Soccer Academy Offer: Accept or Refuse

[Clarita12345]

Hi there
My son 15 got an offer from the soccer Academy in Edgware www.soccerchanceacademy.com
But I am not sure whether my son should accept the offer or not. My worry is to remove him from the Grammar School he goes to and regret it afterwards. My son would like to become a lawyer and study in USA. The football Academy website does say that they have opportunities for players to get scholarship to universities in The US but I am not sure and worried to take such a Turn in my sons education & future although we wouldn't want him to miss this probably life chance...!!! Please help .

I would be tempted to let him do it. If it doesn't work out he can go back and do a levels. Is it linked to a club? I taught 2 boys at Chelsea, one made it one didn't but both have excellent qualifications.

Dear god no. If he's that good at football he'd have been spotted by now. If he wants to become a lawyer he needs to be at an academic school.

Not true at all, titchy

15 is a great age.

If your son is good enough, he can apply himself for US universities, and get a soccer scholarship. Really, he needs to be in a school that will maximise his chances of getting good results at KS4 and KS5, and a grammar is usually one of those.

What GCSE's & A levels are they offering ? What year is he in, it seems an odd age to be changing schools, isn't he halfway through his GCSE's already ?
If they have good links with the USA and can get him a scholarship to a decent American college, it could save him a fortune in student loans. Although I think you could probably arrange this yourselves anyway.
I think Titchy is correct, in saying most footballers are spotted at an earlier age these days. What does you son want to do ?

I have looked at the website and it says that they study BTEC Level 3 In Sport and Performance. You need to check but I think it is only equivalent to 2 'A' levels - my son is doing a BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma and that is 3 'A' levels.

Most universities won't accept 2 'A' levels. Maybe it works differently in USA.

Don't want to sound mean but how good is his football? My son could have attended the academy at our college. They did a good PR job. I expect part of it is bums on seats. I knew and he knew that although he's ok at football he was never going to be scouted by any team.

Going back to the qualification if wants to be a lawyer a BTEC in Sport is probably not the right start. Be careful not to get caught up with the promise of a scholarship. The website says opportunities - not everyone will get in

Thank you all for your contributions. X