U.S. College Soccer Explained:

Scholarships, Pathways, and What Actually Matters

A free live webinar delivered with YES Academy, one of the leading high-performance environments for developing international footballers, and Platform Sports Management, specialists in placing athletes into U.S. college soccer programs.

This session pulls back the curtain on the U.S. college soccer system; how scholarships really work, how NCAA, NAIA, and JUCO differ, when recruitment actually starts, and where athletes most often go wrong.

What We’ll Cover:

How NCAA, NAIA, and JUCO actually differ and why the “best” level depends on the athlete, not the label

How soccer scholarships really work (and why full rides are the exception, not the rule)
The correct recruitment timeline for international players, including when coaches actually start engaging
The most common mistakes that quietly cost athletes opportunities or leverage
What coaches are really looking for beyond highlights and CVs
How families reduce risk by choosing the right pathway, not just the fastest one

Everything shared is based on real placements, real conversations with coaches, and real outcomes.

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"I can't thank the team at Platform Sports enough for their incredible support in helping me secure a swimming scholarship at Penn State University. Their personalized guidance, extensive network, and deep understanding of the process made my journey from New Zealand to the US a breeze. If you're a swimmer looking to make a splash across the Pacific, Amrit, Tash, and the team is your ultimate gateway.”

Cooper Morley, Penn State University

NCAA Division I Swimming

"Working with platform sports made my process of college recruitment so easy. I was constantly looked after by the team and they helped me through every struggle one would face when trying to go to America for sports. Working with them has been such a good experience and I will always thank them for the time and effort they put into me and my goals."

Kayla Van De Ven , Wichita State

NCAA Division 1 Golf

"Partnering with Platform Sports Management was a game changer for me and my family. Through their professionalism and hard work they have turned my dream into reality. They didn’t just represent me but also believed in me. Helping to push me to where I am now. Very thankful for all that they have done!”

Keegan Kelly, University of Denver

NCAA Division I Soccer

Your Hosts

William & Yui

Will Clarkson | Australia Manager, Platform Sports Management

Will Clarkson leads Platform Sports’ work with Australian and international soccer athletes navigating the U.S. college system. He works directly with families on recruitment strategy, timelines, eligibility, and school fit across NCAA, NAIA, and JUCO pathways.

In this session, Will breaks down how the system actually works in practice; what opportunities are realistic, how scholarships are structured, and what athletes need to prioritise at each stage of the journey. This is the same guidance Platform Sports uses daily with athletes already in the process.

Guest Speaker
Yui, Founder, YES Academy

Yui is the founder of YES Academy and works hands-on with international footballers preparing for their next step, including U.S. college soccer pathways. He brings an academy-level perspective on player development, readiness, and the decisions athletes need to make before entering the college system.

Guest Speaker

Yui

Founder, Yes 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.

Scholarships, Pathways, and What Actually Matters

Live Online Webinar

Why This Matters for Families Considering U.S. College Soccer

What We’ll Cover:

Who It’s For:

What Our Athletes Say

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