County Durham teenager secures American Football contract

A teenager from County Durham is heading to Germany after securing a professional American Football contract.

Jack Curry, 19, is off to play with the Cologne Falcons after passing a trial and full medical with the German Football League team.

The initial eight month contract starts in March. He will play at their 12,000-capacity Müngersdorf Sportpark, Ostkampfbahn.

The move follows a five-year love of the sport, which started when Jack, of Eldon, Bishop Auckland, played in his school team at Woodham Academy in Newton Aycliffe.

The team competed in the British American Football League, where they were beaten finalists three years running before being accepted into the American High School League of Europe and playing in matches as far afield as Sicily.

It was here Jack was noticed by ex NFL player Cecil Martin, who invited him to play for Team Europe in San Antonio, Texas. His two week stay was followed by three months with the Bielefeld Bulldogs in the German Football League Division 2, which led to the move to the Cologne Falcons.

Jack qualified last year with a BTEC Level 3 in Sport at Bishop Auckland College, who provided financial support for his US trip.