Earlier in the year, we posted on our blog that FirstPoint USA client, Mitchell Hart, was to take part in the London Marathon, raising money for the charity Shelter.
We’re pleased to update that Mitchell raised a whopping £2000 for the charity, running the 26 miles in under 4 and a half hours!
Well done Mitchell, from everyone at FirstPoint USA!
Earlier in the week, we caught up with Alex Brown, who last year secured a soccer scholarship to the University of West Alabama through FirstPoint USA. We asked Alex to reflect on his experiences, 1 year in:
1. What originally made you choose FirstPoint USA, and are you still glad that you did?
I originally chose first point USA as I was recommended it by a friend and thought I would give it a shot. Turns out it was a great choice and I wouldn’t change it for the world.
2. What has been the highlight of your first year at UWA?
The highlight of my first year was on October 28th 2012. It was the last game of the season and also my birthday. My parents had flown over to surprise me and were watching the game. It was 1-1 at full time and we headed into overtime. I ended up scoring a lucky rebound off my back to win the game, I couldn’t believe my luck!
3. What has been the hardest adjustment you’ve had to make since moving to the US?
Trying to balance school work with training and traveling for matches was hard at first. I found that if you don’t think you have enough time you can make enough time regardless of how busy you are.
4. What do you miss the most about the
I miss my mums cooking the most! Nothing beats it!
5. How often did you get to go back to the UK in your first year?
In my first year, I came home at Christmas for four weeks and now I’m home for may June and July. It’s a welcomed break before I’m back in August for the start of pre season.
6. Have you had any chances to get a job alongside your studies and athletic training?
I’ve been lucky enough to be involved in some coaching with the local children at high schools and various soccer camps which has been a really good experience!
7. How do you think the focus on athletics differs in the USA when compared to UK universities?
There is a huge difference! In the USA, college athletes are treated differently to normal students. Training everyday with 2 games a week is something you won’t see in the UK at a university. Having specialist athletic trainers at every session who offer any treatment before and after games and sessions is almost like being professional. They money spent on top of the range facilities is incredible and makes the whole experience even better!
8. Can you describe a typical day in the life of a soccer student-athlete at UWA?
During season:
Wake up 7:30am eat breakfast
Attend class between 8:00 and 3:00
Lunch 12:30
Training 3:30-5:30/6
Treatment in the training room 5:30-6:30
Dinner 6:45
Homework 8-10
Sleep 10:30
9. What advice would you have for anyone considering a soccer scholarship to the USA?
Anyone who wants to carry on playing football 24/7 and earning a degree at the same time, it’s a perfect opportunity. But, it’s not always easy and there will be times that are hard, especially being away from home for long periods of time. You will have to be mentally strong and pull through!
10. What are your plans for the summer break now that you’re home?
Having recently got home in England, I’m planning on spending as much time with family and friends. Working and earning some money ready for next semester and sticking to my fitness plan so I’m 100% ready for the start of pre-season!
FirstPoint USA would like to thank Alex for taking the time to answer these questions, and wish him the best of luck in his future with soccer!
Do you think you have what it takes to secure a scholarship to study & play in the USA, just like Alex? Apply now for your assessment!
The majority of FirstPoint USA staff have been on soccer scholarships to America, but what if they had a chance to do it all again? We decided to set up some questions for our staff, to ask them if they could go out to The States again to play a different sport, what sport would they choose? They also chose their ideal state and ideal university. For a lot of the answers it showed that some of the guys fancied playing golf in sunny California, or being big, tough, American footballers (all clearly dreams!) Have a look at what the staff did, where they originally studied, and what they would do now if they could do it all over again, playing a different sport…
Andrew Kean
Our CEO played and studied for Cincinnati in Ohio would love to go back as his bigger build and play American Football in California but study at Stanford University.
Nicole Montoya
Our California Girl went to Binghamton University in New York, but would like to have played Volleyball if she hadn’t chosen soccer. Her ideal state to work/live/study in would be Hawaii and she would have loved to go to Columbia University. Smart in the sun!
Simone Enrici
Simone went to Martin Methodist College in Tennessee but would have liked to live in sunny California playing basketball (this is definitely a dream for the wee guy!) University of Las Vegas caught Simone’s eye, and he would have liked to have studied there also.
John Paul Boyle
JP went on a soccer scholarship to Hartwick College in New York, where he had a successful soccer career, but he thinks it would be “cool” to do Swimming and Diving in Texas. If he could go to the states again on a scholarship, he would want to go to UCLA.
James Beggs
James played soccer for the University of Mobile in Alabama, but is one of the guys that would love to chill playing golf in North Carolina. He would also like to study at University of Notre Dame.
Barry Neville
Barry attended New York’s Binghamton University but would enjoy playing Basketball in Nevada, Las Vegas, to be precise! He would also like to have gained a scholarship at the University of Oregon.
John Crawley
John was lucky enough to play at the University of Las Vegas. He would now like to be strong enough to play American Football in California and like Barry, attend the University of Oregon.
Andy McNab & Kevin McCann
Both Andy and Kev would love to play golf everyday in California. Andy went to Salem University in West Virginia and Kevin Went to Xavier University in Ohio. Andy wants to study at the Stanford University where as Kevin would like to study at Sandiego State University.
We also asked some of our other staff who didn’t get the opportunity to go to America on a scholarship and what their ideal sport, University and State would be. Take a look at some of their answers.
Rosie Witham (Media)
Rosie has started off her tennis career well, so said she liked the idea of playing Tennis in Oregon at the University of Oregon. We all know how much she loves this school!
