National Football League to open NFL Academy on Australia’s Gold Coast

The National Football League has announced it will open an NFL Academy in Australia in September 2024 to service the Asia-Pacific region, as the league continues to invest in long-term global football development efforts and pathways for international talent.

The NFL Academy is a major global initiative by the NFL offering talented student athletes the opportunity to combine full-time education alongside intensive training in American football (tackle) -- under the guidance of a world class coaching staff.

"The NFL Academy program is a significant league initiative that is driving football development efforts globally, and successfully changing the lives of young people around the world," said Brett Gosper, head of Europe and APAC with the NFL. "We look forward to bringing the program to the Gold Coast, Australia and continuing to build authentic player pathways for international talent, giving more young people from across the Asia-Pacific region the opportunity to play the game in the years ahead."

The NFL Academy will be based at A.B. Paterson College in south-east Queensland on Australia's Gold Coast, and in partnership with the college will focus on athletic, educational and career pathway opportunities for the student-athletes and the wider community.

Opening its doors in September 2024, student athletes aged 12-18 years old will be eligible to apply for a place in the elite football development program in Australia. The NFL Academy and A.B. Paterson College will support students with the best education and resources, while promoting football performance, player pathways and future collegiate scholarship opportunities.

The NFL and A.B. Paterson College, supported by the City of Gold Coast and the Queensland State