soccer icon USA

Johnny111

Gill, There are hundreds of these types of colleges that offer BTEC qualifications or A-Levels alongside training and playing with a full time football academy that's linked/partnered with the college. They typically train in the mornings and then attend college classes in the afternoons. These are for 16-19 year olds, whereas the USA is for degree level i.e 18+.

If the US seems like too much of a jump at the moment, it would do him some good to experience a very watered down version of what he would get in the US. Once he's finished college in the UK, he can then aim to study and play as a student athlete in the US as long as he is under 21. Whilst at college in the UK, he can start contacting college coaches etc, and he would then have plenty of time.

Final point- The two aren't comparable. College football academy's in England are good and have very low costs, but they can't be compared to the student athlete experience in the USA.

gillbaby

As you say Johnny, my husband, daughter and grandson have been to talk to the head chappie from Soccer Icon tonight. I haven't had a full run down on what was said but from what I can gather he's told my grandson that they wouldn't do anything with him until 2012. I can report better when I've heard the full story. Going to America would be a great opportunity for him as he is quite a good athlete as well. He's coming into football a little late as he's tried a lot of other sports before he's settled on football, some International scouts were looking at him, I believe, for running but he had an accident and was out of commission for a while and he hasn't been able to get the motivation going again. Thanks for your interest and I'll certainly tell him what you say.

alwayscautious

I stumbled on the messages regarding Soccer Icon and thought I could give some input. My son found a place in an American College through Soccer Icon last year. He had attended college here and achieved a BTEC in Sports Science but bombed out of University after year one. He then spent several months regretting his lack of commitment. Luckily, as someone who had been involved in football for many years he had friends who had decided to go to America on a football scholarship whilst studing for a degree.

Yes, he could have negotiated a deal himself with a college in America but only if he sent a video of himself playing the game. I followed him around for several games but the footage was awful. After attending a practical session where his football was assessed we had a meeting with Soccer Icon. I paid upfront but within a couple of months my son was offered a few places in America. The scholarships vary depending on the level of skill. My son is currently on a scholarship of $6000 but that includes board and food. I have other children in University here but their fees with accommodation and food are much higher. In a years time they will be even worse for new students.

My son is due home in May and will already have one year under his belt. Yes, he will be getting on by the time he gets his degree but at a time of economic depression I think university is the best place for him. I have another son here who is 22 and only in his second year of University as he took so long to find his direction - but at least he's found it now.

My son is working hard in America nd actually getting good results as he is in a quiet area with little else to do. There are several other English players there also. Admittedly, he is finding it difficult and misses home but admits that he can concentrate on the work as there are less distractions there. He also had the added benefit of doing a little travelling while there; he recently returned from a break in Panama City and enjoyed New York last year. When home at Christmas he visited new found friends in Manchester. So all in all it is a good experience for him, even though he is counting the days to come home.

The football is not all comsuming; study and the experience must be the main focus for going not a career in football. you also need to consider the cost of flights and money to spend whilst there. To date my son has not managed to get a job (although I don't think he's tried very hard yet) so I do send a small allowance. Sadly, a student loan is not an option.

This is not a decision to take lightly and it is a huge commitment but I have been impressed at the way my son has grown up over the last year. Even though he'd like to be home he knows that this is something he needs to see through; which makes me very proud.

Finally, I've been happy with Soccer Icon but there are lots of similar agencies out there - just contact them for a chat. If I had applied independently to the first college that were interested I would have been offered a less impressive scholarship; a much better negotiation can be achieved through 'middlemen'.

IndigoBlue_2

I would have thought England would be much better placed for him to develop his (if he has one) career in football rather than America. Surely?

gillbaby

Thank you always cautious for your comments. As I reported earlier my grandson went to see the people from Soccer Icon on Wednesday and although he still wants to pursue the football career I think he's had the seed of doubt put into his mind. If what you say about the cost is true I know that my daughter couldn't afford to send him to the USA. I know that it is more expensive in this country but he would stand a chance of getting a student loan here. If my hubby and I could afford to, we would help to fund him, but as we are both retired, money is now a one way street and with the economic situation as it is it's out of the question. I will certainly pass your comments on to him and they are both very interesting and constructive. As I said earlier though, Soccer Icon are not interested in him until next year for some reason, so I also have one very downhearted grandson on my hands. The gentleman from soccer icon did say that academia was more important than football and he is hopefully going to knuckle down to his studies. Maybe next year our circumstances might have improved and we will be able to help him. I'll keep everyone posted and thanks for everybody's interest.

alwayscautious

Good luck gillbaby. I hope all goes well. Just to confirm, I think $6000 is quite normal for a scholarship, it can be $10,000 a year. Top players can be lucky and obtain a full scholarship. Also it might not be such a bad thing if your grandson did have to wait another year. I'm not sure that my son would have stuck it out if he had been younger as he is quite homesick and counting the days to come home. Anyway, I hope all goes well.

