American Football has taken root beyond its U.S. stronghold. But, even in our wildest dreams and hopes, we never really imagined that a league would hold sway in this far-away place–Papua New Guinea.
Mr. Timothy Jim
We know about Papua New Guinea thanks to the disappearance of a Rockefeller heir and the work of Robert Ripley, and we have also heard stories of cannibals and skull-shrinking in the jungles of this remote island nation. Now, though, forward-thinking community members are looking to football.
Meet Mr. Timothy Jim, founder, and president, Papua New Guinea American Football Federation. Jim learned the game while playing in the Philippines American Football League as a university student. With that experience, he was determined to teach the sport to his people, and he had several community-centered goals in mind. He wants to use American Football to encourage clean and ethical sportsmanship.
Go to http://pngamericanfootball.com/
Jim’s work hasn’t gone unnoticed–either there or here. He received interest from the HISPRINT Ministries in Houston in the form of two large containers of football equipment, including helmets, balls, pads, and shoes. Jim will use that equipment to develop his nation’s first professional circuit called the K League.
I’ve also joined the support troops. I’m a Nashville, Tennessee-based musician who promotes football by wearing colorful and fashionable apparel while performing. I’ll start wearing apparel from Papua New Guinea because Jim’s league has rolled out a sweet line of schwag while also significantly revamping their online presence with a sleek website launch you can find here.
I believe there’s a lot more than can be done. One idea I suggested was for league founders to reach out to American universities to encourage faculty/students to study PNG’s unique biology, flora, and fauna while receiving hands-on training from Division 1 football alumni. Universities interested in establishing a partnership with Jim should reach out to discuss possibilities.
“That would be an absolutely massive honor to have former college and pro footballers visit us and develop our young talent to become players,” Jim enthused enthusiastically. ” PNG players bring intensity because they are born with rugby, one of the most brutal and physical sports globally. That same intensity will be brought to the football field. PNG boys love to hit hard, and American football will be so much fun for them!”
Proud to wear PNG-AFF apparel!
So, there, fans, you heard it first here. American football and Papua New Guinea … a match.
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