IFAF: Tuomas Heikkinen replaces Marshall as Team World head coach

The International Federation of American Football has selected TUOMAS HEIKKINEN from Finland as the new Head Coach of the IFAF World Team.

The current head coach of the Finland national team will take charge of the IFAF World Team that will face USA Football’s U.S. National Team in 2013 in the fourth annual International Bowl.

Entering its fourth year, the IFAF World Team program is an elite international player and coach development program designed to provide an opportunity for the world’s top players and coaches to further their development and showcase the game’s worldwide growth.

Heikkinen, who hails from the Finnish capital Helsinki, was the IFAF World Team defensive backs coach in 2011 and in 2012 for the historic 35-29 win over Team USA. He has won three European Championships and eight national championships as a coach or player. The five-time Coach of the Year in Finland was inducted into the SAJL (Finnish American Football Federation) Hall of Fame in 2008.

“Naturally I am delighted that IFAF has selected me and entrusted this great program and team into my care,” said Heikkinen. “The International Bowl is a fantastic event and the best young players from around the world are exposed to an invaluable week of coaching and an intense football experience.

“I have some big shoes to fill and the expectations for this team will be high since we have beaten the USA and will have to prove we have what it takes to defend the International Bowl.”

Heikkinen takes over from Canadian Greg Marshall, whose two-year tenure as head coach ended in spectacular fashion as his IFAF World Team held on despite a late USA comeback to inflict the first-ever defeat on the U.S. National Team in Austin, Texas, in February. Jan Jenmert from Sweden was the inaugural IFAF World Team coach in 2010.

Heikkinen was appointed after IFAF received nominations for coaching positions from their member federations around the world. Heikkinen’s coaching staff will be announced in the coming weeks and player nominations are currently being submitted by nations from within the 64-country strong IFAF community.