Sydney Uni American Football Club

Continuing the series profiling the Outback representatives, we asked James Gifford a series of questions about what the experience was like.

Name: James Gifford

Number: #72

Position: OL

Years playing at Lions:  2011 will be my 8th season.

Favourite Outback experience:  Running out on to the field as a captain, with the Australian flag in my hand, before playing the USA in the 1st round of the 2011 world cup.

Giff leading his country out of the tunnel as captain

Favourite non football memory of the trip: Having a drink with both the US centres at a night club after they won the gold medal against Canada. The US team chanted “Aussie Aussie Aussie” as we went up to accept our 8th place trophy.

Favourite Lions experience:  Winning the 2010 Waratah bowl convincingly and being awarded the game MVP as part of the Lions Offensive line.

Giff has incredible athleticism to go with his size. When combined with his disciplined technique, he is the anchor of the offensive line.

How the Lions helped you get where you are:  The Lions are a team built on technique and hard work. Without the solid grounding and football fundamentals I received from my Lions coaches, I would not have been able to pick up schemes at the state and national levels as easily. Though the team continuing to strive to be the benchmark for gridiron in this country, Lions players are able to make the transition to the next level with confidence in their ability.