WHEN TO REACH OUT TO AUSTRALIAN KICKING ACADEMY
While it is never too early to initiate a conversation, it is important to recognise that timelines vary for each individual athlete. Due to the steep learning curve involved in transitioning to American football, athletes typically spend between 8 to 18 months within the Academy before reaching readiness for U.S. college recruitment.
Recruitment efforts can begin as early as one year in advance. We are already in discussions with U.S. universities regarding Class of 2026 punters and strongly encourage prospective athletes to reach out early to gain a comprehensive understanding of the recruitment process and its associated expectations.
AFL / VFL ATHLETES
We hear from players who are in the final year(s) of their professional contracts and are exploring ways to extend their time in elite-level sport. While future circumstances (e.g. injury, delisting) can be uncertain, it is always wise to have a backup plan in place.
We handle all enquiries with complete discretion, and guarantee that any assessments or conversations will remain confidential and not be communicated back to your club or network.
UNIVERSITY STUDENTS
Contact us immediately. Once a student begins full-time university study, their NCAA eligibility clock begins. Under NCAA rules, U.S. universities offer five-year scholarships, which allow athletes to compete for four seasons while remaining with the team for all five years. This additional year accommodates injuries, redshirting, and developmental needs.
For example:
- Completing one full year of university in Australia = 4 years of scholarship, eligible to play 4 years.
- Completing two full years of university in Australia = 3 years of scholarship, eligible to play 3 years, and so on.
If you are currently enrolled or have completed university studies, it is critical that you contact us immediately to assess your academic eligibility and establish a plan of action.
YEAR 12
We fully acknowledge that Year 12 can be a demanding and stressful time, with academic obligations, sporting commitments, and social pressures. That said, this is a crucial point of contact for athletes considering the transition to U.S. college football.
If you are in Year 12 and interested in pursuing this pathway, we encourage you to contact us as soon as possible to discuss your options and create a tailored plan moving forward.
YEAR 8 - YEAR 11
Students within this age group may be beginning to question the long-term viability of a professional career in their current sport. While we would never discourage an athlete from pursuing their primary sporting dream, we do believe in the importance of preparing a strong “Plan B.”
We recommend that students at this stage reach out to explore the possibility of transitioning into American football as well as to ensure academic eligibility is secured. There may be opportunities to join the academy on a part-time basis, allowing for gradual development and familiarisation with the sport. More details on our part-time program will be discussed later in this pack.