The Mole: Teenage firearm Jai Camilleri declines an NFL dream in favor of a trial agreement with the Parramatta Eels
A young player selected to play American football for Australia has chosen to play rugby league after agreeing to a trial contract with Parramatta.
American football player Jai Camilleri, a strong running back and linebacker, was selected for the Australian merit team and was voted MVP of the national schoolboy gridiron championships after dominating for Queensland.
However, the 18-year-old hooker’s first love has always been league, so when the Eels offered him a trial, he accepted without hesitation.
“I’ve loved mixing league and NFL, but I knew I would have to choose one at some point,” Camilleri said in an interview with Wide World of Sports.
“Playing both codes has improved my fitness and we complement one other well.
“But now that I’m with the Eels, I’m going to give it everything I’ve got.
“I moved down to Sydney a few months ago after graduating from Wavell High in Brisbane.
“I hope to play SG Ball and then Flegg Cup next year – playing against 21-year-olds would be great for my skill set.”
Camilleri is putting a lot of effort into preparing himself for life after football. The Eels helped him land a position as a teacher’s assistant for children with special needs.
And will he ever attempt his hand at the NFL, as many athletes in the league have done?
This responsible adolescent stated, “You never say never, but right now my dream is to play NRL.”
“If one day the chance comes up to go to the USA … who knows … you never say never.”
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