AFL Talent Combine Returns to the USA

The USAFL is pleased to announce the second AFL USA International Combine will be conducted in Los Angeles from Sunday April 14 to Tuesday April 16. Seventeen athletes from universities across the country will showcase their talents during the three-day event.

The combine is an opportunity for elite American athletes to join an AFL club and represent America in Australia’s largest and most popular sport. Testing performances at the combine will determine which athletes will be selected to advance to the AFL Combine.  The AFL Combine will be held in Melbourne, Australia in late September 2013.

Attending the combine will be AFL International Talent Manager Kevin Sheehan, AFL Academy Development Manager Michael Ablett and former Sydney Swans player and current International Talent Coordinator Tadhg Kennelly.

USA Revolution National Team Coach Matt Bishop, USA Revolution Development Squad Coach Dan Sarbacker and several AFL club recruiting staff will also be present.

The combine’s primary objective is to test athleticism and provide a basic introduction to the skills of the game.  Testing includes vertical jumping, a 3 km time trial, sprinting and basic kicking.

AFL International Development Manager Tony Woods explained, “We are deliberately targeting taller, elite athletes who play as centers or power forwards in basketball. We feel these athletes have the best chance to transition into our game.  We know that Australian Football is a challenging and unique game. How ever if you can test equal to or better than Australian players, and you have the desire, you give yourself every chance of succeeding.”

After the inaugural US Combine in 2012 three athletes traveled to Australia. Eric Wallace was selected by the North Melbourne Kangaroos as an International Rookie.  Wallace is featured in this year’s recruiting video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4a8Hgq29TV0

The USAFL is extremely excited by this significant step forward in recruiting USA athletes to the AFL.  The USAFL shares the optimism of the AFL and our event partner, Under Armour, who believe that it is only a matter of time before elite USA athletes join the ranks of the professional AFL stars in Australia.

For further information please contact USAFL Communications Manager Amy Bishop  (communications@usafl.com).