A CHANCE OF A LIFE TIME

Two young Scots gridiron protégés have been given the chance of a life time in taking the first step towards a professional career by getting the chance to live and breath America's national game in the land of its birth..

Graeme McMillan and Lee Collins, both products of the Scottish Claymores development Academy have made a name for themselves on the pitch starring for the reigning British Youth Champions, Clyde Valley Hawks as well as international level with Scotland and the Great Britain squad.

And for the next twelve months, both players will be staying with two families and studying at High School in the States as part of a student exchange programme, where they hope to follow in the footsteps of NFL stars and clinch a scholarship in one of the national colleges or universities.

Both players have already brought the curtain down on their Scottish Youth career with the Hawks, with Graeme now heading to Pennsylvania, where he will be stationed at Manheim High School

Lee played his final game for the Hawks last Sunday and will make his big journey on August 10th, where he will be based 15 miles East of Philadelphia at the Garnet Valley High School.

Previous European prodeges to progress from a stint in an American High School has included German Lineman, Constantine Ritzman, who is went from being to a star defensive lineman with the University of Tennesse to joining up with the Buffalo Bills.

Hawks Head Coach, Steve Collins reckons that this is a great opportunity for both players. But he knows that they will both have 12 months of hard work ahead of them.

And if successful could pave the way for more young Scots hoping to make the big time.

He said: “The main obstacle is that they will very quickly have to get used to the speed of the game over there and then fight to get game time.”

“Obviously both kids are dreaming about getting a college scholarship but that will be a tall order but it's not to say that it isn't achievable.”

“I'm afraid that will be in the hands of fate as you know a couple of lucky breaks and away they go.”

“The main thing is that both these guys will be good ambassadors for the Scottish game and that should help open doors for other hopefuls.”

“But these hopefuls should realise that they need to keep up their academics as well as training real hard, because in High School, they don't play if they don't get their grades.”

SOLO PICS - C/O CLYDE VALLEY HAWKS