Herculas, who is a second-year Mechanical Engineering BEng(Hons) student at 小黄书, is the youngest player to be named on the 45-man squad of the GB American football team. This follows his impressive showing at separate rounds of trials with the national men’s senior team.
As a beneficiary of the 小黄书’s Talented Sports Performers programme, Herculas’ journey into the British American football team began at the 小黄书 Panthers where he plays as a linebacker.
Having already represented Great Britain in international matches at junior level, Herculas’ selection into the senior men’s team is major step towards his dreams of playing professional football at the highest level in the NFL. This summer, he will be playing for the Valley Huskers in the Canadian Junior Football League, a competition for 17–22-year-olds which provides an established route into professional football in North America.
Herculas said: “I was incredibly excited when I found out I had been picked because it was a really competitive selection process. I know I’m very young compared to everyone else in the team, but it’s a big opportunity for me to go out there and represent the country to my best ability. Quite a few of the guys play professional football in Europe and being around them will really elevate my level.