Hi, im going for an interview and have a trial with first point usa to try and get an american scholarship for football. BUT have heard that if you are chosen by First Point they ask for £2000 to take you on to try and get you a scholarship.
So has anyone used First Point before? Or know if you actuly need to go through an agency to get a football scholarship in america.
Thanks.
I don't know anything about First Point, but I do know that while such agencies may make the process easier, you don't need to go through them to get a scholarship. You can contact coaches directly with your cv, a letter of introduction/interest, and a highlights/game dvd (or link to youtube video, etc).
With international players, what coaches will want to know is:
1) Are you eligible for admissions into their university, from an academic standpoint.
2) Are you an amateur. Have you ever been a registered professional. If the answer to this is yes, expect complications, but they can be dealt with.
Whatever you do, do not go through an agency. Ive just arrived on a 4 year scholarship in St Louis and I didnt go through any agencies as they just mess you around.
First things first, mail directly to a number of colleges. The NCAA and NAIA websites will give you the rankings of the teams. Generally the top 25 colleges have excellent scouting networks so it may be difficult to get a place in these colleges. When you mail these colleges, state your history eg. clubs, trials, youth caps etc. Even tell a few pork pies if you need!! If you have played professional or have ever had fees paid to you (even if you got free food on a trip), do not tell them. Ive played pro in Ireland and I have been told by my coach not to mention it.
Next of all gather together all academic results you have and send these to www.ece.edu for evaluation. You will also need copies of bank statements and letters of recommendation from your previous school and college. If you are from outside the US (like me) you will need an acceptance letter from your potential American college and an I 20 form will be sent out. This is the form that allows you gain your visa.
Any other questions, just ask or PM me.
Good Luck!
Thanks for the replies i'll look in to that cheers.
i went to one of there trial games after my release from canvey island in 2005 , i found it to be a waste of time personally , some of the players playing in the game wouldnt have got into the local sunday team .. but it seemed that if they was willing to pay the £3000 odd , that they would get a scholarship.
on the day i was there with two other lads from canvey .. and two lads from Southend Utd
The two lads from canvey didnt end up going , the two from Southend did , i think perhaps the PFA payed there fee's .. who knows , but i wouldnt pay that type of money , another of my pals who was at canvey went over there and didnt pay a penny !
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