The IFAF Development Team is all about improvement and education. It brings together 60 of the top international junior football players in order provide them with some of the best instruction in the world.

Eight of the Development Team athletes will be selected to round out the final World Team roster and participate in the 2012 International Bowl against the U.S. Under-19 National Team.

Sebastian Nilsson, a Swedish offensive lineman for the Development Team, is enthusiastic about the opportunity to play alongside the World Team as they prepare for the International Bowl.

"It's been really awesome practicing with the World Team and playing on the top level. It feels like we're superstars here," said Nilsson.

Nilsson and his Development teammates, who hail from 16 different countries, are receiving comprehensive training. They're gaining knowledge of specific football strategies and physical skills. They're also gaining exposure to the rigors of training and competing at the highest junior levels.

"I've learned a lot about how to prepare myself for the game and I've learned a whole new playbook. It's been a really good experience," said Nilsson. "I'm learning more about the spread offense. There is a lot more variety here that I haven't learned before. It's a lot of fun to try to different blocks."

Nilsson credits the IFAF coaching staff, who've assembled in Austin to work with both the World and Development Teams, with the improvements he's made so far this week.

"The coaches are helping me a lot. They're very good teachers and I've learned a lot from them," Nilsson explained. "They're really good guys and they're easy to talk to."

Nilsson has set specific goals that he hopes to achieve during his time in Austin. As an offensive lineman, he hopes to improve his speed and technique at the line.

"My biggest goal is to get faster, because I'm not the biggest player here," Nilsson said. "My goal is to be fast and stay low on my blocks."

Whether Nilsson will be among the Development Team players chosen to fill the final World Team spots remains to be determined, but either way, Nilsson will take much from his experiences in Austin.

Nilsson plays for the Örebro Black Knights in Sweden, as well as the Swedish National Team. In fact, he was selected to be the Swedish Junior National Team's captain for the 2011 European Junior Championships. When he returns to Sweden, he will be bringing a new self-assuredness with him.

"When I go home, I'll be more secure in my playing and more confident. Being one of the top players in the world is a big confidence booster," Nilsson said.
For the future, Nilsson hopes for a lengthy career in football.

"Hopefully, I'll go to a good college and hopefully I will be able to make a living playing football. That's my dream," said Nilsson.

No matter where he's playing football-whether it's with the Development Team this week, his club team in Sweden or with a future college team-Nilsson will never stop striving to improve his skills and understanding of the game.

"I hope to improve everything. You can never be a perfect football player," Nilsson said.