Holland not ready to give up his football dream just yet
Musketeer defensive back trying to raise funds to play overseas
By Thomas Gase tgase@theacorn.com

IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers MORE GAMES TO PLAY- Moorpark senior Dakota Holland will continue his football career in Australia this summer.

Moorpark High senior Dakota Holland's football career as a Musketeer ended nearly four months ago when his team lost in the CIFSouthern Section Northern Division championship game to Canyon 24-22.

Holland, however, still wants to play the game he loves, and now has the chance to continue playing football in Australia.

This July, Holland will be part of one of the many teams from the United States representing the Down Under Sports Program, which sends athletes to Australia and New Zealand to compete in football games against other American, Australian and New Zealand teams.

While in Australia, Holland will also get a chance to learn the culture while teaching the public about the American sport of football, which in Australia they call "gridiron."

"It's a onceinalifetime opportunity for me," Holland said. "It was never in my wildest dreams that I would be able to go and visit Australia but also play football there and represent my country."

Holland first learned about the Down Under Sports Program two months ago, and after seeing a slide presentation last month in Clovis, the defensive back was sold.

"During the year the program has scouts that come to our games and recruit what they think will be the best players to represent them," Holland said.

"At that time, however, I wasn't giving it much thought. After our tough loss to Canyon I actually didn't want to think about football at all, but after the meeting in Clovis I knew this was something I really wanted to do. I knew if I didn't go it would be something that I would end up regretting later in life."

Moorpark High head coach Tim Lins is glad to see Holland continue his football career.

"Any time one of our players gets to continue playing and see other parts of the world, we are very excited as coaches," Lins said.

"He's a very smart defensive player that was always good at understanding defensive situations for us. He seemed to be a ball hawk by getting many interceptions, especially his junior season."

In order to pay for the 14-hour plane trip to Australia, Holland is currently seeking sponsors.

While out in public, Holland will be wearing a polo shirt with the logos of his sponsors on the back. So far Holland has gotten support from the Chiropractic Sports Institute in Moorpark and THQ, a video game manufacturer that has an office in Agoura Hills.

"He's had his friends, coaches and the rest of the community help support him," Holland's mother, Kam, said. "I'm hoping this can help him have a great time playing in Australia."

Holland will also be acting as an ambassador for America while he interacts with the local Australians and New Zealanders.

Holland doesn't meet his new teammates until he's at the airport, but the long flight should give him more than enough time to learn the playbook.

"I just really love the game, and after playing on a team for three years I think it will be no problem playing with another team," Holland said. "I can't wait to go."

Holland is still looking for two more companies to make an $800 contribution so he can wear their logos on his polo shirt. If you have any questions about possibly making a contribution, call the Hollands at (805) 529-7890.