Shaped by Experience: Kinnect Soccer’s Mission to Support Families and Footballers Alike
As global interest in U.S. college athletics continues to grow, increasing numbers of young footballers outside the United States are seeking opportunities to combine their sporting talent with higher education. Kinnect Soccer's mission is to support and educate footballers and their families through the complex journey of becoming student-athletes in the United States.
Complexity in the U.S. College Recruitment Process
Securing a U.S. scholarship as a footballer is a multi-step process involving academic eligibility, athletic recruitment, standardised testing (e.g. SAT), transcript evaluation, and visa acquisition. For families unfamiliar with the American education system, this process can seem overwhelming.
A Holistic Approach That Includes Families
Kinnect Soccer recognises that families are key stakeholders in the decision-making process. Parents and guardians need to understand timelines, financial commitments, academic expectations, and the long-term impact of attending a U.S. institution. By involving families in the entire process, Kinnect Soccer ensures that every decision is made with confidence and shared understanding.
How First-Hand Challenges Inspired a New Pathway
My name is Jake Balme, founder of Kinnect Soccer. After finishing my youth team apprenticeship at Scunthorpe United, in 2022 I earned a scholarship to play at a NCAA Division II College in Tennessee, where I began my freshman year. The opportunity to combine football with studying a business management degree felt like a dream come true. However, the reality of life as an international student-athlete proved far more complex than I had anticipated.
After my first year, I transferred to a NCAA Division II College in New York City to pursue a better fit both academically and athletically. While the move brought new opportunities, it also introduced new challenges. Navigating the transfer process, trying to understand NCAA regulations and adapting to a vastly different cultural environment, it became an overwhelming experience. Therefore, after two years in the U.S., I made the difficult decision to return home.
That experience—filled with both triumphs and trials—made it clear that more insight is needed for international student-athletes trying to succeed in the U.S. system. I saw first-hand how much talent goes unrealised, not because of ability, but because of obstacles such as homesickness, finances and a lack of preparation for what life as a student-athlete truly involves.
Kinnect Soccer was created to provide a personal experience insight so that no player or family feel lost in the process. Through education and holistic support, our mission is to guide footballers and their families through every step of the journey—with the clarity and confidence.