Biography

Full Name: Jy Bond (Bondy)

Place of Birth: Melbourne, Australia

DOB: 22/04/1979

Height: 6'3 Weight: 220 pounds

Position: Punter

Objective: To make a career in the NFL as a consistent, solid performer and reliable team player.

Experience: Jy signed a 2 year contract with Miami Dolphins in February 2009. Jy was brought in as competition for the team’s existing Punter, Brandon Fields, in the 09/10 pre-season. Jy trained with the team for 5 months, participating in Rookie camps & 20 OTAs - but Fields fought it out to retain his spot & Jy was released in June 2009.

Current Status: Since leaving the Dolphins, Jy’s never-say-die attitude and unwavering resolve have pushed his training even harder. He went on to train with fellow Aussies Sav Rocca (Punter, Philadelphia Eagles) and the legendary Aussie punting pioneer and pro-bowler, Darren Bennett (San Diego Chargers, Minnesota Vikings) for a couple of months to further hone his craft. Revitalised by this training and further fuelled by their belief in his talent, Jy is now mentally and physically primed to secure himself an opportunity at a new club. And he has a steely determination to succeed.

About Jy: Jy was not brought up living & breathing NFL, though he did develop an early interest in the game from the other side of the world. One of his first ever gifts from his father when he was young was a Raiders helmet & NFL ball. This gift planted a seed of thought in his mind, a seed which would come to flourish into a career path several years later...

Jy was born in Australia and grew up in the south eastern suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria playing the local footy code of choice, Australian Rules Football. Jy was quick to demonstrate his talent as a junior footballer from an early age, winning numerous individual awards - and his obvious athleticism was not limited to just one sport. Whilst growing up he also played representative baseball and competed in track & field, showing the markings of a well-rounded athlete.

This natural sporting prowess and ability was not surprising as Jy comes from a very talented sporting family. Both his father (Graeme Bond, Richmond Football Club premiership player) & his grandfather (Ray Bond, Melbourne Football Club) played elite level Australian Rules Football. His mother represented her state in netball, a sport which his sister also excelled in, and his-step brother played college baseball in the USA. So Jy's pursuit of a sporting career is somewhat inevitable!

Jy continued his Aussie Rules success throughout his late teens & into his early 20s, playing at a semi-professional level and won several club & competition accolades. Many thought he was set to follow in his father’s footsteps when he was drafted by the Richmond Football Club (elite level Australian Rules club) under the father/son rule. However Jy did not end up playing senior football with the team as he felt the time was right to pursue other interests. He went on to complete his Bachelor of Business & Marketing and obtained full-time professional work – but his heart and his personal passion remained entrenched in sport.

During Jy’s Australian Rules career he established himself as a solid individual performer, consistent team player and strong club contributor. As a player his trademark strengths were his hard attack on the ball, willingness to put his body on the line and in particular his prodigious kick.

It was this big kick that first attracted the eye of college coaches when he was over in Texas visiting his step brother on his college baseball scholarship. Jy automatically had a natural affinity with the uniquely shaped NFL ball and after encouragement by the college coach he realised that punting was something which would allow him to utilise his elite athletic DNA whilst forging a career he was passionate about at the same time...and from here his real love affair with NFL punting began.

After this revelation he returned back to Australia and began training immediately. Shortly after commencing his training, punting coaches in the US learned of Jy and tried to coax him over there with opportunities to further develop at college, however after already completing college in Australia he wasn’t convinced it was the right move. Jy knew he had to continue his learning curve and he did this under the guidance of Nathan Chapman (former Green Bay Packers Punter), who started coaching & developing him, providing a solid grounding of the basics. Nathan’s tutelage also gave Jy's confidence a real boost that he did indeed have the right attributes to become an NFL punter.

Jy continued his training with Chapman for a few years and it wasn’t long before a representative from Green Bay to come to Australia to witness his student in action. As expected, Jy excelled and impressed, however it was the off-season and despite Green Bay’s interest – Jy felt that that the timing wasn't quite right and that he still had further room to improve. Green Bay later followed up and urged Jy to go over during the 2008 season, but the tough judgement call was made to remain in Australia until the end of the season in order to complete a full pre-season with a club.

During this waiting period Jy started regularly kicking with Sav Rocca and his belief in his ability continued to gain traction - particularly when Sav secured himself a punting role at the Philadelphia Eagles. When Sav departed for the US, Jy followed in Sav’s footsteps playing with the Western Crusaders in the Victorian league and was soon approached to play in the Victorian and Australian representative sides.

At the start of 2009, Jy felt the time was finally right to head to the US for trials. Green Bay were the first to meet him for a trial in San Francisco, and ESPN keenly covered his plight with interest. Whilst Green Bay were making up their mind, Jy flew himself to Miami, contacted the Dolphins and requested a trial. After an extremely impressive display he was effectively signed on the spot.

From here Jy took part in Rookie Camps, Mini Camps and 20 OTAs until he was released by the Dolphins in June 2009 when they opted to maintain their existing Punter, Brandon Fields. Miami credited Jy with pushing Fields to improve his form and Jy was thankful for the opportunity, departing from the club on very good terms. He took with him a wealth of learnings about how NFL teams operate – learnings which will stand him in good stead for his next endeavour. While with the Dolphins Jy also worked out at elite training facility ‘Perfect Competition’ in his own time - working alongside the likes of Chad Ochocinco, Maurice Jones-Drew, Plaxico Burress & Fred Taylor.

After being released by Miami, Jy became more determined than ever to fulfil his NFL aspirations. He promptly called on his former training partner Sav Rocca and started training with both Sav & Dave Akers from the Philadelphia Eagles. He then headed over to San Diego where he lodged with and was trained & mentored by Darren Bennett for a few months before returning home to Melbourne due to visa requirements. Since being home Jy has continued his training to ensure he’s in peak condition for his return to the US at the start of 2010 when he hopes to secure a role with a new NFL club.

Pizan wrote:I'm more concerned with his directional kicking and placement. I rather have another feagles than Rodney Williams.

Giants | J. Bond kicked with both legs during his tryout
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Tue, 23 Mar 2010 16:38:46 -0700

Ralph Vacchiano, of the New York Daily News, reports New York Giants general manager Jerry Reese said during an interview on Sirius NFL Radio that P Jy Bond kicked with both legs during his tryout for the team. Reese said, "First time I've ever seen it. I thought he was just messing around. I said 'Is this guy kidding?' He kicks with his left foot on the pooch punts and he kicks with his right foot when he spirals the thing. He's different, but he's got a powerful leg. We'll see what he can do."