In pursuit of the American dream
why not try it out myself?’’
For Akiono, the attraction of the NFL is the Pacific Island connection. He’s a fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers, who had fellow Samoan Troy Polamalu in their ranks for 12 seasons from 2003 to 2014.
‘‘I just love supporting the Samoans, and all the Pacific Islanders in the NFL,’’ he said.
‘‘If they can then do it, then why can’t we do it?
As many as 75 players might be invited to the Gold Coast from sessions in New Zealand, Australia, Fiji and Samoa, and as many as five might go from there to the IMG Academy in Florida, where they will hone their skills in preparation for the 2019 NFL combine and draft. All of it will be paid for.
The NFL is casting its eye over the Pacific in part because of Jordan Mailata, an age-group league player who was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles this year, despite never having played the sport.
Mailata is a PSM client and spent time at the IMG Academy honing his skills before being picked. Now, he is on the verge of cracking the Eagles 53-man roster, with the start of the new NFL season less than two weeks away.
The question is, are there more athletes like Mailata out there? Anybody who has watched rugby or league in New Zealand would say yes – it’s just a matter of finding them and working with them.
Yesterday, the hopefuls were put through five tests – a broad jump, which shows how far forward they can move from a standing start; a vertical jump, which shows how high they can leap; a 40-yard dash, a short shuttle, where they run five yards one way, 10 the other way, and five the other again; and a threecone drill, which gives a sense of their agility.
When it came time to prepare, Akiono did what any young man would do – he went online.
‘‘Last night watching Youtube clips, that was my training.’’
Now someone from the NFL will be watching clips of him, and all the others from New Zealand – there’s another session in Wellington on Sunday.
The odds of any of them making it are small, but they’ve put themselves in the shop window.
And who knows, the talent scouts might like what they see.
‘‘It’s a sport that’s growing worldwide, it’s a sport that I enjoy watching, so why not try it out myself?’’