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Director Alexia Bates sits down with our newest team member, former US College Rower Meg Messer! They talk through what it’s like to enter the NCAA Division I system as an Australian student athlete when you don’t think you’re “a good student” yet. Meg breaks down the academic support that changed everything for her rowing at University of Minnesota: athletic academic advisers, structured tutoring, and a culture that celebrates improvement. If you’re wondering whether US universities only work for straight-A kids, her experience offers a far more accurate picture of how academic systems in college athletics are designed to help athletes pass, grow, and actually enjoy learning. Meg shares a typical weekday rhythm of training, classes, rehab, study blocks, and athlete dining hall routines, plus what she learned through student athlete development and Big Ten diversity and inclusion internships.  She also dives into her current work as a recruiting mentor at Study & Play USA: when working with athletes, she advises what to look for beyond scholarships, how to judge team culture, and why internships and community programs can matter as much as results on the water. Meg acknowledges how much work it takes to get to NCAA D1 rowing, so she finds her role at Study & Play USA as a recruitment mentor incredibly rewarding - right there supporting athletes from start to finish! Welcome to the team Meg! Enjoyed this episode?  Leave a review and tell us if you were surprised there was this much academic support at US colleges!

The SAT test has a reputation in Australia as a scary American rite of passage, but the truth is more useful and more manageable.  Director Chris Bates sits down with Jenny Cochrane from our new partners at Arbor Bridge to unpack what the SAT actually tests, why US College admissions teams still lean on this test, and why the move to the Digital SAT changes the game for international student-athletes. If you’ve heard “test optional” and assumed scores don’t matter, this chat will reset your expectations without the panic.   Jenny also explains how standardisation helps universities compare applicants across countries, and why the adaptive format rewards a very specific kind of preparation. We talk through what “adaptive” really means, how early accuracy influences the second module, and why the SAT is less about raw intellect and more about college readiness under pressure.  In this conversation, Jenny and Chris get practical: a proper full-length diagnostic under test-day conditions, a three-test timeline that avoids burnout, and the highest-leverage habits that lift scores fastest. Jenny shares common traps international students fall into, why overthinking hurts reading accuracy, and how getting comfortable with the built-in Desmos calculator can quickly improve maths performance. We also cover the scholarship angle and why even a modest score jump can translate into serious money.  "Finding trusted experts in SAT preparation and support for our student-athletes is a difficult process in a saturated market. Meeting Arbor Bridget and their team immediately allayed those concerns. The outcomes our student-athletes are attaining with the Arbor Bridge program positively impacts the quality of universities they can be admitted into and also their scholarship packages" -Chris and Alexia Bates Founders at Study & Play USA If you’re mapping a US College Sporting pathway, hit play, share this with a parent or teammate, and subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next.   Haven't left a review yet? Help this content reach more international student-athletes by reviewing In the Huddle!

On today's episode, we’re joined by Coach David Heller, a 12 year NCAA Division 1/2 men’s and women’s volleyball coach at Georgetown and University of Mount Olive to give Australian and other international athletes the straight story on what recruiting looks like from the coach’s side. What actually wins you a roster spot, why the “full ride” myth causes so much stress for families & more. Claire and Coach David dig into the real structure of men’s volleyball in the US: how NCAA divisions work, where JUCO and NAIA can be a smart pathway, and why Title IX and limited scholarship caps shape everything from roster decisions to how much money is available. David shares practical ways to think about costs, stacking academic and athletic aid where it’s allowed, and how to talk about budget without tying your self-worth to a dollar figure. Then we get highly specific on video footage. David breaks down what each position must show first in a highlight video, what coaches consider fluff, the camera angle that best shows movement and decision-making, and why full-match film is the difference between hype and reality.  Together, Coach David and Claire cover • cultural differences internationals face when arriving in the US system • why technical skill and high-level match experience can look different by country • how men’s volleyball scholarships work and why funding limits matter • men's volleyball opportunities in NCAA Division 1/2, Division III, NAIA and JUCO  • why you don't see as much media about NCAA men's volleyball compared with NCAA women's volleyball • why there is no relegation or promotion between divisions • when parents should join recruiting calls and how money questions change the process • why your worth is not tied to the dollar value of your scholarship • what men's volleyball coaches want in highlight videos by position plus best filming angles • why full match footage matters and how transfers can backfire without the right fit • pro volleyball realities post college and the daily goal setting that supports big dreams • the personal checklist method for making a confident university decision If you’re serious about men's US College volleyball recruiting, building a scholarship plan, and creating a standout highlight reel, this chat is the blueprint.  Subscribe for more honest recruiting guidance, share this with a teammate or parent, and leave us a review!

