From Club to College: How to Get Recruited with the Right Support

Hosted by Dunedin City Royals FC & The Royals Academy in partnership with Platform Sports

This webinar is your guide to navigating the U.S. college recruitment process, with real advice from experts who know what it takes. Hosted by Platform Sports in partnership with Dunedin City Royals FC and The Royals Academy, this session will break down the exact steps athletes and families need to take to go from New Zealand football to a U.S. college program.

Get tips on video creation, coach communication, academic profiles, scholarships, and choosing the right fit, all backed by real stories and proven strategies.

In this live conversation, we will share:

- Why talented players get overlooked and how to avoid common recruitment traps

- What you need at each stage (from Year 9 to Year 13) to stay on track

- How to build a highlight video that gets attention from college coaches

- What to say when messaging coaches — and how to get replies

- How to create a strong academic + athletic profile that opens doors

- Ways to combine athletic, academic, and financial aid for better offers

- How to choose the right college, not just the most popular one

Backed by real experience and a network that spans the U.S., Platform Sports brings a proven system designed to help athletes succeed

You’ll learn:

Why talented players get overlooked and how to avoid common recruitment traps
What you need at each stage (from Year 9 to Year 13) to stay on track
How to build a highlight video that gets attention from college coaches
What to say when messaging coaches and how to get replies
How to create a strong academic + athletic profile that opens doors
Ways to combine athletic, academic, and financial aid for better offers
How to choose the right college not just the most popular one

Meet Your Host

Amrit Rai

With over a decade of experience and more than $100 million in scholarships secured, Amrit has helped thousands of student-athletes reach their college goals. In this session, he’ll share insights from working directly with families, coaches, and colleges—so you can better understand the U.S. recruitment landscape and how to set your child up for success.

Guest Speaker - Blair Scoullar

Blair Scoullar is a full-time football coach and the current Academy Director and Men’s National League Head Coach at Dunedin City Royals FC. With experience spanning player development, talent identification, and elite coaching, Blair has also served as a RH3 South Island Talent ID, Tour Coach, and Camp Coach.

A former professional footballer and New Zealand international, Blair represented the All Whites, NZ U23, and NZ U20 teams. His playing career includes stints with ASV Cham (Germany), Charleston Battery and Austin Posse (USA), and Ballymena United in the Northern Ireland Premiership. Blair spent three years coaching at the Ole Football Academy and holds both the OFC/NZF C and B Licenses. He is currently advancing his coaching education with NZF and has applied for the OFC/NZF A License course for 2026.

Guest Speaker

Blair Scoullar

Academy Director and Men’s National League Head Coach at Dunedin City Royals FC.

"This partnership will connect our club and academy players with a trusted organisation that specialises in guiding talented athletes through the process of securing scholarships and placements at American universities. With Platform Sports’ expertise and network, players will gain access to professional advice, recruitment guidance, and support in balancing their academic ambitions with their football aspirations."

Blair Scoullar

Dunedin City Royals FC & The Royals Academy

“We’re excited to add a college recruitment pathway for our users and partners, bringing together education and sport in a way that creates real, lasting opportunities. Even more so, we’re proud to do it alongside a like-minded company like Platform Sports.”

Bryce Poisel

Talentlockr, Founder

“At LifeTime, we pride ourselves on putting the players' needs first and taking a holistic approach to an athlete's development. We have chosen to work with Platform as we recognise those same values. Amrit and his team have gone above and beyond for our athletes and we look forward to continuing to work with Platform in the future.”

Marc Svenson

LifeTime Tennis Academy, Brisbane

“Amrit and Platform not only has an in-depth knowledge of the College system but works hard to make sure the athlete secures the right fit right from the start. They also genuinely cares about each athlete and continues to be there for them throughout their college career, and for me that makes a huge difference.”

Kevin Smith

PGA Pro Coach

“With Platform, I found a very personalised approach to the recruitment process. Ultimately, I feel that they genuinely care about the athletes they represent. This makes them stand out amongst the rest”

Jake Gardner

Director of the PBI Academy in Dubai

What is this webinar about?

This free session is designed to educate parents and athletes on how the US college system works for student athletes. We’ll cover scholarship opportunities, academic requirements, the recruitment process, and what life is like as a student-athlete in the US.

Will this help my child get a scholarship?

Yes! We’ll walk you through how scholarships work for track and field, how to improve your child’s chances, and what college coaches are looking for in both athletes and students.

Do we need to have elite times or rankings to be considered?

Not necessarily. We’ll explain the different levels of college competition (Division 1, Division 2, NAIA, JUCO) and how there are opportunities for a wide range of athletes—not just national champions.

Will you explain the academic requirements too?

Yes, absolutely. We’ll cover GPA, SAT/ACT requirements (if needed), and how academics play a role in the recruitment and scholarship process.

Is this relevant for international families?

Yes! The webinar is tailored for international athletes looking to study and compete in the US. We’ll talk about the visa process, eligibility, and how international recruitment works.

What happens after the webinar?

You’ll receive a follow-up pack with the full college roadmap, scholarship checklists, and an option to book a free one-on-one call with our team to discuss your child’s specific situation.

Is there any cost to attend?

No, the webinar is completely free to attend.

From Club to College: How to Get Recruited with the Right Support

Live Online Webinar

How to Get Recruited with the Right Support