Message from USA Revolution Head Coach Stef Barr

An Open Letter to the USAFL Community

To the players, coaches, and all who support the Revolution,

It is an honour to step into the role of Head Coach for the Men’s Revolution program. We have a
tremendous amount of talent across this country, and my mission is simple: To ensure the
Revolution represents the absolute best of American Australian Football.

As we look ahead, I want to bring total clarity to how we will approach selection and
development. Historically, the pathway into the national team hasn’t always felt clear, and in my
early discussions with players I have heard loud and clear that we need to make sure all players
understand our requirements to play for the Revolution. My goal is to simplify the pathway so
every player knows exactly where they stand and how to progress. And to do so, we will move
away from a participation-based model and toward a high-performance selection model,
while maintaining a structured development program and pathway to the flagship team.

A Clearer Structure: Two Tiers, One Goal

To support both elite performance and long‑term growth, we are organizing the men’s program
into two connected tiers.

1. The Revolution (Tier One) – National Representative Side
   This is our top national side, representing the highest standard of play in the country.
   • ● Selection Based on Performance: Selection for the Revolution will focus on the best
     talent we have available and on merit. We are watching your club games, talking with
     regional leaders, and reviewing your impact at Nationals.
     ● The Elite Standard: If you are among the best 24-30 players in America, you are a
     Revolution player. While availability and positional balance always factor into final
     squads, the foundation is simple: we want the best talent on the field for internationals,
     friendlies, and exhibition matches.
2. The Revolution Development Squad (Tier Two)
   This is our program’s engine room – a dedicated pipeline into the senior side.
   • ● A Coached Environment: This is not a “reserve” team. It is a structured development
     program with coaching, feedback, and resources designed to bridge the gap between
     club footy and international standards.
     ● The Pipeline: This tier is for the best and most promising club talent, aspiring to get
     selected to the Revolution, to showcase what they have to offer.

An Adjustment to how we view in-season camps.

Camps are now a resource for development and connection. They are the primary environment
where we build relationships, focus on individual skill-building, and equip our Development
Squad with the tools to take the next step. For our Tier 1 players, these camps are a resource,
not a requirement. For the Development Tier, these camps are the focal point of the program
and are strongly encouraged.

What’s Next?

We have an exciting month ahead, with our regional development camp to take place in St
Louis on May 2nd. I want to thank our development coach Rich Lozano for the work he and the
St Louis football club have already invested in making this a great weekend for our Revo &
Freedom players.

Selection discussions for our upcoming game against Canada on August 29th are underway.
My coaching staff and I will continue connecting with regional leaders and clubs throughout the
season. We intend to announce our squad of 30 on May 15th.

I cannot wait to take this step forward. Together, we will deliver the best football product this
country has to offer while continuing to invest in the future of our Revos.

Stef Barr Head Coach, USAFL Men’s Program