Sport and snacks might already sound like a match made in heaven, but roll it into a day of friendly cross-cultural competition in the midst of the Vintage Festival, and it will be hard to beat as one of the more unique offerings in this year’s line-up.
Highlighting The Barossa Council’s relationship with sister city, Grapevine, Texas, ‘Touchdown & Taste Off’ will combine an American Football exhibition match with American and German cuisine, and fun half time activities, including a beer and wine Barossa vs. Grapevine ‘blind tasting’.
American Football South Australia has been invited to present the exhibition match, in what will be a great opportunity for the organisation to showcase the sport they love to a new audience.
President, Ernesto Covino summed up the game for those who may not know their touchdowns from tackles.
“American Football is chess played with human beings,” he said.
“It’s one of those sports where it doesn’t matter what size you are, whether you’re big or small, there’s always a position for you to play in that field.”
Expect to see some expert plays, with the South Australian men’s state team, the Sharks, set to split into two teams for the Vintage Festival game.
“Some of them will be wearing South Australia Sharks uniform, the others should be wearing uniforms that say ‘Oilers’ on them, which is pretty ironic because Texas is massive for oil anyway!” said Ernesto.
Sometimes referred to as the sport of ‘gridiron’ Ernesto explained that in actual fact, that term refers to the field on which American Football is played.
“We have been called gridiron for some time in the past in Australia – we’re one of only one or two countries in the world that call it gridiron, so we’re looking now to more promote the fact it’s called American Football,” he said.
“There’s two versions of American Football, you’ve got ‘tackle’, which is the full contact, helmet, shoulder pads, everything you’ll be seeing at the Vintage Festival. And the competition that is coming to the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028 is five-a-side flag football… a non-contact version of the sport.”
Those trademark shoulder pads and helmets we all identify as synonymous with American sporting culture will be on full display on April 24 at Barossa Rugby Precinct, Tanunda as Touchdown & Taste Off entertains and inspires, with the support of Barossa Rams Rugby Club and Tanunda Primary School Parents and Friends.
