Ruqayyah Snyder
Australian citizens are allowed to play in the NFL, and several Australians have participated at the highest level of American football. The first Australian to play American football at a meaningful level was Pat O'Dea in 1896, who was a College Football Hall of Fame and All-American player. Since then, many Australians have gone on to play in the NFL, with some becoming top talents, such as Jordan Mailata, Jakob Johnson, and Adam Gotsis. Australians typically transition from Australian rules football, rugby league, or rugby union to the NFL, with some athletes being actively scouted by NFL teams. The NFL also has programs in place, such as the International Player Pathway Program, to help foreign-born players reach the NFL and make it easier for teams to sign international players.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| American football in Australia | Known locally as "gridiron" |
| First Australian to play American football | Pat O'Dea in 1896 |
| Number of Australians in the NFL | Five |
| Names of Australians in the NFL | Mitch Wishnowsky, Michael Dickson, Tory Taylor, Cameron Johnston, Matt Hayball |
| Australian NFL players in the past | Darren Bennett, Ben Graham, Jesse Williams, Adam Gotsis, Matt Leo, Daniel Faalele, Jordan Mailata |
| Number of junior and senior teams in Australia | 73 |
| Number of teams in the US College Invitational | 6 |
| Number of teams in the US competing in the 2022 USAFL National Championships | 41 |
| Number of Australian punters in the NCAA Division I FBS football team in the 2010s | Six |
| Names of Australian punters in the NCAA Division I FBS football team in the 2010s | Tom Hornsey, Tom Hackett, Mitch Wishnowsky, Michael Dickson, Max Duffy |
| Number of FBS teams with Australian punters in 2018 | 30 |
| Number of teams in the second-tier Division I FCS with Australian punters in 2018 | 35 |
| Academy in Australia aimed at training punters for US teams | Prokick Australia |
| Number of players in the USAFL | 2,000+ |
| Percentage of Australians allowed for a USAFL roster | 30% |
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What You'll Learn
Australian players in the NFL
Australian players have participated in the National Football League (NFL), the highest level of American football, and Australian rules football, rugby league, and rugby union athletes have been linked to potential NFL careers. The punting specialist position requires similar skills to those used in Australian Rules football, and Australian football players can have longer careers as punters in the NFL, where they can play well into their 40s.
The first Australian to play American football at a meaningful level was Pat O'Dea, a former Australian rules footballer. He played in 1896 and was a College Football Hall of Fame and All-American player who set many kicking records. Since then, several Australian players have joined NFL teams, typically after being noticed for their performance in other professional Australian sports. For almost a decade, the NFL has placed full-time development officers in Australia, and there is a full-time punting academy in Australia, Prokick Australia, which is aimed at training and assessing talented punters from Australia for positions in major U.S. teams.
In the 2024 NFL season, some of the Australian players on rosters included Laekin Vakalahi, who was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles as part of their practice squad with an international player roster exemption, and Adam Gotsis, Australia's longest-serving active player, who was a free agent after playing for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2023. Punter Lou Hedley was waived by the New Orleans Saints, and Patrick Murtagh and Thomas Yassmin were cut by the Jacksonville Jaguars and Denver Broncos, respectively.
Other Australians on NFL rosters in 2024 included Mailata, an offensive tackle for the Eagles who signed a three-year, $66 million extension; Michael Dickson, a punter for the Seattle Seahawks since 2018; Mitch Wishnowsky, a punter for the San Francisco 49ers; Faalele, an offensive tackle for the Baltimore Ravens; and Taylor, a punter for the Chicago Bears.
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Australian rules football in the US
Australian rules football, also known as "footy" or "Aussie rules", has grown rapidly across the United States since 1996. The United States Australian Football League (USAFL) is the governing body for the sport in the US, with various clubs and leagues across the country. The USAFL was formed in 1997, following the first match between two local US clubs, Cincinnati and Louisville, in 1996. The USAFL National Championships is the largest club tournament in the world, with 41 teams competing across 6 divisions in 2022.
The USAFL is a grassroots, amateur sports organisation that promotes and raises awareness of Australian football and Aussie culture in the US. It has created a sense of community among its clubs and members, with over 2,000 players, more than half of whom are American. The sport is also growing in popularity among women, juniors, and those seeking modified or non-contact variations, such as Metro Footy and Footy 7s.
The national men's team, the USA Revolution, debuted in 1999 and has achieved notable success, including a bronze medal at the 2005 Australian Football International Cup. The national women's team, the USA Freedom, formed in 2007 and also won bronze at the 2011 Australian Football International Cup.
Australian rules football has a long history in the US, dating back to the late 19th century when Australian football player Pat O'Dea moved to America and became a legendary gridiron punter, known as the "Kangaroo Kicker". Efforts to establish the sport in the US colleges were made in the early 20th century, but it failed to gain a strong foothold due to its confusion with rugby. However, with the growing popularity of Australian football in the US through television broadcasts in the 1980s and the support of organisations like AFANA, the sport has seen a resurgence and continues to grow in participation and popularity across the country.
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Australian punters in college football
Australian punters have become increasingly common in college football in the United States. The Prokick Australia academy, co-founded by Nathan Chapman and John Smith in 2007, has been instrumental in this trend. The academy trains Australians to become college football punters and helps them gain exposure to college coaches in the U.S. The program has produced numerous successful punters, including TCU senior punter Jordy Sandy and Georgia freshman punter Brett Thorson, who both went on to play in the College Football Playoff national championship game.
