AFL keen to go global in search for news stars.
The AFL has launched a new advertising campaign challenging US athletes to take part in an AFL combine being held in Los Angeles during April this year.
International recruits in the AFL have been making waves, with 15-year-old Siope Ngata from the New Zealand combine impressing Hawthorn scouts before being recruited by the club as an international scholarship holder.
Last year saw North Melbourne recruit Eric Wallace from the US combine and he features in the AFL 3013 promotion.
The AFL has been searching New Zealand, Europe, UK, Ireland and now the US in efforts to entice players from other countries and sporting worlds to join the Australian sport.
Highlighting the lucrative contracts, massive fan base and uniqueness of the sport the AFL is promoting both the sport and the country to potential new recruits.
Not everyone is happy about the AFL’s efforts to find overseas athletes, with some complaining that the AFL is stealing players from grassroots rugby clubs.
According to The Score, Dublin rugby team doctor David Hickey has been vocal in his opposition of the AFL combine which he believes is “trying to inveigle our young athletes to go to Australia”.
Despite some opposition the recruitment drive by the AFL produces a number of promising young stars each year, and is seen by promoters as a great way to advertise the sport internationally.
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