The NFL is expanding its international search for talent by establishing an academy in rugby-loving Australia to nurture promising teenagers in the Asia-Pacific region into college and professional prospects. The NFL Academy is set to launch in September for student athletes aged 12 to 18, following recruitment camps in Australia and New Zealand this summer.
The region boasts talent like Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Jordan Mailata, a towering 6-foot-8 Australian who transitioned to football from rugby league due to his size. Mailata expressed his belief that the NFL Academy in Australia will positively impact the lives of many young individuals.
The academy will be based at A.B. Paterson College on the Gold Coast and will feature a high-performance facility on the college premises, slated for completion in 2026 and open for community use. Mailata, a product of the league's International Player Pathway program, will be present on the Gold Coast to announce the Eagles' first-round draft pick.
This move signifies the NFL's ongoing global expansion efforts, with plans to host eight international games each season following a December vote by NFL owners. The league's first regular-season game in Brazil is scheduled for September 6, featuring the Green Bay Packers against the Eagles. Additionally, the NFL will host multiple games in London and Germany in 2024, with Spain set to host its inaugural game in 2025 at Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
Building on the success of its UK academy, the NFL aims to tap into the Asia-Pacific region's athletic potential beyond just Australian punters. Athletes like New Zealand sprinter Eddie Osei-Nketia and Welsh rugby union star Louis Rees-Zammit have made transitions to American football, showcasing the diverse talent pool in the region.
The NFL Academy's first recruitment camp is scheduled for June 29 at A.B. Paterson College, followed by camps in Sydney on July 6 and Auckland, New Zealand on August 24. Brett Gosper, head of Europe and APAC with the NFL, emphasized the program's significance in fostering football development globally and providing authentic player pathways for international talent.
