While many football fans will crowd around their TVs to watch the best American players face-off at the Super Bowl on Sunday night, many Maritime players are celebrating their new shot at playing in the Canadian Football League.

East Coast players can now be nominated to take part in CFL scouting events.

Until now, only players from the Canadian Interuniversity Sport, or CIS, league could take part in the evaluation camps where scouts look at athletes' fitness and skill.

Mark MacDougall, head coach of the Holland College Hurricanes, said last year one of his players took part in a similar event, proving athletes from the Atlantic Football League can measure up.

"It's kind of year-to-year you'll nominate kids that you think are outstanding. You won't send somebody unless you feel they're somebody who's of that caliber, but I'm hopeful that we'll send one or other teams might send one each year," he said.

"The thing is the door's open there now, so a kid can play here and know they'll still get a look."

There are four teams in the Atlantic Football League including the Holland College Hurricanes, the Saint John Seawolves, the University of New Brunswick Red Bombers and the Dalhousie Tigers.

The next regional event is in Quebec City in March.