Ireland's
Kicking King

The competition is open to boys and girls aged 16–21 on the date of their tryout who are eligible to play NCAA college football under NCAA amateurism and eligibility rules. Athletes may enter one tryout; an athlete who cannot attend their registered tryout may contact the program to switch to another venue, subject to capacity. Employees of Leader Kicking and members of their immediate families are not eligible to compete.

Each tryout is a 90-minute session and follows the same structure at every venue:

1. Check-in opens 45 minutes before the session. Athletes confirm their registration and signed release (or complete both onsite if space permits).
2. Warm-up and instruction (approximately 30 minutes), led by Leader Kicking coaches. Athletes new to the American football kicking motion receive basic technique guidance before any measured attempt.
3. Measured kicking (approximately 60 minutes). Every athlete receives a minimum of six measured attempts, beginning at shorter distances and progressing as the athlete succeeds. Every attempt is recorded by professional tracking technology (ball tracking, foot tracking and radar), capturing distance, accuracy, ball speed and strike data.
4. Coaches may grant additional attempts at their discretion — for example, where weather, surface or an athlete's inexperience with the motion warrants another look.

Athletes are assessed on their recorded data and the coaching staff's evaluation of technique, athleticism and potential. The coaches' discretion is final at every stage of the competition.

1. Following the ten tryouts, 30 athletes are selected to the semi-final based on recorded performance data and the coaching staff's assessment.
2. At the semi-final at Aviva Stadium on August 29, the 10 longest kicks win a Golden Ticket to Chicago — inclusive of two Coaches' Cards that may be played during this stage of the competition, allowing the coaching staff to advance athletes of exceptional potential whose longest kick on the day did not place in the top ten.
3. All 10 Golden Ticket finalists take part in the training and camp program (September–October). Attendance is a condition of remaining in the competition; absences are handled at the coaching staff's discretion.
4. Four finalists are selected to compete at the final at Ryan Field on November 7, based on training performance and recorded data. The longest successful kick at the final is crowned Ireland's Kicking King. In the event of a tie, additional attempts are taken until the tie is broken.
5. The coaching staff may adjust formats, distances, attempt counts and schedules where weather, safety, broadcast or venue requirements demand it. All selection decisions rest with the coaching staff and are final.

The winner receives a $10,000 award paid as name, image and likeness (NIL) compensation. Payment is made upon the winner securing a roster spot on an NCAA college football team, and is structured to comply with NCAA and applicable NIL rules in force at the time of payment. The program will work with the winner and their institution to ensure the payment is made in a manner that protects the athlete's eligibility. No substitute prize is available; the award is non-transferable.

Film crews will be recording all sessions — every tryout, the semi-final, training, camps and the final — for a documentary film and for social media. By signing the release at registration, the athlete (and their parent/guardian, if under 18) grants Leader Kicking, its production partners and its program partners the right to record the athlete's image, likeness, voice, name and performance at any stage of the competition, and to use, edit, reproduce and distribute those recordings:

1. in connection with the documentary film — including clips, trailers, and the film's distribution and promotion — worldwide, in perpetuity, in all media; and
2. in all other program marketing and social media for the competition and the Leader Kicking program, worldwide, for 12 months from the date of signature.

No fee or royalty is payable for these uses. Athletes will never be portrayed in a false or disparaging manner. Questions about the release: darragh@leaderkicking.com.

Kicking is a physical activity and carries a risk of injury. By signing the release at registration, the athlete confirms that they are physically fit to take part, and that they voluntarily assume the risks of participating in tryouts, training, camps and competition.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, the athlete (and their parent/guardian, if under 18) releases and holds harmless Leader Kicking, the program's partners and funders, host venues and their owners, and the program's coaches, staff and volunteers from any claim, loss or damage arising from participation in the competition.

Nothing in this release excludes or limits liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, or any other liability that cannot be excluded or limited under the law of Ireland. The athlete (or their guardian) also consents to emergency medical treatment being arranged on the athlete's behalf should it be needed at a program event.

The age of majority in Ireland (and Northern Ireland) is 18. Athletes aged 16 or 17 must have a parent or guardian co-sign the registration, rules agreement and athlete release before competing. For finalists under 18, travel to Chicago is chaperoned by the program's coaching staff and requires a signed parent/guardian travel consent. Families are welcome at every stage at their own expense.

1. Entry is free at every stage. Athletes are responsible for their own travel to tryouts, the semi-final and the training program; the program provides flights and accommodation for the 10 finalists (and coaching staff) for the Chicago final.
2. Athletes take part at their own risk and must be physically fit to compete; the program carries event insurance and follows the safety guidance of each host venue.
3. Unsporting conduct, or any breach of these rules, may result in removal from the competition at the coaching staff's discretion.
4. The program may update the schedule or venues where required; registered athletes will be notified of any change by email.
5. These rules are governed by the laws of Ireland.

No. Every tryout is completely free, and there is no cost to compete at any stage. The program is funded philanthropically.

Pre-registration is suggested as spots may be limited. Onsite signup may be available if spaces permit — but registering below guarantees you're on the list and first to hear session times.

No — you are the exact person this is for. Charlie Smyth was a Gaelic football goalkeeper and had barely touched an American football before his first tryout. He is now in the NFL. The technique transfers from GAA, rugby and soccer, and the coaches will show you the basics on the day.

Just athletic wear and the boots you use for rugby, GAA or soccer. Footballs and all equipment are provided.

Every kick is measured with professional tracking technology. The strongest 30 athletes across the ten tryouts advance to the semi-final at Aviva Stadium, and the 10 longest kicks there win a Golden Ticket to Chicago — inclusive of two Coaches' Cards that may be played during this stage of the competition. Coaches' discretion is final at every stage. The full process is in the Official Rules above.

A small number of places the coaching staff can award to athletes who show exceptional potential — even if their longest kick on the day didn't make the cut.

The award is paid as NIL (name, image and likeness) compensation once the winner secures a roster spot on an NCAA college football team — structured to protect the athlete's NCAA eligibility. Full terms in the Official Rules.

You can compete, but a parent or guardian must co-sign your registration, the rules agreement and the athlete release — the legal age of majority in Ireland is 18. The registration form below collects their signature automatically when your date of birth shows you're under 18.

No. Flights and accommodation for all 10 finalists and the coaching staff are provided. Finalists under 18 travel chaperoned by program staff with a signed parent/guardian travel consent. Families are very welcome in Chicago at their own expense.

Yes. Film crews will be recording all sessions — every tryout, the semi-final, training and the final — for the documentary and social media. Signing the athlete release at registration covers this; the release runs in perpetuity for the documentary film and 12 months for other program marketing, and its full text is in the Official Rules.

Every one of the 10 finalists — not just the winner — receives six months of coaching, academic prep and US college recruitment support. The competition crowns one King; the pathway is for all ten.

The competition is run by Leader Kicking — founded by former professional rugby player Tadhg Leader — and led philanthropically by the Ryan family, minority owners of the Chicago Bears and the donors behind the new Ryan Field at Northwestern University. Questions: darragh@leaderkicking.com.