Letter from Revolution Coach Tom Ellis

Thank you USAFL,

I want to thank all of the USAFL for the honor of leading the USA National Australian Rules Football team, the American Revolution. 

I put on the Revolution jumper on for the first time in 2000 in Toronto for the 49th Parallel Cup.  I went on to play in the next 2 International Cups representing the USA.  To put on a uniform that has the American flag on the front and to play against another country is something words cannot describe.  It truly is something you dream of as a kid.  To live out that dream is amazing, and now to lead this group as the Head Coach is the greatest honor.

I want to thank all the players of past for the sacrifices they made to be part of the Revolution.  To the players that tried out and did not make it: you pushed those that did. 

To the Coaches that gave so freely of their time and effort: you will never be thanked enough for the effort.  I hope I can make you proud. 

All the people behind the scenes do so much to make the day to day planning happen.   The leadership inside the USAFL takes the passion we all have for this game to make it the best run league.   When you look at the people that have made USAFL part of their lives, it is amazing.  

To all the clubs that work so hard to build their teams: every club has been a big part of the American Revolution.  You are the life blood.   You have taught so many Americans this great game and the passion to play it.  It is a blessing to have such great coaches and ambassadors of the game across the country.  You have all been amazing. 

I will tell you that we can win the next International Cup in 2017.   But it will take a lot of help.  From every club, coach, president, down to the newest member of each club, to make it happen.  We need help and I will be reaching out to you all.  We as a league have the opportunity to do something that has never been done.  We will bring the cup home.

Over the next 2 years you will be hearing from me often.   When you hear me say "we" I am not talking about the Revolution.  I am talking about the USAFL.  WE must do everything we can to make the Revolution as good as it can be.  WE have a great opportunity in front of us.  I promise you I will give you everything I have to make it happen.

WE are the American Revolution.

Tom Ellis
Revolution Head Coach