Retired and delisted AFL footballers will have the chance to earn an American Football college scholarship through a new partnership between the AFL Players’ Association and Prokick Australia.
All players who leave the AFL system after the 2013 season will be invited to a special combine, where former AFL and NFL athlete Nathan Chapman will assess their adaptability to the American code.
There is an opportunity for participants to trial in punting, defensive (tight end) and receiver positions. Anyone with the tools to make the transition will be invited to enroll in the full Prokick program, with a view to secure placement in a college program within 12 to 18 months.
Prokick was established in 2006 by Chapman and has since placed more than 30 young Aussies in elite college football programs in the United States, including former Melbourne rookie Cameron Johnston (Ohio State) and former Brisbane and Port Adelaide midfielder Scott Harding (Hawaii).
Chapman believes the athleticism and skill-set of AFL footballers makes them an attractive proposition for a college football program.
“To play AFL football or even be on a list you need to be elite at something, therefore it is likely one of these skills will be adaptable to a role on a college football roster. We have had great success with placing punters over the past seven years and I think there will be more guys like Scott Harding who have success beyond the special teams roster,” Chapman said.
“What guys need to realise is that you don’t have to be the biggest kick on the team to make it, we will make you the biggest kick.”
The enormity of college football is not fully recognised yet in Australia and Chapman says the scale of the college world is something that shocks his pupils when they step into it.
“It’s big time. Prokick is not is not about the NFL, the college world presents more than enough opportunities. These kids play in front of more than 100 thousand fans most weeks, they train in elite facilities and get a free education on top of that.”
AFL Players’ Association Alumni Manager Brad Fisher says it was a simple decision to partner with Prokick and promote such an opportunity for players leaving the game.
“The sporting opportunities aside, a college scholarship to study basically whatever they like is huge. These kids go over and have an amazing life experience and return with a degree. Particularly for the guys who are in their early 20s and are unlikely to get back into the AFL system, they’ve got nothing to lose. It’s onwards and upwards.” Fisher said.
To register retired or delisted AFL players should contact Nathan Chapman at info@prokickaustralia.com by November 1.
The free screening will occur on December 11 from 8AM to 4PM.
Click here for more details.
@scotthardingUH announcement coming. Their opportunity to do so is coming shortly after a great initiative with @AFLPlayers and @ProkickAus
— Prokick Australia (@ProkickAus) October 1, 2013