NFL Expands Global Footprint with New Academy in Australia

Yesterday, the NFL officially announced that an NFL Academy is coming to Australia.

Based at A.B. Paterson College in south-east Queensland’s Gold Coast, the academy will offer full-time education alongside professional training for student athletes aged 12-18.

The academy forms part of the NFL’s broader strategy to promote American football globally and draw international talent to the sport, following the success of the NFL Academy in the UK.

With support from the City of Gold Coast and the Queensland Government, the Academy will see a purpose built, high-performance facility built on the existing grounds of A.B. Paterson College.

The facility is set to be completed in 2026, and will be available for community use upon completion.

The Academy will also support the growth of flag football, following its inclusion in the LA28 Olympic Games.

Australian NFL star Jordan Mailata, an alumnus of the NFL’s International Player Pathway program, will be the Academy’s ambassador.

Recruitment camps for the academy will begin in June 2024 in both Australia and New Zealand, with applications also open online at the NFL Academy website. Students will be able to apply for the academy from September 2024.

For more details on the NFL Academy and upcoming recruitment events, visit nfl.com

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