NFL to open academy in Australia to identify and develop young prospects, eyes rugby talent like Mailata and Rees-Zammit
- New facility to open in September following summer recruitment camps in Australia and New Zealand
- Philadelphia Eagles’ Jordan Mailata deemed too big for rugby league, while Welsh wing Louis Rees-Zammit has signed for Kansas City Chiefs
The NFL will expand its international search for talent by opening an academy in rugby-mad Australia to develop promising teenagers in the Asia-Pacific region into college and pro prospects.
In an announcement on Thursday, the league said its NFL Academy would open in September for student athletes aged 12 to 18, following recruitment camps taking place this summer in Australia and New Zealand.
Ahead of the NFL Draft, which takes place on Friday morning Hong Kong Time, officials pointed to the talent in the region, such as Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Jordan Mailata, a 6ft 8 inch (2.08m) Australian who was deemed too big for rugby league.
“Football has changed my life, and opening an NFL Academy in Australia will no doubt help many more young people change theirs,” Mailata said.
The academy will be housed at A.B. Paterson College on the Gold Coast and the plans include construction of a high-performance facility on the college grounds – to be completed in 2026 – also available for community use.
Mailata, who came through the league’s International Player Pathway programme, will be on the Gold Coast to announce the Eagles’ first-round draft pick.