Troy Turner has just penned a deal with Louis Rees-Zammit’s former club.
Teenager Troy Turner made the trip to America and met one of his idols Louis Rees-Zammit at Jacksonville Jaguars’ training centre in Florida.
The 14-year-old recently signed to the Gloucester Rugby academy, and alongside his rugby commitments, he is pursuing his dream to become an American footballer.
He is currently in America and is being put through his paces at A1 Sports Training, which is run by former NFL star Anthony Floyd. Alongside his training sessions, Turner visited former Wales winger Rees-Zammit and the pair chatted together.
So, a young man who will play for Gloucester’s academy, and has travelled to the States to take part in specialised American football training? Sounds familiar. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.
Of course, Rees-Zammit was at the Cherry and Whites before his move to pursue the NFL dream, and also took part in American football training over there while he was still based in the UK and playing rugby.
The pair also share remarkable speed and talent from a young age, with Rees-Zammit breaking through in the Premiership at just 18.
However, a distinct difference separates the two. While Rees-Zammit went into his current endeavour blind, certainly when it came to actual game experience, Turner already plays American football for Oxford Saints in the UK.
Posting to their Instagram account, Jaguars showed Turner getting to know Rees-Zammit and star quarter-back Trevor Lawrence.
“From Gloucester to #DUUUVAL,” wrote Jaguars.
“Gloucester Rugby academy’s very own Troy Turner stopped by training camp today to connect with his favourite Jaguars Louis Rees-Zammit and Trevor Lawrence.”
Check out the post below.
“Great stuff. Wonderful to see our Saints player, Troy getting this experience,” commented Oxford Saints.
Turner himself posted to his Instagram story, writing: “Great to see Louis Rees-Zammit at practice and hang out.”
Rees-Zammit is hoping to realise his dream of playing in the NFL as part of the 53-player roster, something which will have inspired Turner to follow his dream, too.
The former Wales star was part of the Jaguars’ 17-player practice squad last season, but was not elevated to the main 53-player roster once during the season, so he did not play.
The first campaign was more of a learning curve for him, however, and this season represents a real opportunity to make an impact now that he has learnt a lot more about the game.
He will have three opportunities to impress his coaches in pre-season games set to take place in August, ahead of the season start in September.
As for Turner, he will be heading to play for Gloucester under-15s in September. In August, he’ll be playing for Oxford Saints under-16s in the national play-offs on August 9, and then hopefully play in the Britbowl finals on August 30. He’s also been selected for the Team GB flag football side.
“We have friends out here in Florida, so we came to hang out with them, but also got an American football coach 1 on 1 while we are here called coach Floyd,” said Turner’s dad, Brad, to WalesOnline.
“We were coming to watch the Jags practice here in Jacksonville and saw a guy in the elevator in our hotel who worked for the Jags owner. He was so nice and we told him our story about how much we followed Louis Rees-Zammit. He sorted out us being able to watch practice pitch-side, meet the players and then autographs and we got to hang out with Rees-Zammit.”
