LA Rams star Steve Avila has sights sets on making Australia a home for the NFL

He's been out to the 'G to see the AFL and loves what the NRL is doing in Las Vegas. But when it comes to the LA Rams' first foray into Australia, big man Steve Avila says 'we're essentially making history'.
The Rams arrived in Melbourne at the weekend ahead of their inaugural fan combine, beginning a long lead-in to the NFL franchise's groundbreaking exhibition match scheduled for 2026.
For offensive lineman Avila, next year's game is about more than just securing a victory; it's about paving the way for other NFL teams to venture Down Under.
Speaking exclusively to Code Sports upon his arrival in Melbourne, Avila emphasised the significance of their visit.
'We're essentially making history,' the center said.
'To even hear that sentence, we're going to be the first NFL team to do things like this.
'There is quite a big fan base here with the NFL, so hopefully the fans can bring people to tag along with and help grow the sport.'
Touching down in Australia for the first time on Friday, the 25-year-old has spent the weekend immersing himself in Australian culture and scouting some of the nation's top sporting talents for potential NFL futures.
During his visit, Avila took in the sights at the MCG on Saturday, witnessing Carlton face off against North Melbourne in the AFL, marking his second experience with an Australian sport.
Avila previously travelled to Las Vegas to watch the NRL's inaugural season opener, noting that the NFL could learn from the NRL's efforts to globalise a foreign sport.
'I think it's been amazing,' Avila said regarding the NRL's push into America.
'I feel like word of mouth goes a long way, so I feel like they have done a good job. I hope they do more over there because I definitely would go to more AFL and rugby games.'
When asked about the prospects of Australian athletes in the NFL, Avila was full of praise.
'If people took football more seriously here, I'm sure you would see a lot more Australian players in the NFL,' he said.
'I've seen how athletic a lot of the people over here are.'
However, when it comes to Avila transitioning to an Australian sporting code, the path is not straightforward.
'If I can keep my bones healthy and drop 150 pounds, you can for sure count me in,' Avila joked.
With over a year until the Rams' debut game in Melbourne, Avila expressed his desire for the NFL to make regular visits to Australia.
'Once every couple of years will be awesome,' Avila said.
'I feel like I'm getting a head start being down here and seeing how everything is feeling.'

Hashtags

Sports

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Bernard Tomic pulls off incredible Mallorca qualifying double to return to ATP Tour main draw

7NEWS

41 minutes ago

7NEWS

Bernard Tomic pulls off incredible Mallorca qualifying double to return to ATP Tour main draw

Australian tennis veteran Bernard Tomic is celebrating a return to the top after qualifying for an ATP Tour event for the first time since 2021. The 32-year-old pulled off an impressive double on the grass courts of Mallorca, claiming upset wins over world No.93 Jesper De Jong and world No.77 Aleksandar Kovacevic to reach the main draw. He had not beaten a top-100 rival since February 2023. Tomic, the world No.243, has been an ATP Challenger and third-tier ITF circuit regular and last played an ATP Tour-level event when he qualified for the 2021 Australian Open. He will face fellow Australian Rinky Hijikata in the first round at Mallorca. Mallorca will be the high point of the grass season for Tomic, who was in the mix for the Wimbledon qualifying draw before pulling out to focus on the Spanish event. Tristan Schoolkate will lead a 16-strong Australian contingent seeking Wimbledon places — and lucrative pay packets — this week. With 13 Australians (eight man and five women) already guaranteed in the main draw next week, Ilkley Trophy winner Schoolkate will spearhead the challenge to join them in the cut-throat qualifying tournament at nearby Roehampton. Players will have to come through three qualifying matches at the venue 5km from the All England Club to nail down one of the coveted 16 places in each of the singles draws a week on Monday. Making the main draw will guarantee each qualifier at least a £66,000 ($A137,000) pay day even if he or she loses in the first round. Schoolkate, who earned the biggest win of his burgeoning career at the picturesque Challenger event in Ilkley that likes to dub itself the 'Wimbledon of the North', has moved to 102nd in the rankings and is seeking a maiden appearance at the grass-court slam. The 24-year-old, second seed for the qualifying event, opens on Monday against Argentine world No.198 Facundo Diaz Acosta. Last year, Alex Bolt had just 10 minutes notice as an alternate that he would be a late replacement in the qualifying draw and went on to surprise everyone, not least himself, by going on to battle into the main draw. This year, somewhat better prepared, the 32-year-old Murray Bridge veteran will face Frenchman Harold Mayot first up, hoping to make the main draw for a fourth time. Four other Aussie men — Li Tu, Jason Kubler, James McCabe and Omar Jasika — will also open their bids on Monday while the world No.1 junior Emerson Jones will lead the women's qualifying challenge that begins on Tuesday. Jones, who reached the Australian Open and Wimbledon junior finals last year, will be joined in the draw by Talia Gibson, Priscilla Hon, Daria Saville, Astra Sharma, Destanee Aiava, Maddison Inglis, Lizette Cabrera, Arina Rodionova and Taylah Preston. Meanwhile, Alex de Minaur is not in action in any of the final pre-Wimbledon grass-court events after his early exit at Queen's Club. But seven SW19-bound Australians will feature in the final warm-up tournaments this week, including Tomic. James Duckworth beat British wildcard Johannus Monday 6-4 6-2 and Aleksandar Vukic downed American Jenson Brooksby 7-5 6-3 to book their places in the Eastbourne International men's main draw. Kim Birrell also made it to the traditional seaside event, defeating Anna Bondar 6-2 6-3 in Eastbourne qualifying, to join the country's top pair, Daria Kasatkina and Maya Joint, in the women's event. Ajla Tomljanovic, a former Wimbledon quarter-finalist, beat Germany's Eva Lys, who retired when 6-4 3-2 down, to make it into the Bad Homburg WTA main draw.