For young athletes, nothing is more enticing than to have their passion pay for their education. For thousands of soccer players, getting a scholarship to play competitively for a highly ranked college team is a dream come true. Scholarships require diligent soccer training, dedication, and a commitment to education. Here are tips on how to increase your chances of getting a soccer scholarship to your school of choice.

How to Get a Soccer Scholarship 

1. Start Early 

In order to build a solid foundation and advance your skills quickly, you should have several years of soccer experience by the time you reach high school. College recruits keep a close eye on talented varsity players. To ensure you get noticed, you'll want to get on the varsity team as soon as possible. A player with more than two years at a varsity level is more attractive to college coaches and scouts. 

2. Develop Relationships 

Talk to your high school coaches about ways you can improve, connections they may have, and any advice on how to be more appealing to college scholarship programs. Your high school coaches can clearly assess your skill level, which can help you choose schools that match your talents.

Talk to other players who have gone through the process as well. Ask about what soccer training is like at a collegiate level and any advice they have on how to better navigate this undertaking. Lastly, it's important to connect with college coaches at schools of interest. Create your own opportunities by sending your transcript, stats, and high-quality footage of you in action. This extra effort can help you stand out among other candidates. 

3. Meet Academic Requirements 

While a soccer career may be your goal, performing well academically comes first. Make sure you meet and maintain the GPA required at your school of choice. Should you receive a scholarship, continuing your academic prowess will be a contingency to keeping it. Demonstrating your dedication to your studies shows recruiters you have strong discipline, time management skills, and are an overall well-rounded candidate. 

Are you looking for a world-class soccer training program? Beachside Soccer Club in Norwalk, CT, offers a variety of soccer programs for boys and girls of all skills levels, from ages 5 to 13. Whether your aspirations are to become a professional soccer player or you enjoy gaining skills and friendly competition, this one-of-a-kind youth soccer program will help all players develop technical mastery and tactical application. To learn more about the experienced coaches behind this unique program, visit their website or call (203) 852-6969.