Sydney Swans raid US Colleges in search for athletic talent
Code crossover: Sydney forward Mike Pyke (L) has made an excellent transition from rugby union. Picture: Ryan PierseSource: Getty Images
US COLLEGES have long poached talent from the AFL's ranks - now the Sydney Swans are turning the tables on the overseas sporting powerhouses.
Alex Starling, a 22-year-old college basketballer, will join the Swans next month as part of the AFL's international scholarship program. Move over Israel Folau.
And Sydney's academy head coach Paul Roos believes the Floridian could be the first of many to try their hand at the Australian game. Starling is a 196cm, 93kg "phenomenon" who played college basketball for Florida's Bethune-Cookman University in the US's top tier of amateur competition.
"He's a phenomenal athlete, I've never seen a bloke cover ground like him. I've never seen a guy run from centre half forward to the goal square as fast in my life," Roos said.
Starling was one of four US students invited to a mini draft camp at Redondo Beach in California in June last year.
He impressed there, and spent three weeks with Roos' family in August last year, attending training sessions with the team.
The Swans brains trust - head coach John Longmire, Stuart Maxfield and head of player personnel Kinnear Beatson - liked what they saw.
"He's busting to get over here, he has an AFL-type body like Buddy Franklin, " Roos said.
Roos lived in the US for 12 months after he retired in 1998.
Having seen the all-sport ability of college athletes, he approached the AFL about the possibility of recruiting them for top clubs back home: "Only one per cent of college athletes go on to professional careers which leaves a massive number of outstanding athletes who could come to our game," Roos said.
The AFL has focused on other areas such as South Africa and the Pacific Islands in recent years, but the US might not remain an untapped resource for much longer. The Swans' program in the US was entirely funded by long-time supporter Basil Sellers, who also played a major role in bringing Irishman Tadhg Kennelly to Sydney.
The Swans have a rich history of developing players from non-AFL backgrounds. Tommy Walsh will continue the Irish tradition, Mike Pyke played rugby for Canada and Kieren Jack and Lewis Roberts-Thomson both grew up playing rugby league and union union respectively.
US COLLEGES have long poached talent from the AFL's ranks - now the Sydney Swans are turning the tables on the overseas sporting powerhouses.Alex Starling, a 22-year-old college basketballer, will join the Swans next month as part of the AFL's international scholarship program. Move over Israel Folau.And Sydney's academy head coach Paul Roos believes the Floridian could be the first of many to try their hand at the Australian game. Starling is a 196cm, 93kg "phenomenon" who played college basketball for Florida's Bethune-Cookman University in the US's top tier of amateur competition."He's a phenomenal athlete, I've never seen a bloke cover ground like him. I've never seen a guy run from centre half forward to the goal square as fast in my life," Roos said.Starling was one of four US students invited to a mini draft camp at Redondo Beach in California in June last year.He impressed there, and spent three weeks with Roos' family in August last year, attending training sessions with the team.The Swans brains trust - head coach John Longmire, Stuart Maxfield and head of player personnel Kinnear Beatson - liked what they saw."He's busting to get over here, he has an AFL-type body like Buddy Franklin, " Roos said.Roos lived in the US for 12 months after he retired in 1998.Having seen the all-sport ability of college athletes, he approached the AFL about the possibility of recruiting them for top clubs back home: "Only one per cent of college athletes go on to professional careers which leaves a massive number of outstanding athletes who could come to our game," Roos said.The AFL has focused on other areas such as South Africa and the Pacific Islands in recent years, but the US might not remain an untapped resource for much longer. The Swans' program in the US was entirely funded by long-time supporter Basil Sellers, who also played a major role in bringing Irishman Tadhg Kennelly to Sydney.The Swans have a rich history of developing players from non-AFL backgrounds. Tommy Walsh will continue the Irish tradition, Mike Pyke played rugby for Canada and Kieren Jack and Lewis Roberts-Thomson both grew up playing rugby league and union union respectively.
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