Southern Cross Athletes - USA Tour: Building Stronger Connections and Watching Our Student-Athletes Compete

Southern Cross Athletes recently completed a USA tour to build stronger connections with college coaches and see some of our student-athletes in person at their respective colleges and universities. It was an exciting and fulfilling experience for us and it was a good opportunity to expand Southern Cross Athletes network in the USA. As part of our commitment to helping young athletes pursue their dreams in the US college system, we spent time visiting some of the top collegiate institutions and watching our student-athletes in action.

The tour took us to six colleges across the country, each with its own elite athletic programs. Stanford University (NCAA DI), renowned for its rigorous academics and elite athletic programs, was our first stop on our nation-wide tour. Walking through this campus and seeing the world-class facilities first-hand reinforced just how special these environments are for student-athletes. Fun fact: If Stanford were a competing nation in the Olympics, they would have finished 11th at the most recent Olympics. This is the most elite level of sport globally.

SCA with Stanford University Men's Soccer Assistant Coaches

Our trip then took us to one of the most beautiful states in the USA; Florida and included stops at Keiser University (NAIA), Webber International University (NAIA), Palm Beach Atlantic (NCAA DII), Eastern Florida State (NCJAA), and Florida Tech (NCAA DII), where we met with coaches who share our passion for player development. The conversations we had not only solidified our existing partnerships but also opened the door for new opportunities for our current and future student-athletes. This stage of our trip also presented the opportunity to see some of our Class of 2024 student-athletes perform on the field. It’s one thing to hear about their progress, but witnessing their growth and hard work first-hand was incredibly rewarding.

"We spent valuable time networking with coaches and discussing recruitment strategies, player development philosophies, and future opportunities for our student-athletes."

For example, we were able to watch an SCA derby at Webber International, in which we were lucky to see Bailey Newton's Keiser earn a 2-0 win against Brandon Apon's Webber. Newton earned minutes off the bench and contributed to the victory while Brandon Apon is currently working hard to get back on the pitch after a recent injury setback. The ability to see our student-athletes in action not only strengthens our understanding of how they’re progressing but also allows us to gauge the level they are competing at. The conferences in Florida are seriously competitive… we had the opportunity to watch Palm Beach Atlantic play Barry University. Considering this was a NCAA DII match-up, we were blown away by the standard. I genuinely believe Palm Beach Atlantic would hold its own against some NPL 1 and 2 First Grade teams here in Australia.

In addition to watching several soccer matches, we spent valuable time networking with coaches and discussing recruitment strategies, player development philosophies, and future opportunities for our student-athletes. It’s clear that US colleges are continuing to invest heavily in academics, athletics, and attracting international student-athletes while offering the perfect balance for those looking to develop academically and athletically. Witnessing the level of dedication of these programs assures us that our student-athletes are in the best hands possible.

One of the most exciting parts of the trip was visiting the facilities at these schools. From Stanford’s high-tech performance centers to Palm Beach Atlantic’s beautiful coastal campus, these environments provide the perfect backdrop for athletes to thrive. Our goal has always been to give our student-athletes access to the best resources, and this tour reaffirmed our mission.

Lastly, we visited one of the USA's most prominent cities, New York City to see one of the world's most famous tertiary education centers. Our final college visit took us to Ivy League university, Columbia University situated in the beautiful heart of Manhattan, it’s a very special place to be. We were lucky enough to recently place a student-athlete here (announcement to come). The athletic facilities were first-class, and arguably better than many professional organizations we’ve seen here in Australia. It provides the perfect balance of top academics, location, and high-level sports and we can't wait to continue our relationship with the coaches we met at Columbia.

Baker Athletic Complex, Columbia University Athletic Facilities

Overall, this US tour was a great reminder of why we do what we do. The connections we’ve made, the student-athletes we’ve supported, and the new opportunities we’re helping create all reinforce the importance of our work. We’re more committed than ever to continuing our mission of helping young student-athletes maximize their potential and shape their future in the US college system.

Keep an eye on our upcoming projects, and if you’re considering a future as an SCA student-athlete, don’t hesitate to reach out!