We recently caught up with FirstPoint USA client, Harry Taylor. Hailing from Reading, Harry is one of the most recent soccer players to join the ranks here at FirstPoint USA. Here, Harry shares with us, some more about his sporting background, why he wished to pursue a sports scholarship to the States, and what he is most looking forward to upon becoming a student-athlete.
Harry is a former pupil of Leighton Park School, where he graduated with 10 GCSE’s and two AS Levels. He tells us he is currently studying Sports Science at BCA, Maidenhead, and is due to graduate with three distinctions in June.
Growing up, Harry tells us he played a number of sports including rugby, cricket and hockey. However, tells us that he always enjoyed soccer the most; Harry tells us it is a sport he loves both playing and watching. He added, “I’m quite analytical and I enjoy discussing the merits of teams, players and tactics with other interested people.” Having had an interest in the sport from a young age, Harry tells us he has played soccer at a number of different levels; for his school, and for several different teams in local youth leagues. From 2012-2014, Harry tells us he was picked to represent his county – Berkshire - for soccer. Within this position, Harry states he had to show a great level of leadership on the field. He also tells us, he was captain of his school team, and is now the captain of Maidenhead United Academy.
With an extensive sporting career already behind him, we asked Harry to tell us about his favourite sporting memory to date. He stated, “My favourite sporting memory is scoring a hat trick in my first season back after injury. One of my best friends played on the same team as me, and he assisted two of the goals. It was a great feeling and I was playing some of the best football of my life. It was particularly pleasing as I had been out for a while. It was a highly competitive squad, and this was my way of reclaiming my place back in the starting 11; and my hard work, getting back to full fitness, had paid off.”
Harry tells us that he wishes to pursue a sports scholarship in the US as he feels the setup for young athletes over there is far better than in the UK. Adding, “they take college sport far more seriously than here and I like that attitude. I am ready for the next chapter in my life and I feel the States is the best place for that. I am excited by how much soccer in the US has grown recently. I feel like it will be the perfect place to maximise my potential as a player.”
Upon beginning his life as a student-athlete in the US, Harry tells us he is looking forward to the excellent facilities on offer, noting, “as some of the stadia look amazing.” He adds, he is also looking forward to having the opportunity to watch some American sports live, such as basketball and American football.
When we asked Harry about his top three favourite sportspeople of all time, he stated...
“One of my favourite sportsman of all time is Lionel Messi. I think he is the greatest footballer of all time with the all the goals he’s scored and how he has helped Barcelona and Argentina to success consistently over many years. The way he plays is out of this world and there is no one like him. For a relatively small man, in a physical game, he uses his strength, skill and intelligence to beat players. He is wonderfully creative too. He thinks of things other players don’t.
My other favourite sportsman is Steven Gerrard. I am a massive Liverpool fan and it was great to see the loyalty he showed to his boyhood club to stay there when he could have moved to some of the best clubs in the world. He was the complete midfielder showing everything needed to be world class and I aspire to play like him every time I step on the pitch.
My next favourite sportswoman is Jessica Ennis-Hill. Watching her win gold at the London Olympics in the Heptathlon was amazing and I respect her massively for the athlete she is, competing in multiple events with such success. Her dedication and focus on her goals and her diligence to stick to a plan are a great example for an aspiring sportsman.”
Finally, we asked Harry where he sees himself being in 10 years time. He states that he hopes to still be playing soccer; whether this be competitively or just for fun, he states as long as he’s still playing, he’ll be happy. Harry adds that he would also like to see himself working somewhere in a successful soccer club, perhaps in an analyst role or on the business-side of things.
We’d like to thank Lloyd for catching up with us. We’ll keep you updated on Lloyd’s progress throughout the scholarship process across our various social media platforms; Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Think you’ve got what it takes? Apply to FirstPoint USA today for your once in a lifetime opportunity to head to the States on a sports scholarship:
