Ambrosie secures four more international deals for CFL
Canadian Football League commissioner Randy Ambrosie put the cap on a productive European tour Thursday by announcing deals with federations in Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland.
The latest agreements, hammered out during a meeting in Helsinki, are similar to those signed previously with Austria, France, the German Football League and Mexico’s Liga de Futbol Americano Profesional. They contain pledges to grow the game, provide opportunities for graduating Canadian university and junior players to play abroad and for Nordic athletes to chase CFL careers, and to facilitate exchanges that develop coaches, officials and medical personnel.
However, for various reasons there will be a select few Nordic players at the international combine set for Toronto in late March. The German Football League and French American Football Federation have already committed to sending a group of top players to Toronto, while Austrian officials said their schedule wouldn’t allow for it.
“Since our league starts in April it would be counterproductive to send players to the CFL combine,” acting chair of the Swedish federation Martin Soderberg said before his meeting with Ambrosie. “And the ones good enough (to play pro), if any, have probably signed contracts in the GFL or are still going to school in the U.S.”
Norway’s rep said his country doesn’t have enough pro prospects yet.
“At this time, it is more helpful for coaches on the federation and national team level to attend the CFL combine, in order to obtain benchmark information on what it takes,” said Jorgen Benestad-Johansen, Norway’s national team head coach.
There is more potential for players from Finland and Denmark to attend the first international combine.
“Top national team players are potential players for the CFL and we will encourage all of those that are in that range and able to attend to look into this opportunity,” said Roope Noronen, president of the American Football Association of Finland.
The deals Ambrosie signed are intended to be long-term and it will take time to build a base of global prospects.