A7FL Combines Deliver Big Hits Across the Country
The A7FL concluded its first ever open combines across the country between February 20 (first Florida event) and March 7 (New Jersey). The events were designed to introduce new players to the American 7s game, evaluate their skills and help fill out the rosters of both new and existing teams prior to the launch of the league’s 7th season on April 11.
“Since we’ve added 2 divisions this year, we really needed to see what the new players would bring to the league,” said Sener Korkusuz, A7FL Co-Founder and CEO. “ And we were impressed – we had over 100 players participate so we got a really good look at them. Plus we captured training footage and interviews with a new crop of up-and-coming players who we hope will become our next group of stars.”
Along with seeing the player in action, the combines provided the opportunity to hear the players’ stories and they ran the gamut: from a high school baseball player looking to reinvent himself as a quarterback, to a lifetime football player now a high school head coach, to a former marine who has become a screenwriter and practices multiple martial arts. And perhaps the most unique background belongs to David Bailey – a Brooksville (FL) city councilman who will join the A7FL playing alongside his son. “These players don’t just play four years of big-time college ball and then get drafted,” said A7FL Co-Founder and President Ryan DePaul. “They come from all over, literally from any background. All they need is the the talent and desire to get out there and mix it up.”
The combine series also provide an opportunity for the league to develop its local press relationships. For example, Advisory Board Chairman and UFC Co-Founder David Isaacs provided San Diego’s leading morning TV show with an extended interview about his local combine. In another, President DePaul was featured on New Jersey’s News 12. These new players and the local news coverage about the combines puts the league on a solid foundation as the league’s focus shifts to its April 11 season opener.
