About First Point USA

Company Background

FirstPoint USA was developed in 2001 by Managing Director & Founder Andrew Kean, in order to provide assistance to sportsmen and women who wished to pursue a full-time academic and sporting career in the USA.

A product of the US scholarship system himself, Andrew started the company with the assistance of the Princes Trust on his return from completing a soccer scholarship at the University of Cincinnati. During his time at Cincinnati, Andrew received the prestigious ‘All-American’ award on two occasions after being voted by the Nations’ coaches. He still remains the only Cincinnati player in their history to be named as an All-American.

Since 2001, FirstPoint USA has become one of the most successful companies of its kind anywhere in the world, and provides assistance to over 2000 American coaches who aim to recruit the best athletes in the world. FirstPoint’s success is based on the excellent academic and sporting performances of the clients placed in the USA, and the fact the company is the only one of its kind to be supported by the College Board to host the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) anywhere in the world. The credibility developed from FirstPoint’s unique and comprehensive ‘Scholarship Program’ means that both college coach and FirstPoint client are taken through the scholarship process step-by-step and day-by-day.

With its huge success, FirstPoint has earned recognition both nationally and internationally through various awards and organisational relationships.

As of 2006, FirstPoint USA had assisted over 1000 international student-athletes with their placement on scholarships in the USA. During this time, they have raised close to $80 million in scholarship funds on their behalf.

The company currently has office bases in Glasgow, Scotland and Melbourne, Australia.

TIMELINE:

2001:
Company Founded with the Princes Trust.
First client, Richard Moodie, signed to the ‘Scholarship Program’.
18 Student-Athletes placed on scholarships.
Andrew Kean nominated as ‘Scotsman of the Year’ Finalist with Sir Jackie Stewart (World Formula 1 Champion), Dr Ian Wilmut (Roslin Institute for Cloning), and Lord Robertson of Port Ellen (Secretary General of NATO).

2002:
Andrew Kean nominated for Shell LiveWire National Entrepreneur of the Year and Princes Youth Business Trust Entrepreneur of the Year
FirstPoint USA places their first ever Basketball clients on scholarship in the USA
The 1st ‘Soccer Showcase’ is held in Largs, Scotland.
Company moves to larger premises at 214 Bath Street in Glasgow, Scotland.

2003:
The 200th FirstPoint client is successfully placed on scholarship in the United States.
The company introduces ‘lifetime’ commitment to all clients that they will continue to receive a service from the company until they are satisfied with the scholarship they receive.

2004:
FirstPoint has clients representing colleges within every level of collegiate athletics, NCAA Division DI, Division II, Division III, the NAIA, and the NJCAA.
10-Step scholarship program is introduced to FirstPoint clients
FirstPoint become corporate members of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.
Scouting positions become available within the UK for the purpose of assessing the ability of potential clients.

2005:
FirstPoint opens Australian office at 1 Queens Road in Melbourne.
FirstPoint becomes the only commercial company in the world with permission to host the SAT exam in the United Kingdom and Australia.
16 FirstPoint clients named as All-American award winners in their respective sports
FirstPoint client, Daniel Willett, breaks US PGA Luke Donald’s freshman scoring records in NCAA DI golf.
The company places their first ever American Football player on scholarship.
Matthew Durand becomes the 1st Australian client to be placed on scholarship in the USA.

2006:
1000th client placed successfully on scholarship at American college.
Andrew Kean nominated for Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
FirstPoint USA adds new elements to the ‘Scholarship Program’ to make it more comprehensive for its clients.
Several FirstPoint clients become professionals in their sport after graduation, including Chris Edwards who is drafted by the Detroit Ignition soccer team.
FirstPoint ‘teams-up’ with several professional football clubs, PGA professional golfers, and colleges to provide services to their respective students and players.
Scouting Network grows to cover the likes of Scotland, England, Ireland, Wales, Iceland, France, Japan, Malaysia, Australia, and New Zealand.

Staff
Without the excellent attributes of all members of the FirstPoint staff, the level of service provided to our clients would certainly not be as high.

FirstPoint has an extremely strong base of consultants who are individually assigned to manage each client file personally. Their expertise either as professional or collegiate athletes is unparalleled and provides an extra advantage and credibility when dealing with coaches in the USA.