As qualified educators and coaches, Study & Play USA staff understand that student-athletes develop at different rates. The same applies to making what is a very important family decision to send one’s son or daughter to the USA for a study and play experience. In our experience, the families that are best educated and prepared about the pathway tend to get the best outcomes for their sons and daughters. For these reasons, we recommend being informed and educated about all that is involved in the pathway. Some student-athletes start planning as early as Year 8 but do not start the official application process until the commencement of year 11 (recommended). Some student-athletes only discover the pathway late in high school and therefore commence in Year 12. Whilst this is getting a little late to be starting, Study & Play USA will work with any student-athlete who is ready and willing to engage in the exciting process.
Ideal commencement timelines:
Year 8- engage with Study & Play USA staff to ask any initial questions about the pathway
Year 9- start to consider what academic markers need to be met, which, for the USA University system, starts in Year 9
Year 10- meet with a Study & Play USA Talent Coordinator
Year 10 Term Four – Year 11 Term 1: Ideal time to commence the process with Study & Play USA to maximise scholarship opportunities
Year 11 and Year 12- The earlier one starts, the less stress for the student-athlete and more time coaches in the USA have to track the progress of our student-athletes