An event showcasing the benefits of young female footballers training at US colleges was held at Brunel University this month.
Go2CollegeSoccer hold roughly ten events every year, which feature talks on the program, training sessions with FA-qualified coaches and a full match.
They aim to guide young women and girls, aged 14-20, through the college application system by acting as an agency between the players and the colleges.
Go2CollegeSoccer founder, Jon Maloney, said: “The investment that they put into the women’s game over there at the college level is just nowhere else you can really find it in the world.”
The 41-year-old claims that despite recent progress for women’s football in England, there is still a massive gap in how women’s football is treated in the US compared to the UK.
He added: “It’s a great opportunity for young female players to go over to balance playing football at a high level and obviously, most importantly, getting a degree as well.”
Maloney played football at colleges in the US after being released from Doncaster Rovers, giving him insight into the US college system.
He said: “I soon realised, going over there, what a great opportunity it is from the soccer side of things to play at a high level because you are treated like a professional.
“I just had an amazing four years over there and a great experience, both on and off the pitch.
“That was when I first really realised just how seriously America took the women’s game.”
Maddie Brant, 25, went through the Go2CollegeSoccer program and now plays for Oxford United.
She said: “I think in the UK, academics and sport are pretty detached.
“You can have success in both, but I don’t think they complement each other as well as the American system does.
“You can do both at elite levels and not have to make any sacrifices or compromises on either.”
Despite the development of the UK academies, both Maloney and Brant claim that US colleges remain a viable option.
Brant said: “Some of my current teammates, if they’re youngsters that are maybe at university age, they’re not necessarily prioritising their education because there’s more opportunity in women’s football now.
“But getting a degree was perfect for me and my long-term success.”
Maloney added: “For players that might be in and about the first team, they’re probably going to stay here and they’ll want to push on to potentially be a professional player.
“If they’re not quite at that level, this gives them a great opportunity to go into a really positive environment in America for four years, and then come back a better player, with a degree as well.”
The US college route has seen a lot of success over the years, with established England internationals like Lucy Bronze and Alessia Russo both going through it.
Maloney claims that over 30 of the players from his program have come back to play professionally in the UK or abroad, including Crystal Palace’s Molly-Mae Sharp and Ireland international Shanade Hopcroft.
Brant said: “I could tell immediately they cared about who I was as a person and getting me to the right destination.
“When I came back to play, he helped me get in touch with an agent, so there really was 24/7 support, start to finish, which I can’t really thank them enough for.”
James Kelly, 48, was at his fourth event to find out if the program was right for him and his daughter.
He said: “From a parent’s perspective, it’s reassuring to hear and feel that Jon and the team really look after these girls once they take them on board.
“As a parent, it’s probably all you can ask for.”
Go2CollegeSoccer are hosting two more trial events this year, one in Leeds and one in York before their Winter Showcase in December.
Featured Image Credit: Tom Davies
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