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The world of US college sport is both expansive and exciting, and international student-athletes are signing up in their droves for their shot at a scholarship opportunity.
In The Huddle is the creation of Study & Play USA, widely regarded as the GO TO experts in facilitating the best possible outcomes for all stakeholders in this industry: US college coaches and recruiters, local high schools, families of student-athletes and most importantly the student-athletes themselves.
So as you jog on the treadmill, drive to work, school or training, tune in to hear from industry leading experts, US college coaches, parents and student-athletes and learn how to best approach this pathway to maximise your opportunity and set yourself up for your most successful life.
66 Episodes
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In this episode, Claire sits down with Junior College Division 1 Women's Basketball coach Landon Steele, from Dodge City Community College. They discuss a wide range of topics from what Coach Steele looks for in a recruit, why he enjoys recruiting Aussies and the challenges of basketball recruiting on both the men's and womens' side. Coach Steele also debunks myths about Junior College, speaking about why someone would choose a junior college over an NCAA school, how JUCO prepares you for the...
What if you could navigate the challenges of being a student-athlete in a foreign country while chasing your dreams of professional sports? Meet Jarrod Mann, our newest team member and recruiting mentor at Study and Play USA! Jarrod takes us through his incredible journey from the junior golf courses of Australia to earning a scholarship at Eastern Arizona Community College. He shares his trials and triumphs, from managing homesickness to forming lifelong bonds with his teammates. Hear...
Ever wondered how student-athletes juggle academic excellence with top-tier sports performance? Join us in this inspiring episode where we sit down with Nathan Brown, the Director of Sport and Performance Pathways, and Adrian Blades, the Head of Career Development at Geelong College. Nathan shares his intriguing journey from professional sports to nurturing young talent, while Adrian discusses his shift from university admissions to forging meaningful student relationships. Together, they off...
Prepare to be propelled into the dynamic world of college athletics as we sit down with Marty Kinsey and Mark Kaiser from St. Mary's College of California. Discover the enduring bond between Australian athletes and St. Mary's sports programs, a journey that started on the basketball court and has since sprinted across the track and beyond. From the festive celebration of Australia Day to the strong sense of belonging these athletes find on campus, we explore the cultural exchange that's becom...
Embark on a journey into the heart of the college sports world as Chris and Alexia Bates from Study and Play USA join us to dissect the academic eligibility maze for international student-athletes. This episode is not merely a conversation; it's a treasure map that guides you through the perplexing terrain of NCAA requirements, where a single misstep can cost you the game. We're peeling back the layers of maintaining GPAs, understanding different educational systems, and why early planning is...
In this episode, our director Chris Bates sits down with Stewart Briggs, who started Acceleration Australia in 2000, after working as a strength and conditioning coach across NCAA D1 as well as the NBA. Tune in to gain a WEALTH of knowledge from Stewart, an industry leading expert who understands the nuances of the US approach to strength, conditioning and general athletic training and how to best prepare your body to hit the ground running once you arrive on your college campus. Stewart say...
In this super short episode, Chris discusses the sometimes unknown life changing opportunities available to student – athletes to set themselves up for a successful sporting and post sporting career. Chris provides some tips for maximising your (Australian) summer break whether preparing for college or already in college.
In this episode Chris Bates chats with Robert Walters Associate Director Hamish Winterbourn, about that the characteristics that international student-athletes possess like resilience, time management, team work and discipline make them some of the most recruitable candidates across a wide range of industries.
In this episode, SPUSA Director Alexia sits down with the Director of Play Overseas, Harry Newton to announce their new partnership which will help US graduates obtain graduate opportunities in UK. Together, Harry & Alexia chat with an NCAA track athlete in the USA to see how her sporting interests led to her postgraduate studies in the UK on a netball scholarship. Learn more here: https://www.playoverseas.co.uk/studyandplayusa/
In this episode, Study and Play Director Chris is joined by Australian born UCLA Rugby Coach Harry Bennett. They discuss the power of rugby as a connector and network tool for student-athletes.
WA Softballer Mackayla Denney sits down with Talent Coordinator Claire to discuss her regrets and mindset shifts she had to make in her softball recruiting journey. Filled with "say it louder for the people in the back" moments, Mackayla is a positive & high energy treasure trove of wisdom. This no questions barred podcast dives into the Division 1 or bust mentality, the danger of allowing others opinions to dictate your dreams and much more.
In this episode, Study and Play Director Alexia is joined by Talent Coordinators Chris and Claire to discuss common mindset barriers they have encountered over 20 years with student-athletes athletes and their families during the US recruiting Coach Communication phase. This is a must listen for all student-athletes across all sports, filled with valuable advice for all ages.
In this episode of ‘In The Huddle’ Director Alexia Bates and current soccer student-athlete Katie Jones discuss her journey from Australian high school student to Sophomore at NAIA women’s soccer program at SOKA College in California. Together they dissect the differences between soccer in the USA and Australia, Katie’s key factors to finding her right fit, the importance of assistant coaches in your recruiting process as well as answering one of our most frequently asked questions What...
In this episode, Director Alexia Bates takes you into the world of US College admissions with founder of Internationally Educated and former US admissions officer Debbie Shively. They discuss the differences between admissions here in Australia to the processes in the USA, what admissions officers are looking for and ensuring your college applications are authentically you. It is worth a listen just to hear Debbie’s views on the challenges that international applicants can encounter and...
In this episode, our Director Alexia sits down with Freshman Water Polo player Izzy Lumley to reflect on her first semester in College in the US. They discuss how the recruiting process itself helped prepare Izzy for College, how she was able to find her right fit and advice for students navigating high school and the US College pathway. A must listen for all prospective student-athletes and their families!
In this episode, Chris is joined by Talent Coordinator Claire Mulligan and USA South Coach of the Year 2021, NCAA Division 3 Women’s Soccer Coach Timmy McCormack. They discuss what coaches from all sports look for in a recruit, recruiting video tips, great questions for a recruit in any sport to ask a Coach as well as dispelling some critical Division 3 myths along the way. This is a podcast packed with valuable wisdom for athletes of any sports background, at any stage of their recrui...
Philippa Piper has just graduated from 4 years playing Water Polo at an NCAA D2 program. Alexia catches up with Pip to hear about her time in College from Conference Championships, the recruiting process, competing with the men’s team to be the best academically, working as a student athlete and her plans to stay a fifth year and study her Masters. She has had a heck of a journey and has made the most of every opportunity presented to her! Be sure to join us to hear Pip r...
In this episode, Chris sits down with decathlete Jackson Willis who reflects on his first year as a student-athlete in South Dakota, all the way from Orange, in country New South Wales!
Claire is the latest Talent Coordinator to join the SPUSA team! Hear about her journey, her soccer career, and why she is so passionate about the US College pathway for Aussie Student-athletes!
Sean Fyfe is the Founder and Director of Performance Physio Fitness Health He is a leading Sports Physiotherapist, Masters Level Exercise Scientist, Level 2 Strength and Conditioning Coach and Tennis Australia High Performance Tennis Coach. Sean has worked around the world in many different capacities including at the 2012 London Olympics, on the ATP world tour and as a Physiotherapist for London’s west End shows including the Lion King, Billy Elliott, Stomp, Rat Pack and Women in White .
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