FirstPoint USA, the world’s leading international sports scholarship agency, has expanded its US soccer portfolio with the launch of an exciting new partnership with Boston Bolts, one of the country’s foremost MLS Next Academy programs.
Coming hot on the heels of their collaboration with Philadelphia Union Academy, the partnership with Boston Bolts will support talented young players in their transition from Academy to NCAA collegiate soccer, tapping into FirstPoint’s twenty-two years of experience in the scholarship market.
Led by All-American University of Cincinnati soccer Hall of Famer Andrew Kean, FirstPoint USA have worked with more than 30,000 student-athletes globally since being founded in 2001, securing in excess of $300m in scholarship funding and recruiting on behalf of the leading collegiate sports team in the States. The company boasts an impressive roster of high-profile soccer partners, including the Football League in England, the Professional Footballers Association in Scotland, in addition to clubs such as Fulham, Queen’s Park Rangers, Ross County and the recently announced agreement with Philadelphia Union, the number one ranked academy in the MLS.
With more than 2,000 players involved at the club at age group level, Boston Bolts have a formidable record in developing talented athletes through their pathway and onto MLS Next Academy teams, pre-professional leagues, collegiate soccer and the professional game. The Bolts player development program has seen players progressing to some of the top D1 teams in the States, including Harvard, Penn State, Michigan, Brown and Holy Cross in recent seasons.
Boston Bolts players and their families will benefit from FirstPoint USA’s expertise and network in supporting them through the various stages of transition from the club to college, with staff based within the club to ensure a joined-up approach between both organisations.
“We are very excited to get this new partnership underway and having this service provided by industry experts will be a huge benefit to our players, their families and our coaching staff,” said Boston Bolts CEO Brian Ainscough.
“Our mission is to develop exceptional soccer players who are prepared to compete at the collegiate, national or professional level, by providing the highest quality soccer resources, superior technical curriculum, competitive athletic programs and personal growth opportunities that support a successful future. Working with FirstPoint USA will allow us to deliver on some of our key aims and ensure those players who aspire to play collegiate soccer will be in great hands.”
FirstPoint CEO Andrew Kean added: “Boston Bolts is a huge club with an exceptional record of developing talented young players and we are delighted to be working with them to further improve their excellent pathway and player care program. Through our experience, we know what life-changing opportunities exist for players who want to play college soccer, providing that balance between academic and athletic ambitions and offering the best of both worlds.
“We are looking forward to working with the coaching team, getting to know the Academy players and providing a seamless transition into some of the best college soccer teams in the country.”
