TO AUSTRALIAN KICKING SPECIALISTS:

This year I will be visiting Australia from December 3-20, 2009.

The purpose of my trip is two-fold. First, I want to fulfill a lifelong goal of experiencing the beauty of Australia. It is something I have wanted to do for as long as I can remember.

Secondly, I want to get a sense of the kicking talent Australia has to offer, and to see if there are kicking specialists who have the necessary skills to attend my 2nd Annual Free Agent Kicking Specialists Combine being held in Phoenix, Arizona in March of 2010.

In the last few years, a number of Australian kicking specialists have made their way into the ranks of the National Football League (NFL).

I believe there is still much NFL kicking talent to be discovered in Australia; talent which should be showcased to professional football Pro Personnel.

In April of 2009 I held my first Free Agent Specialists Combine in Phoenix, Arizona.
In attendance were 32 professional football teams representing 26 National Football League (NFL),  4 United Football League (UFL) and 2 Canadian Football League (CFL) teams.

The event showcased 41 kicking specialists including 16 kickers; 15 punters; and 10 snappers / utility players. Of these, 17 signed contracts with NFL, UFL or CFL Teams.

It was considered a success by both the teams and the kicking specialists who attended.

So if you are an Australian kicking specialist who thinks you have what it takes to get in the NFL, drop me a line at gzauner@aol.com. Perhaps we can meet while I am there (Melbourne) and I can see what kind of kicking skills you have. If your skills are are good enough to qualify you for my next Free Agent Specialists Combine, then I can assure you, you will be 'seen'.

Along with scouting out some good Australian kicking talent, I am also looking forward to meeting individuals from different Australian sports teams and clubs.

Even though I coached football in college for 11 years and was an NFL Special Teams Coordinator for 13 years, I have been teaching the ‘Art of Kicking’ for over 40 years, and I have the greatest respect for those individuals who apply this skill to soccer, rugby and Aussie-rules football.

I am looking forward to sharing a few ‘kicking’ stories with you while I am 'down under'.

COACH ZAUNER

A FEW TESTIMONIALS...

ON MY ABILITY TO EVALUATE KICKING SPECIALIST TALENT:

Brian Billick / former Head Coach of the Baltimore Ravens said, “I’ve known and coached with Gary for 28 years!  As a College and NFL Head Coach I have seen him not only find kicking personnel but also coach and develop many kicking specialists to be more consistent!  He is the best when it comes to finding, evaluating, analyzing and coaching kicking specialists. Gary Zauner is the best in the business!”

Frank Gilliam / former, Minnesota Vikings Vice President Player Personnel said, “Gary was responsible for targeting, evaluating and signing many of our kicking personnel.  His knowledge and evaluations of kicking personnel were in-valuable to myself and my scouting staff especially when it came to free agency and the draft.  I’ve been in the NFL with the Vikings for 36 years and nobody knows kicking personnel and how to coach them better than Gary!” 

ON MY 2009 FREE AGENT SPECIALISTS COMBINE:

Bobby DePaul / Senior Director of Pro Personnel for the Chicago Bears said, "This was the best run Free Agent Combine I have participated in during my 21 years working as a coach or scout in the NFL. This effort clearly demonstrated that Coach Zauner has the knowledge needed to run an efficient Combine and effectively evaluate specialists.   I will be looking forward to an expanded field of specialists next year."

Jim Fassel / Former Head Coach N.Y. Giants & Current Head Coach Las Vegas UFL Team said, “Recently my UFL staff attended Coach Zauner’s Free Agent Specialists Combine in Phoenix, Arizona.  Me and my staff have participated in many free agent combines throughout the years searching for football talent and all agreed this was the best run combine any of us have attended.  The field of talent was handpicked and of the highest caliber.  This is 'the' Kicking Combine to attend if you’re a professional football team or aspiring kicking specialist.”

Joe Marciano / Houston Texans Special Teams Coordinator said, "Coach Zauner has coached in the NFL as a Special Teams Coordinator for 13 years. Coach Zauner knows the standards that NFL Special Teams Coaches want and need of their kicking specialists. His Combine was run extremely efficiently for the coaches, Pro Personnel and players. I believe if you're an NFL Special Teams Coach, Director of Personnel or kicking specialist, Coach Zauner's Combine is 'the' event to attend.”

Russ Purnell / Special Teams Coordinator Jacksonville Jaguars said, “Gary put together a highly organized, efficient and competitive NFL Free Agent Specialists Combine that featured very realistic skills tests and top level participants...it was as good a camp as I have been to”.

John Fassel / Special Teams Coordinator Oakland Raiders said, "Coach Zauners 1st Annual Kickers / Snappers / Punters combine in Arizona was a great success! What made the combine so great was 1) the high quality and quantity of NFL caliber Kickers / Punters / Snappers, 2) the organization and pace of the entire workout was extremely well planned… He’s the best! I look forward to being in Arizona next year for Coach Zauners 2nd annual Kickers /Punters / Snappers Combine."

Ray Rychleski / Special Teams Coordinator Indianapolis Colts said,  “As a coach I can really appreciate how well and precise the entire event was run.  Many of the other special teams coaches and personnel people in the stands who have gone to other combines remarked that this was the best run free agent camp they had gone to and will be back again next year.   Coming from the college coaching ranks I would think any college or free agent kicking specialists that wants to get exposure to the NFL should make Coach Zauner’s combine a must to attend."

CLICK TO VIEW TESTIMONIAL FROM SOUTH AFRICA'S (IN MY OPINION) FUTURE HALL OF FAMER GARY ANDERSON

Gary Anderson, a 23 Year NFL Kicker - 1998 Pro Bowl & Perfect Season said, “I had the privilege of working with Coach Gary Zauner for 5 Years while playing for the Minnesota Vikings. Gary is easily the most knowledgeable kicking coach in the country.  His approach of blending all the Technical aspects of kicking with a practical common sense approach, is one of Gary’s finest qualities. He can improve any kicker in a very short period of time and put you on a precise road to success. He is simply the Very Best”.