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Sporting Athletic Club is honored to be selected as the second non-professional club to partner with FirstPoint USA. FirstPoint USA, the world’s leading college pathway agency. FirstPoint USA creates scholarship opportunities for talented sportsmen and women to universities across the United States. As the global leader in student- athlete scouting and recruitment, FirstPoint works with a network of over 2,500 colleges and universities, to increase their international reach and identify sporting and academic talent on their behalf.
Founded in 2001, FirstPoint USA have supported more than 30,000 student-athletes from across the world, securing over $300 million in scholarship funding and working with young men and women who have progressed to achieve success at the top levels of sport and industry.
Trusted and certified by the NCAA, NAIA, and NJCAA, FirstPoint USA has also established successful partnerships with key organizations, such as the Philadelphia Union, Boston Bolts, Fulham FC, Rangers FC, Crystal Palace FC, Newcastle United FC, Chelsea FC, the English Football League, English Schools Football Association, and The Professional Footballers’ Association.
FIRST POINT USA'S
MISSION
FirstPoint USA mission is to help greatness grow, and thrives on success stories among our alumni. FirstPoint USA wants to support our partners in their own missions and create positive role models for your next generation of soccer players to be inspired by.
FIRST POINT USA
BENNIFITS
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FirstPoint USA will provide general college recruitment guidance, information, and insights to all Sporting Athletic players at no cost to the player, family, or club. This is termed as our ‘Academy Service’.
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Support talented soccer players in their pursuit of academic, soccer, and financial opportunities at NCAA, NAIA, or NJCAA colleges and universities.
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Create college opportunities for Sporting Athletic players that are specifically aligned to their academic, athletic, and financial needs.
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Create long-term development pathways for Sporting Athletic Club, their players, and families.
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Provide high quality, best fit academic institutions for student-athletes in the next stage of their careers
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Develop well-rounded people in sport and education to prepare them for life beyond university
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FirstPoint USA will allocate three dedicated members of staff to Sporting Athletic, with at least one staff member located permanently (where possible) at the clubs’ facilities.
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‘College Recruitment’ presentations will be delivered to Sporting Athletic players at the clubs’ facilities throughout the year; dates & frequency determined by club.
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Arrange and coordinate college coach visits to watch Sporting Athletic games, meet eligible players, their families, and coaching staff; subject to club permission.
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Provide comprehensive pastoral support and aftercare to each Sporting Athletic player during their four years in college.
MEET CALLUM PRITCHATT
THE FIRST POINT COLLEGE PATHWAYS DIRECTOR
Callum will now be serving as the full time First Point USA Player Pathway Director. Callum will assist zone 2 athletes as they develop towards their goals. Callum brings an impressive playing and coaching career which brings a wealth of knowledge to this role. Callum played for West Bromwich Albion’s Academy at every age group level before securing a scholarship at the prestigious Penn State University. He played 59 games for the Nittany Lions over a four-year period in a midfield role, scoring four goals and led the team in back-to-back seasons in assists between 2017 – 18. Graduating in 2021, he spent the summer at Penn State as the lead intern within the Athletics Sports Performance Department, before moving into an Assistant Coaching Role then Director of Player Development, under head coach Jeff Cook. In his first season on the staff in 2021, Pritchatt assisted the team to both the 2021 Big Ten regular season and tournament titles. Penn State also advanced to its third-straight NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1993-95.
PLAYER PLACEMENT IN COLLGE PROGRAMS
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Sporting Athletic Club players enjoy the awareness and exposure to the top college programs in the country through our participation in the Boys MLS Next, Girls Academy, and EDP Leagues
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Sporting Athletic Club teams also participate in a strong College Showcase schedule to ensure additional exposure