by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago
A California high school football punter could go down in history as the youngest ever international Australian Rules football talent to be discovered.
Brandon Heicklen, 14, has been a junior football star since the age of eight, two years after he first began learning through a junior kicking camp. Mentored by past and present NFL players, Brandon has gone on to earn junior All-State and junior All-American selections. Two years ago, he discovered Australian football while watching ESPN and thought leaning Aussie Rules would help him further improve his ball skills. Since there are no junior programs for footy in the USA, he joined a local adult team. Even at the tender age of 12, he was a prodigious kick and his 55 yard (50 meter) kicks have attracted the attention of the AFL. Although ineligible to play with the World Footy Team, Brandon has been invited to Sydney by Under-16 coach Michael Ablett to practice with the squad. He will also be mentored by former AFL players and coaches. Excited at the prospect of being a part of an historic occasion and determined to succeed, Brandon will be eligible for the team next year.
NOTE: Michael Ablett is a cousin of AFL players Gary and Nathan. He attended the AIS-AFL Academy while playing in the TAC competition and was rookie-listed by North Melbourne.in 2000 but delisted without playing a senior game. Several years later, he traveled to the USA where he joined fledgling USAFL club, the Las Vegas Gamblers.
Source: PRWeb, World Footy News
Article last changed on Monday, February 27, 2012 - 5:37 AM EST