At U.S Sports Scholarships we have been working with our partners at AFC Sudbury for over 5 years now and during that time have helped place 22 of their talented student-athletes at colleges in America. To celebrate our long-standing, highly successful partnership we wanted to use this opportunity to provide some insights into how some of their academy alumni are doing since they made the move from Suffolk to the States.
Callum Watson – Creighton Uni (NCAA D1)
Callum headed out to America in 2018 joining the hugely successful NAIA team Hastings College in Nebraska. During his time at Hastings Callum scored 14 goals and recorded 28 assists in just 38 games for the Broncos. In his second season the team managed to get to the final of the NAIA soccer championship and Callum was recognised for his individual performances earning All-America first team honours and making the tournament team. Following a standout two seasons at Hastings we helped Callum with a transfer over to Creighton University who play in the NCAA Division 1 and are one of the best soccer programmes in the country. During his time with the Bluejays Callum has racked up 27 starts, 3 goals and 6 assists. Callum graduated this year with a degree in Healthy Lifestyle Management and with a 2.8 GPA. Follow his journey on social media here. Also an absolute must-watch for anyone interested in playing college soccer out in America is Callum’s match day vlog from the 2022 spring semester:
Joe Wright – Hofstra Uni (NCAA D1)
Joe left AFC Sudbury in 2018 to join NCAA D2 powerhouse Saginaw Valley State in Michigan where he made an instant impact. He went on to do incredibly both in the class room and on the field in the last 4 years, including getting to the NCAA D2 sweet 16 with Saginaw Valley State Uni prior to his move to Hofstra University in New York where he got to the 3rd round of the NCAA D1 tournament in his last season playing in 15 games; all while maintaining an incredible 3.94 GPA and graduating with a degree in Management. Since finishing his undergrad at college Joe will now be embarking upon a master’s degree in Business Analytics at Hofstra. Follow his journey on social media here.
Ollie Peters – Francis Marion Uni (NCAA D2)
Ollie had four highly successful years at Francis Marion University in South Carolina where he was a standout performer for the Patriots clocking up 67 appearances, 6 goals and 8 assists while achieving multiple conference team and academic honours. Ollie also played high level soccer in the summer for Georgia Revolution FC (NPSL) and Virginia Beach FC (USL 2) where again he was a prominent figure in the midfield. Since graduating with an incredible 3.3 GPA degree in Business Administration, Ollie has moved back to the UK and is now playing in the Isthmian League Premier Division for Hertfordshire based team Bishop’s Stortford FC and working in Business Development for a business based in Suffolk. Follow his journey on social media here.
Jake Colclough – Savannah College of Art & Design (NAIA)
Since leaving AFC Sudbury in 2019, Jake has spent four years at Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD) playing 19 games, scoring 1 goal and getting 3 assists for the Bees. Majoring in Interior Design and minoring in Architecture Jake currently has an impressive 3.3 GPA and has managed to do a number of internships that have provided him with invaluable experience heading into the next stage of his life. Following graduation Jake is looking to go into the workforce either in the United States or in Europe putting his degree to good use by focusing on developing universal designs that solve societal dilemmas.
Adam Hanson – Auburn University at Montgomery (NCAA D2)
Adam joined the University of Northwestern Ohio in Fall 2020 and has gone onto to make an impressive 34 appearances, score 5 goals, get 4 assists and become the team’s captain in the process. Adam’s performances resulted in him generating a lot of interest and admiration from other teams, which has resulted in us recently helping him with a transfer to Auburn University at Montgomery (NCAA D2) in Alabama where he will start this Fall. Adam is majoring in Sports Management and currently has an impressive 3.5 GPA. Follow his journey on social media here.
Paige Clemenson – Clayton State University (NCAA D2)
Paige was our first female athlete signed up and placed from our partners at AFC Sudbury. During her freshman season at Clayton State University (NCAA D2) in Georgia Paige appeared in 14 games and bagged two assists in the process. This summer Paige has also been playing for Peach Tree City in Georgia in the USL Women’s League, which will prepare her well for her upcoming sophomore season with the Lakers. Paige is majoring in health and fitness management. Follow her journey on social media here.
Future College Stars
Following a look back at some incredible success stories, it’s now time to shine a light on this year’s next cohort of Sudbury soccer stars heading out to America this Fall who are as follows; Dan Smith (Bellevue Uni), Cameron Strachan (Uni of Alabama in Huntsville), Katie Walker (Monroe CC), Katherine Hammond (Allen CC), Katie Hayes (Bryant & Stratton College) and Jess Allen (Allen CC). The Sudbury Academy teams also just returned from competing in the Enigma Cup in Miami where they brought back some more silverware with the women’s team winning the tournament so there were no doubt many more future college stars that featured on the tour!
Upcoming Men’s & Women’s Soccer Trial
Date: Tuesday July 26th 2022
Location: AFC Sudbury, Brundon Lane, Suffolk, CO10 7HN
Men’s Event: Registration 9:00, Presentation 9:15, Kick-off 10:30
Women’s Event: Registration 13:00, Presentation 13:15, Kick-off 14:30
Kit: We can supply full kit for the game
Trial game fee: £20 (free to signed players)
Note: Spaces are limited, so please register your interest as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
To find out more about AFC Sudbury, visit their website.
