Have any question? +1 (816) 6162298 info@romecityinstitute.com
Have any question? +1 (816) 6162298 info@romecityinstitute.com
@2024 Ass. Rome City Institute ETS C.F. 96593140583
Thanks to Rome City Institute, and our partnership with the Federation for American Football, our student-athletes are provided the opportunity to compete in the top division of the national competition here in Italy – IFL 1.You will compete in a national competition and experience club competition traveling throughout the country of Italy. What makes us different:
Rome City Institute proudly presents an unparalleled opportunity for aspiring football student-athletes to experience the Italian Football environment through Rome City Institute-FIDAF Draft, where IFL 1 teams handpick RCI’s finest talents, poised to make their mark at the Senior Level. This exclusive event offers aspiring football student-athletes a gateway to professional recognition.
First, we will host a combine where IFL 1 coaches get the opportunity to know and meet our student-athletes in person, before the championship officially starts, our guys will be drafted by the top Italian Football League!
The Rome City Institute-FIDAF Draft will allow our student-athletes to develop their football career in Italy, and at the same time they will be valuable resources for each team. Not just during the season, but they can be involved at a younger level in some coaching opportunities with the goal of developing the Football game at a grassroots level.
For Italian clubs, the season begins at the start of March and can continue until the middle of June. Official games are played once a week, either on Saturday or Sunday.
Football in Italy is growing rapidly. The Italian football movement is working effortlessly to grow the game, significantly from the ground up. For this reason, many teams are working on optimizing facilities, developing youth categories, and signing American players. Some examples of Americans that have been brought onto pro contracts in 2024 include:
Damon Sheehy-Guiseppi – Legnano Frogs – Cleveland Browns
Jaren Banks – Lazio Marines – Eastern Washington University & Rice University
Hamish McClure – Milano Rhinos – University of Nevada
Bo Sanders – Ancona Dolphins – Elon University
Maclaine Griffin – Varese Skorpions – Boise State & Portland State
To illustrate the potential of football in Italy, there have been examples over the years of athletes reaching the NFL, and the number of players will only improve with the growth of the game.
Maximilian Pircher, is a current Italian player in the NFL, who became the first Italian born player to ever win the Super Bowl, when the Los Angeles Rams, the team that drafted him as an offensive lineman, won the Super Bowl over the Cincinnati Bengals in 2021. Pircher last played for the Detroit Lions in 2023.
Giorgio Tavecchio, a historic Italian kicker with a long NFL career, nicknamed “Italian Ice”, enjoyed a very successful 3-year stint with the Oakland Raiders, along with multiple seasons with 4 other NFL teams. While historically Italian players in the states have built a tradition of kickers, the mold is changing to adapt to the current times.
Haba Baldonado, born and raised in Rome. Haba’s journey started in Rome with the Lazio Ducks, going through Clearwater Academy first and Pittsburgh University after, before getting into the 2023 NFL Draft and signed as a Free Agent with the New York Giants before then being a 2nd round draft pick to the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the Canadian Football League!
Your experience will make a massive impact at the club you will play with! American-Football is indeed one of America’s trademarks, and with your strong background you will not only be a technical and tactical leader for the team throughout the league, but also for the youth.
American Football in Italy has been and continues to invest heavily on the growth and development of younger players as they see value in the investment for the future. Thanks to our American Football Program, you will be a key player in this phase of the game, being a major asset in the growth of this incredible game in this incredible country by having the opportunity to assist with coaching the junior levels for national or local level club teams!
Are you ready to become a Rome City Lion?
At Rome City we are looking for students who are willing to think outside the box and prepare themself for a professional journey in a rapidly changing world.