soccer icon USA

gillbaby

Once again, I thank everyone for your replies and input. I'm passing them all onto my grandson so that he can read and digest the comments for himself. I think the fact that the courses will not have the outcome he wants is putting him off slightly. He's quite an intelligent lad and I think if he could just come back down to earth he could then read all these comments and make a more informed decision for himself. Thanks again everyone.

andygrae

i was looking for something else and saw this

my son managed to go to America on a FULL soccer scholarship which was found for him through Firstpoint USA - who i must say have been really good especially Andrew Kean who runs the company

they like soccer icon charge a fee

we did think and try to get him a university ourselves without any success so in the end we paid the money

my son got a full 5 year scholarship and has had an amazing time travelling thoughout America to soccer games
you may want to take into account things that will need to be paid for after the company fee

1. if you dont get a full scholarship you will need to make the money up
2. flights to and from America (not ones related to soccer matches)
3. insurance - we get his from Coe-connections
4. clothes through out the time he is living there
5. pocket money

he will not be entitled to student finance from this country

one thing i would say before paying your money is he needs to be resonably bright - he will need to sit the American SAT and they will also take a score off his English exams to give him a grade point average

hope this helps

gillbaby

Thank you Andy. I will certainly tell him what you have said. He is quite bright he gained 16 A-C passes in his GCSE's, 5 of which were A*'s. The financial side of things is certainly worrying me, as my daughter is divorced and gets no financial help from her ex at all. We help as much as we can, but as we are both now retired, money is a one way street for us. We obviously want to give him the best opportunities we can as going to university in the UK will cost an arm and a leg. He did want to study law, but isn't enjoying the course as much as he could. The thing is he couldn't do a subject like law and football as well! According to the gentleman at Soccer Icon they won't look at him until next year anyway, so we (I think) have time to assess all possibilities. Your comments have helped - as has everybodies - and we have a lot to mull over. Thanks.s

alwayscautious

Hi Johnny 111. My son's scholarship is secured at 4 years - at least that is what I was led to belive by Soccer Icon . If thats not the case I'll be complaining openly!. He is however, hoping to finish it sooner. I, on the other hand am hoping that his offer is improved over the years. As my mother-in-law always said "I may as well dream here as in bed". He is working hard and training hard so hopefully he will be considered an asset but who knows - theres nothing so frivolous as folk.

Johnny111

alwayscautious wrote: »

Hi Johnny 111. My son's scholarship is secured at 4 years - at least that is what I was led to belive by Soccer Icon . If thats not the case I'll be complaining openly!. He is however, hoping to finish it sooner. I, on the other hand am hoping that his offer is improved over the years. As my mother-in-law always said "I may as well dream here as in bed". He is working hard and training hard so hopefully he will be considered an asset but who knows - theres nothing so frivolous as folk.

Hi, this could be interesting and also give the original poster an idea of what's to come when using recruiting services.

If you could find out and let us know that would be great. I don't have time to look through the NAIA rules but I know in the NCAA scholarships can be awarded only annually. Check with Soccer Icon and get your son to check with his athletic department.

My guess is the scholarship is an annual award.

Johnny111

Any news on either situation?

gillbaby

Hi Johnny. No, nothing happening at the moment. Grandson has settled down to studying for his exams. He's going to go down the road of approaching local clubs and concentrate on his exams. I think that the fact that the gentleman from Soccer Icon told him that none of the boys that had taken up the scholarships had ended up playing professional soccer has made him stop and think. On saying that - watch this space. Thanks for all your interest.

Johnny111

Okay...Please don't just take Soccer Icon's advice and what they say as fact. If none of Soccer Icon's boys have progressed onto professional careers then that could be an indication of the level of player that they take on board. I don't have the time but I could provide you with a list of players that have moved from the UK to the US on soccer scholarships in recent years and have gone onto to professional careers.

Here's one for a start http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kj6--mpAYg&feature=related

Zakuani was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and later moved to United Kingdom and played for the Arsenal F.C. youth teams before enrolling at the University of Akron and starring on their soccer team. As a sophomore, after leading the nation in scoring with 20 goals and 7 assists, and finishing as runner-up for the Hermann Trophy, awarded to the nation's best collegiate soccer player, Zakuani was selected by the Sounders as the number one pick in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft on a Generation Adidas contract. In 2008, he played for the Cleveland Internationals in the Premier Development League. Zakuani turned down a larger contract offer from Preston North End to sign with Major League Soccer.

Zakuani is proof of what is attainable through a soccer scholarship at a US University. Zakuani will now be playing against players like David Beckham, Freddy Adu and Juan Pablo Angel as well as continuing his education through Generation Adidas. This could be you!

gillbaby

Thanks Johnny. I won't be taking anyone's word as gospel at the moment. Soccer Icon won't do anything with my grandson until next year anyway, due to his age. (Which they knew at the time of the trials). On the plus side - he's now knuckled down to his studies, as he'll need decent grades for a USA college. I must admit I was surprised when told that non of the boys sent through them, had gone on to professional careers. I would have thought, in their own interests, that at least one boy would have attained professional status. I couldn't tell you how well (or not) my grandson can play, as I wouldn't know a good footballer from a bad one!! I'll keep everyone informed anyway. Thanks again.

lorietta

Hmm, is anyone else suspicious that the posters promoting this seem to have only posted in this thread, it kind of seems a bit fishy to me...

Nothing to say on the subject of soccer scholarships tbh, but if he wants to practise law in england after his degree he will definately need to study here, or take a conversion course after his degree.