In The Huddle

NCAA Division I gets treated like the only destination for men's soccer, but that belief wrecks a lot of recruiting decisions. We’re joined by Aidan Twohig, a former Study & Play USA soccer player and (at the time of recording), an NAIA Assistant Men’s and Women’s soccer coach at Oklahoma City University, to talk candidly about what the US college soccer landscape actually looks like acro...

One tennis player in Los Angeles, one tennis player in Spokane, Washington and one basketballer in Sioux Center, Iowa! Listen in as Chris sits down with the Fairclough family to hear why all three children chose the US college sporting pathway. From a parent point of view, Sue and Graeme unpack the emotional logistics: pride mixed with distance, 4am match livestreams from Perth, and the shock of a...

Claire sits down with US College Triathlon Coach Hannah Loftus from NCAA D1 Delaware State to unpack a very exciting emerging sport: NCAA Women's Triathlon.  Coach Loftus discusses race format, season flow, recruiting, team tactics, and why culture beats talent when stakes rise. A clear guide for international athletes on timelines, budgets, and the first email that gets a coach to click. why...

This episode is all about the bigger picture - no matter who you are or what sport you play, going through the US college recruiting process and then becoming a college athlete allows you to Zoom out and really appreciate your journey. Coach Kelly Kraiss from Clemson Women's Rowing team sits down with Claire to chat about the broader topic of a recruiting journey as well as life as a US colle...

Want the real playbook behind Division 1 College golf recruiting? Chris Bates sits down with University of Arizona Wildcats Head Coach Jim Anderson to get a candid look at NCAA Division 1 golf recruiting. They discuss roster limits, rankings, culture when coaches choose their next class—and what athletes can do to stand out without getting lost in the noise. Coach Anderson breaks down what’s actua...

We are thrilled to introduce a new partnership for our Study & Play USA families: The Hidden Opponent! Listen as we sit down with NCAA Division I runner Vicky Datta from The Hidden Opponent to unpack the hidden realities of college sport as an international and the power of a community that says 'it’s okay not to be okay'. German athlete Vicky explains how The Hidden Opponent is brea...

Two unlikely travel mates and a tour of the American South that turns into a masterclass on what college sport really demands. We bring together Jesse Williams, national champion at Alabama and Super Bowl winner, and Chris Bates, a former Oklahoma State tennis player and founder of Study & Play USA, to map the modern pathway for Australian student athletes. Across locker rooms and alumni halls...

Think you know U.S. college sport from the headlines? Try walking seven campuses in ten days and stepping inside the rooms where performance is built. We share what’s actually changed since COVID and why the pathway for Australian student athletes is more compelling than ever. From the moment we arrived, the pattern was unmistakable: proximity drives progress. Training centres, rehab, academic sup...

What happens when a single Facebook message completely changes your life? For Sarah Abrams, a talented young rower from Australia's Hunter Valley, that message—which she initially suspected was a scam—became the first step on an extraordinary journey across the Pacific to NCAA Division I rowing. Alexia sits down with Sarah as she shares the raw, unfiltered story of her transformation from a h...

Imagine getting DM'd by an American coach, thinking it was a scam, realising it was not a scam, being offered a full ride scholarship, committing to an NCAA D1 program in New York, being weeks away from flying over and then being told: "oh you are not eligible to compete in NCAA D1."  This was Angus Alberts' story, an Australian National champion shot putter from Lara, Victoria...

Chris Bates sits down with former college tennis athlete Tayah Cross, to discuss one of our most requested topics: the process of studying in a US college and then returning back to Australia to practice as a physio. Unlike the direct entry Australian model, Tayah's journey took her from an undergraduate kinesiology degree with a minor in French from the University of North Carolina at Greens...

Coach George Eglesfield from NCAA D1 California State University at Bakersfield shares his journey from international student-athlete to recruiting coordinator and assistant coach, providing valuable insights for swimmers considering the US college route. His personal experience swimming at the University of Wyoming combined with his current coaching perspective offers a comprehensive view of coll...

Today’s episode explores the intricate world of Ivy League water polo recruitment, featuring insights from Coach Petar Momcilovic of Brown University. Listeners will get to hear Coach Momcilovic discuss the much talked about Junior Olympics, the importance of researching these universities before meeting with a coach. We dissect the infamous June 15th date in college recruiting and what Brown is l...

Prepare yourself for an eye-opening journey through the world of collegiate soccer with our special guest, Coach Zach Newton from Indian Hills Community College. Hailing from Australia, Coach Newton's path from player to coach is nothing short of inspiring. He shares his unique experiences navigating the U.S. college pathway, providing insights into the high academic standards and significant...

Unlock the secrets of junior college softball recruitment with our expert guest, Coach Erin Sharpe from Northeast Community College in Nebraska. Gain insights into what truly matters in the eyes of a college coach: it's not just about stats but the fundamentals and batting techniques that make a standout recruit. Coach Sharpe discusses her thoughts on highlight reels and what grabs her eye in...

Continuing with our junior college podcast series, Chris Bates sits down with Coach Brooks Buffington, the newly crowned 2024 National Women's Junior College Coach of the Year at Jones College in Mississippi, to uncover the truth behind the often misunderstood junior college sporting landscape. As he shares his insights, particularly for Australian students unfamiliar with the U.S. system, we...

This podcast episode dives deep into one of our most frequently requested topics: Junior College, also known as JUCO or NJCAA.   Coach Drew Mahin from Cloud County describes the recruitment process in a way for everybody to understand: are you approaching this as a customer or an explorer? Coach Mahin talks about rejection directing you to your next path, success stories of his athletes post Junio...

How do you balance athletics and academics while ensuring proper nutrition? In this episode, Director Alexia Bates sits down with Sports Dietician Lyss Koenan to discuss nutritional choices for high school and college aged athletes. Alexia dives into questions for Lyss including new surroundings at college meaning unfamiliar American food and the new responsibilities college athletes have to make...

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 Coll...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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.