Prokick Australia has established a strong reputation in college football, with coaches recognising the talent and skills that Australian punters bring to the game. The academy's alumni have consistently performed well, with Australians winning the Ray Guy Award for the top punter in NCAA Division I FBS football six times in the last seven seasons of the 2010s. Tom Hornsey from the University of Memphis won the award in 2013, followed by Tom Hackett from the University of Utah in 2014 and 2015, Mitch Wishnowsky from the University of Utah in 2016, Michael Dickson from the University of Texas in 2017, and Max Duffy from the University of Kentucky in 2019.
The success of Australian punters in college football can be attributed to the similar skills required in Australian Rules football, a sport that many Australians grow up playing. The punting specialist position in American football values kicking skills, which are a key component of Australian Rules football. Additionally, the higher salaries and longer playing careers in American football compared to Australian football have attracted Australian athletes to pursue punting careers in the U.S.
The influx of Australian punters into college football has led to a growing familiarity with Australian talent in the sport. Schools such as Utah and Kentucky have helped to normalise the presence of Australian punters on their teams. Additionally, the trend of two-Aussie-punter matchups in college football games has further highlighted the impact of Australian athletes in this position. The success and visibility of Australian punters have not only benefited the colleges they play for but also helped pave the way for future Australian athletes seeking opportunities in American football.
Overall, the presence of Australian punters in college football has added an exciting international dimension to the sport and expanded the talent pool beyond traditional boundaries. The success stories of Australian punters have inspired and created pathways for other aspiring Australian athletes to pursue similar journeys. The strong performance of these punters has also contributed to the growing global appeal of American football and fostered cultural exchange through sports.
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Australian-American Football Conference
The AAFC was formed when Ken and Debbie Jarrett placed an ad on a Sydney radio station, calling for American football enthusiasts to assemble. Seven teams were created: the Waverley Raiders, Sydney University Stormtroopers, Double Bay Buccaneers, Canterbury Cougars, Fairfield Argonauts, Parramatta Saxons, and the North Shore Redbacks. The opening games of the AAFC season took place on April 29, featuring a game between the Argonauts and the Buccaneers, and another between the Raiders and Sydney University.
American football, known as "gridiron" in Australia, is represented by Gridiron Australia and Gridiron Victoria. There are currently 73 junior and senior teams playing gridiron in Australia, and the sport has an increasing media profile, with the National Football League (NFL) being broadcast on television. Australian players have participated at the highest level of American football in the NFL, with some success. The punting specialist position is particularly sought-after by Australians, as it requires similar skills to those used in Australian Rules football.
In addition to Australians joining American football teams, there is also a presence of American football being played in the United States by Australians. Australian rules football, commonly referred to as "Footy" or "Aussie Rules," has grown as a sport in the US since 1996. The USAFL National Championships is the largest club tournament in the world, with 41 teams competing in 2022. There is also a national youth team, and participation is growing in women's and junior teams. The United States Australian Football League (USAFL) oversees more than 2,000 players, and there is an active fan base organization, the Australian Football Association of North America.
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American football in Australia
American football, known as "'gridiron' in Australia, has been played in the country since World War II. The sport has a growing media profile in Australia, with the National Football League (NFL) being broadcast on both free-to-air television and subscription channels. Gridiron Australia and Gridiron Victoria are the sport's representative bodies in the country, with the former being a member of the International Federation of American Football (IFAF). The National Gridiron League of Australia (NGLA) was formed in 1991 to govern and promote the sport at the national level and internationally.
While the sport has only had regular league play since 1983, there is no uniform gridiron season in Australia. The various state and territory bodies play at different times of the year. There are currently 73 junior and senior teams playing gridiron in Australia, and the national team has competed in the IFAF World Cup and other international competitions.
The pathway for Australians to join NFL teams is typically limited to other professional Australian sports, as gridiron in Australia is only at the amateur level. However, Australian rules football players have been identified for their unique skills in the role of punter, a specialist kicker who aims to limit the opponent's field position. As a result, there has been an influx of Australians in United States college football teams, with some making it to the NFL. Australians have won the Ray Guy Award, presented to the top punter in NCAA Division I FBS football, six times in the last seven seasons of the 2010s. Currently, there are five Australian-raised punters in the NFL.
Australian players have also been successful in other positions in the NFL. For example, Darren Bennett played 11 seasons as a punter, and more recently, Ben Graham, Jesse Williams, Adam Gotsis, Matt Leo, Daniel Faalele, and Jordan Mailata have found success in the league. Additionally, in 2002, the Australian Football League began to recognize the potential of the U.S. as a pool of talent and provided funding to the USAFL.
There are opportunities for Australians of all ages and abilities to get involved with American football. American Football Australia seeks new players, coaches, officials, and volunteers, and provides a club finder to locate the nearest club.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Australian citizens can play American football. There have been several Australian players in the NFL, including Michael Dickson, Mitch Wishnowsky, and Adam Gotsis.
Australians typically play the punter position in the NFL. This is because punting is a niche skill in the US, whereas Australians grow up kicking a ball instinctively and can therefore bring a variety of techniques to the role.
Australians can get into the NFL through the International Player Pathway Program (IPP), which helps foreign-born players reach the NFL. The NFL's International Combine acts as a scouting showcase to identify candidates for the IPP.
To play college football in the US, Australians must submit immigration materials to the US State Department and meet the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) eligibility requirements, including academic standards and amateur status.
Yes, US citizens can play Australian football. The United States Australian Football League (USAFL) facilitates US citizens playing Australian football in Australia. US citizens can enter Australia on a holiday visa or a Work and Holiday (Temporary) visa, which allows them to work and play Australian football for up to a year.
