Player Scholarship

Dustin Jones

Dustin Jones, 21, from the Lehigh Valley Crocodiles USAFL club, is the
winner of the inaugural player scholarship to Essendon.

Dustin was born in Easton, Pennsylvania, and attended Nazareth High
school and Northhampton Community College. At high school he held several
school records for track, and was an outstanding soccer player, winning
many awards and also playing in England. He continues his involvement in
soccer through coaching the women's team at Nazareth High School. Since
college, Dustin has worked as a roofer, and in the summers teaches special
needs children at Summit camp with his football mentor, Robert Giabardo,
coach of the LHV Crocs, to whom he attributes his Aussie football success.

Dustin first played with the New York Magpies in the USAFL (where he won
the award for best American player), and has been the Crocs' MVP for the
past two seasons. He describes how he "fell in love with the sport" the
first time he picked up a ball. Selected for his first international match
in 2000, he was an important part of the US National team that defeated
Canada in Toronto. Following a strong performance at the 2000 USAFL
Nationals, Dustin was selected for the player scholarship, an honour he
describes as "the biggest high in the world".

Cick here to see Dustins Profile

A letter from Dustin

Dear U.S. Footy Fans,

I can not begin to tell you how ecstatic I am to be picked for the
scholarship. I plan to go to Australia and do my best at representing the
U.S.. I plan to work hard and devote everything to show everyone that I can
compete with the best players in the world. I just began playing aussie
rules two years ago. The first time I picked up a ball I fell in love with
the sport. Even though I am an American, I want to show the aussies I have
the same love for the sport as they do.

A scholarship to Australia to play what I think is the best sport,
gives me the biggest high in the world. On November 16 when I received a
phone call from Gary Hill telling me that I was to represent the U.S., I
went crazy and everyone around me did as well. On that night I went and
thanked the man who I owe this all to, Robert Giabardo. Being selected for
the scholarship is one of the biggest things that has happened to me. Just
thinking about it leaves me speechless. The only thing I can say is THANK
YOU!

Sincerely,

Dustin Jones

- Gary Hill
(59)