Johnny111

gillbaby wrote: »

Thank you always cautious for your comments. As I reported earlier my grandson went to see the people from Soccer Icon on Wednesday and although he still wants to pursue the football career I think he's had the seed of doubt put into his mind. If what you say about the cost is true I know that my daughter couldn't afford to send him to the USA. I know that it is more expensive in this country but he would stand a chance of getting a student loan here. If my hubby and I could afford to, we would help to fund him, but as we are both retired, money is now a one way street and with the economic situation as it is it's out of the question. I will certainly pass your comments on to him and they are both very interesting and constructive. As I said earlier though, Soccer Icon are not interested in him until next year for some reason, so I also have one very downhearted grandson on my hands. The gentleman from soccer icon did say that academia was more important than football and he is hopefully going to knuckle down to his studies. Maybe next year our circumstances might have improved and we will be able to help him. I'll keep everyone posted and thanks for everybody's interest.

Even if he is looking at trying to gain a scholarship for 2012, Soccer Icon should be willing to start the recruiting process with him this summer. The earlier the better! Scholarship money is getting handed out earlier and ealier! Regarding the money and amount of scholarships...it depends what he wants or future opportunities. He may get a larger scholarship at low ranked "rubbish" place, or he may get an opportunity to play at a top ranked college but might have to pay a lot more.

Just please make sure you he gets in touch with all the other company's I listed earlier as well. And there's also nothing wrong with him contacting colleges by himself, whilst he's signed up with a company.

gillbaby

Thanks Johnny, I've give him a copy of your post, in which he was very interested, and left it with him. He has to do this himself, and if he doesn't he has nobody to blame but himself if he doesn't get on. Can I say a huge thank you to you - you've been a great help, as have all the other posters. I'm glad I'm no longer a teenager, the pressures must be enormous for them. I'm sure America would do him the world of good, as I said before he is quite a good athlete and might have gone down that route if he hadn't had an accident. (On the day he'd been offered to go to South Africa with England (or British) schools - he broke his wrist and couldn't train! I don't think that Usain Bolt has helped either! I'm sure he'll sort himself out, but at least he's started to look at other options.
I wondered if the owner of Soccer Icon read these links and didn't like someone questioning his motives etc. Or am I being paranoid!

alwayscautious

Hi - going off the subject of gillbaby's grandson (sorry to highjack the blog) I have to say I have been very impressed by Johnny 111's expertise and knowledge in this area. My son is just about to finish his first year in America but may want to consider moving colleges in the future. At the moment he is more concerned with keeping his head down, getting the grades, and graduating on time to obtain a decent degree to enable him to teach. He is currently studying in a very quiet area East America but feels reluctant to move as some credits are not transferable and he doesn't want to waste any points he may have gained which may prolong his stay.

Has Johnny 111 any advice if he wishes to consider moving? My first thought would be to contact Soccer Icon to help facilitate the move but maybe I am being naive and there are better options out there. Any further advice would be greatly appreciated. Must admit I was a bit concerned when you put Soccer Icon so far down your list of people to contact. My son still has a long way to go and I need to make sure he is in the right place.

Johnny111

What level is he playing at? Why does he want to move? Maybe he's done well and wants to find a stronger team? Different location? Not starting matches?

Sometimes kids transfer after a year or two...sometimes even three. If he wants to test the waters, he will first need a release form from his coach. Some coaches will give the release no problem, whereas others are difficult and will cause problems. It depends on the coach and his personality. Getting a release doesn't mean he has to transfer. It means as per the rules, he is now able to speak with other college coaches. If the reason is to try and play in a higher division, most coaches will be happy to give the release. He should then draw up a list of where he wants to play and why. Obviously he needs to be realistic in his choices. He should then contact the coach of the school he wants to play at and say something like " Hi Coach, My name is xyz, and I am a player from England, currently enrolled and playing at xyx. I'm a player on an athletic scholarship worth 75%. I have attached my release form to this email. I feel like I've done well at **** and have played a major role in winning the **** division. I've discussed with my coach and we feel it would be better for my development if I transfer to a college at a higher level. Here is my player profile and some footage of me playing.

You get the idea....similar to the recruiting process