Craig Clark (Media)
Craig would have loved to go on a soccer scholarship. He’s played soccer most of his life and hearing all the stories from the other guys in work makes him feel like he’s missed out on something! Craig would like to have studied in New York at Cornell University.
Nicolle Crawford (administrator)
Nicole would love to do Equestrian as a scholarship. She would love to have done this in Florida at the University of Florida.
Megan Hammond (Client Services)
Megan dreams of being as flexible and talented to gain a Cheerleading Scholarship in California. She also liked the look of studying at Princeton University.
Grant MacKenzie
Grant was a professional cyclist back in the day but looking back as a strong guy now he would have loved to have gained an American Football Scholarship in California and study at the University of Berkley.
Where would you love to study and why? Join in the chat @firstpointusa1
American college soccer is regarded as a major sport, with approximately 20,000 players competing within the NCAA, NAIA & NJCAA associations. There are over 1400 + Women’s college soccer programs at universities across the United States, with a maximum of 14 scholarships for a DI team, 9.9 for DII, 12 for NAIA programs and 18 for a NJCAA program.
American soccer coaches will all be looking for different players from different positions to make up their teams. Generally, they will be looking for a talented young athletes who have the ability or potential, are committed to the game, and have a good sporting background. Position specific skills are attractive and can give you an edge above the rest.
What is involved in the FirstPoint USA Soccer Scholarship Program?
All potential soccer student-athletes follow the same path through our program, and each stage assumes you have successfully passed the one before:
You can find a more detailed checklist of our full process here.
We’ve also recently featured several blog posts from a current FirstPoint USA women’s soccer player, Corrie MacDonald, which give a great insight into the FirstPoint program, from someone who is experiencing it first-hand. Corrie has written posts about her assessment, interview, client games and soccer showcase, we recommend checking these out!
What is it like to be a international female collegiate soccer player in the USA?
We like to keep in touch with our clients throughout their student-athlete careers, and have been lucky enough to steal a few minutes from their busy schedules and ask them about their experiences playing soccer State-side.
Compared to the UK, the US have a never die attitude towards their college sports. Fair play and athleticism are the emphasised at every game. They take everything so seriously and are fiercely competitive which will make you into the best possible player you can be
FirstPoint USA helped me when I was going through the process, and gave me a lot of good advice. I feel the staff put a lot of time and effort in securing the right place for me in America
Can you stand out and be noticed on the pitch?
We are holding soccer trials throughout 2013, at various locations up and down the country. Click here for a full list of trials. In addition to our mixed soccer trials, we are holding women’s only soccer assessments in London and Lancashire this month. Click here to register for these women’s only events, and you could be on your way to the USA!
Do you think you have what it takes to secure a scholarship to study & play in the USA? Apply now for your assessment!
Do you think you have what it takes to secure a scholarship to study in the USA while playing your favourite sport? Apply now for your assessment!
Check out this interactive-infographic, detailing the top 50 colleges in the USA. Click to explore!
Do you think you have what it takes to secure a scholarship to study in the USA while playing your favourite sport? Apply now for your assessment!
We’re pleased to see recent soccer scholarship recipient, Gary Giffin, has been featured in the East Kilbride News!
From the article:
The American dream beckons for Westwood footballer Gary Giffin after he signed a four-year soccer scholarship at Midland University. The 18-year-old will head out to Nebraska on July 17 to embark on his journey towards becoming a professional footballer with the FirstPoint USA programme.
And the central midfielder, who has played for Rangers and Ayr United boys’ clubs, revealed he turned down a host of offers from other institutions in New York and South Carolina in favour of the team in America’s heartland. He told the News: “I had offers from a number of colleges throughout the US, but I’m really glad I chose Midland.
“I had an offer from Feather River College in Quincy, California one from USC Salkehatchie in South Carolina and one from Munroe College in New York. But I choose Fremont, Nebraska because I met with Midland’s Craig Hughes down in London to speak about a deal and he made a real impression. Craig told me about Midland and the way they treat their players. It’s out of this world.
“To me, Midland is like a professional team and the facilities they have are second to none – apparently a lot better than all the Scottish Premier League teams. Sean Fraser, the head coach at Midland, has been very good to me and thinks very highly of me so I can’t wait to get started.”
The former Duncanrig Secondary School pupil was recommended to FirstPoint USA by his coach at Rangers, and Gary was soon playing in trial games before passing the interview stage with flying colours.
He was then offered a four-year deal and can’t wait to get started this summer. He added: “I was so proud when I was offered the contract.
“It’s what I have always wanted to do – and now it’s real. I am most looking forward to progressing in my soccer career, traveling America, meeting new people and taking on new challenges. But being treated like a professional footballer will be a big thing for me, too. It’s a very big step but it’s one I’m thriving on. I think I will cope well with all the challenges this will throw at me and although I’m sure I’ll get a bit homesick, that’s just something I’ll have to deal with.
“In the next four years, I hope to achieve great things, get noticed as a college player in the States and make a name for myself by helping Midland win titles. After those four years, the ultimate goal is to play professional soccer .
“I want to thank my mum and dad, who have stuck by me my whole life in football for helping me get to this stage.
“And I also I want to thank Sean Fraser and Craig Hughes from Midland for giving me this chance to achieve my dreams.”
Read more: East Kilbride News
Well done Gary, we wish you the best of luck in the USA!
Do you think you have what it takes to secure a soccer scholarship to the USA, like Gary? Apply now for your assessment!
Do you think you have what it takes to secure a scholarship to study in the USA while playing your favourite sport? Apply now for your assessment!
