WHY CHOOSE THIS PATHWAY
By choosing this pathway you are able to study towards a university degree (of your choice) at a subsidised cost. Receive not only high quality coaching, but top class facilities, both athletically and academically. Student-athletes get to experience a new culture, play their sport all over the United States, and make friends for life. This pathway allows student-athletes to grow their network and meet and learn from people from all over the world. This pathway can lead to many more opportunities for life after university.
WHY CHOOSE PLAYER PATHWAY USA
Experience
We have graduated through the U.S. college system. Our team has 13+ years of experience with the U.S. college system, from studying, playing, and coaching all over the U.S., at the college, minor leagues, and club levels. We know what it takes to be a student-athlete.
Network
Our network of coaches understand that our players are coming through a platform built by successful ex-student athletes, who know what it takes to be a student-athlete. Our network of coaches is spread across all levels - NCAA, NAIA, & NJCAA (both mens and women’s).
WHEN TO START
It is important to remember that every recruits journey is different. U.S. college sports is known for recruiting worldwide and competition for scholarships is tough, it is important you know what you are doing in order to succeed. We encourage you to get in contact in year 10 to learn about the pathway, the process, and ask questions in order to determine if it is the right pathway for you. We then start the process with athletes once they are in year 11.
With all that being said, starting in year 12 is still absolutely achievable. U.S. college coaches have a recruiting budget each year, they have to fill their rosters spots using said budget, the longer you wait to get started, the smaller that budget is going to be.
We can advise you when to start but at the end of the day this is a huge step to take and not a decision that should be rushed. Ultimately you should start the process when you, and your parents/guardian, feel ready!
U.S. College Associations
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The National College Athletics Association (NCAA) is the most well-known and has 3 divisions. Many people get caught up in thinking these divisions are based on the level of play, but this is not the case. These divisions are separated by the size of the university/college, the number of sports, and the funding those sports programs have. There are many D2/D3 programs that would beat D1 programs (and NAIA/NJCAA programs that would beat NCAA D1/2/3 programs). There are some key differences between each division that you need to know.
NCAA Division 1
Can offer athletic scholarships and academic scholarships.
To be eligible to compete at NCAA D1 universities you require a minimum GPA (grade point average) of 2.30. Please note – each university has a different required GPA/SAT score to be accepted into the university. Just because you are eligible to compete for a D1 program doesn’t mean you will 100% be accepted into the university if you’re just scraping by those numbers. Your high school GPA is calculated by the NCAA based off of your core classes – explained here; http://www.ncaapublications.com/productdownloads/INTEB18-19_single.pdf
NCAA Division 2
Can offer athletic scholarships and academic scholarships..
To be eligible to compete at NCAA D2 universities you require a minimum GPA (grade point average) of 2.20. NCAA D2 also calculate your GPA based off of your core classes in high school (see link above).
NCAA Division 3
Division 3 universities do not offer athletic scholarships, all they can offer is academic scholarships.
NCAA D3 universities are generally smaller private schools.
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The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletes are also 4 year universities (like the NCAA), however they are just one division that compete in different conferences and all fight for the 1 national championship. NAIA programs can offer both athletic and academic scholarships. NAIA universities have 12 full scholarships per men’s and 12 full scholarships per women’s team, these scholarships can be given full or partial.
To be eligible for an NAIA university an incoming freshman must meet two of the following three requirements and provide the correct documentation:
• Achieve a minimum of 970 on the SAT
• Achieve a minimum overall high school grade point average of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Graduate in the top half of their high school class.
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The National Junior College Athletic Association, also referred to as JUCO/Community Colleges, is made up of 2-year colleges. Junior Colleges are usually smaller and have few academic requirements for acceptance and they are generally cheaper than large public universities. Some key facts about JUCOs;
• You graduate JUCO after 2 years with an associates degree
• You transfer (after either 1 or 2 years) the course credits over to a 4-year university (where you would enter into your 2nd or 3rd year).
• You take the same classes at JUCO as you would in your first 2 years at an NCAA/NAIA university.
Many NCAA and NAIA coaches recruit from Junior Colleges because the athlete is already dedicated to the student athlete lifestyle. Junior College is a great steppingstone and proven pathway to be recruited to top NCAA and NAIA Colleges/Universities.
Each NJCAA college chooses to compete in either Division I, II or III level;
NJCAA Division I
• Can offer full athletic scholarships a maximum of tuition, fees, room and board, course related books, up to $250 in course required supplies, and transportation costs one time per academic year to and from the college by direct route.
NJCAA Division II
• Can offer scholarships covering tuition, fees, course related books, and up to $250 in course required supplies.
NJCAA Division III
• Can offer no athletically related financial assistance.
“If you’re wanting to pursue the opportunity of playing high level soccer and pursuing your studies in the USA you needent look beyond PPUSA.”
— Greta Kraszula, Virgina Commonwealth University
