Talented footballer Jack Brooks will move to Melbourne on Sunday to pursue his dream of securing a college scholarship in the United States.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Brooks has been accepted into a Prokick Australia, a program designed to help Australian kickers make the transition to the big stage of American football.
Brooks has been interested in chasing a punting career for some time and has been accepted into Prokick after impressing in a trial last year.
The 24-year-old will begin with Prokick next week in the hope of securing a US college scholarship by the end of the year.
“It’s exciting,” Brooks said.
“I’ve always liked NFL and different stuff about it.
“I obviously want to keep improving and get better but if I could get a scholarship with a college and get the chance to play over there, play college footy, it would be good fun.
“They all love it over there.”
Brooks will train four days a week with Prokick, while fitting in part-time work around it.
He also has to ensure his SAT testing scores are high enough to be accepted into college.
About 20 aspiring punters are accepted into Prokick each year with most securing a College scholarship within 12 months.
“It just depends on each one, it could be six months or it could be 12 months,” he said.
“Prokick only take a certain amount each year and basically all of them (get picked up). This season alone, there’s about 50 playing college football.”
Brooks, who was captain of Turvey Park last year, had joined Farrer League premiers Marrar in the off-season.
But the move to Melbourne will put an end to that and his playing days for the moment.
“I was looking forward to playing with Marrar because I wanted another challenge but I always had this at the back of my mind,” he said.
“This is a new career to take but I’ll miss Aussie rules.”
Marrar coach Shane Lenon said the club was always aware Brooks may be accepted into Prokick and wished him all the best.