Director Chris Bates sits down with Paul Merritt and Matt Gillett to talk about building wealth and life skills that outlast a sporting career, from mentoring and personal brand to making smarter decisions with money. Paul, a third-generation real estate professional, has spent over 35 years working in property, building and development. Matt, a 10 year Brisbane Broncos, QLD State of Origin player and Australian Kangaroo representative, works in tandem with Paul to help semi pro and pro athletes make informed decisions about their future in house and land packages across Australia - before they sporting journey is over. In this conversation, Matt and Paul share unpack why financial planning early reduces pressure in the long run and creates real freedom for athletes. "We focus on residential, and we do that through house and land packages, so that's land and new builds. We do that all over Australia, that way we're not limited to any one particular market. We can also work with the player, with their financial planner or their broker on what sort of entity they want to purchase. So some somebody might want something that's negatively geared, or they might want cash flow, or they might want equity uplift, or a combination of both. And so at least following all the different markets can allow us to look at what that might mean for that particular person as we grow. We are definitely not interested in doing a deal with someone and and doing one house. We want them to build their wealth through property and that is building a portfolio. And that portfolio has a diversification of stock around the countryside." Throughout the conversation, Chris speaks to Paul and Matt on: • Paul’s background in real estate and why he focuses on athletes • Matt’s transition from NRL to life after footy and what he wishes he knew sooner • trusted mentors as a buffer against distractions and bad advice  • balancing big ambition with realistic steps and reset points • why life after sport can be 45 years long and requires a plan • how having a conversation with Merritt Sports before you are 'ready for real estate' can set you up with great building blocks  • what the Merritt Sports partnership offers Study & Play USA families • how house and land packages work and why data matters • starting with a financial health check and a simple savings roadmap • "FOMO" vs “FOGI” and choosing action in real estate when you are ready "We are always looking for ways in which Study & Play USA can provide our student-athletes with ongoing support in college and beyond. Partnering with Merritt Sports allows our student-athletes to be prepared for life in the workforce or life as a professional athlete, providing options for how to leverage their income and wealth through property investment. We are thrilled to partner with a company with a clear passion for sport and for athlete development." -Chris Bates, Director of Study & Play USA Whether you are a current US college athlete, recent US college graduate, in the workforce or playing professionally, Merritt Sports can help you with your real estate goals!  Learn more by visiting: https://merrittsports.com.au/   *Please note: at the time of recording, Chris spoke about 4 years of playing eligibility. Since then, the NCAA has passed a 5 for 5 rule in NCAA D1, allowing 5 years of playing eligibility.

NCAA Division I gets treated like the only destination for men's soccer, but that belief wrecks a lot of recruiting decisions. We’re joined by Aidan Twohig, a former Study & Play USA soccer player and (at the time of recording), an NAIA Assistant Men’s and Women’s soccer coach at Oklahoma City University, to talk candidly about what the US college soccer landscape actually looks like across NCAA, NAIA and JUCO. We dig into why NAIA men’s soccer can be seriously underrated: less funding, fewer media resources, and far less social content does not mean lower quality. Aidan explains why a cup-style tournament across all men's soccer divisions would be electric, and how cross-division preseason results often prove the 'gap' across divisions is smaller than people think. Then Claire and Aidan get practical about video - what makes a soccer highlight video worth watching in the first 90 seconds? What gets you ignored immediately? What are the green flags and red flags when you jump on a call with a men's soccer coach, and how do you show you’re genuinely interested without trying too hard? We also talk honesty in recruiting, why virtual campus tours should be non-negotiable for internationals, and Aidan repeats what we hear so often on this podcast - why fit matters even more than the division. If you’re an international footballer, a parent, or a coach helping athletes navigate the men's US college soccer recruiting landscape, this conversation will help you gain a deeper understanding of US men's collegiate soccer divisions and a desire to research more NAIA men's soccer games. Subscribe for more honest pathways chat, share this with a soccer player, and leave a review!

One tennis player in Los Angeles, one tennis player in Spokane, Washington and one basketballer in Sioux Center, Iowa! Listen in as Chris sits down with the Fairclough family to hear why all three children chose the US college sporting pathway. From a parent point of view, Sue and Graeme unpack the emotional logistics: pride mixed with distance, 4am match livestreams from Perth, and the shock of an empty house when all three kids are “gone, gone”. Their strongest advice for other parents is to prioritise familiarity: campus visits, meeting other families, seeing the dorms, and understanding the day-to-day routine makes the separation feel less abstract. Sue and Graeme also mention other American parents of teammates taking their kids under their wings - especially around holidays like Thanksgiving and college breaks.  "The opportunities that these guys are going to have as a result of not only their academic scholarship and the college they went to, the opportunity to do internships and so on and so forth, it's amazing. So very proud." -The Fairclough Parents

Claire sits down with US College Triathlon Coach Hannah Loftus from NCAA D1 Delaware State to unpack a very exciting emerging sport: NCAA Women's Triathlon.  Coach Loftus discusses race format, season flow, recruiting, team tactics, and why culture beats talent when stakes rise. A clear guide for international athletes on timelines, budgets, and the first email that gets a coach to click. why so many US college Triathlon teams have international student-athletesdistances for NCAA competitionsroster limitsschedule of NCAA Women's Triathlon: competitions and training blockshow team scoring works international recruiting steps and timelineswhat to include in your first email to coachesTitle IX and why women’s varsity triathlon can give out scholarships while men's triathlon cannotweather pivots, safety rules, and indoor setupsthe daunting "what is your budget" questiongreen and red flags on video callsCoach Hannah's parting advice: "Go for it. Reach out to schools and the coaches and see what can happen. There's no harm in trying." Like this episode? Share with an athlete friend of yours and leave a review! Each review helps bring this podcast to more a student-athletes looking to continue their sport in the US College System!

This episode is all about the bigger picture - no matter who you are or what sport you play, going through the US college recruiting process and then becoming a college athlete allows you to Zoom out and really appreciate your journey. Coach Kelly Kraiss from Clemson Women's Rowing team sits down with Claire to chat about the broader topic of a recruiting journey as well as life as a US college athlete. When the recruiting process gets bumpy—Coaches ghosting you from your dream school, shifting timelines—Coach Kelly’s mantra is to zoom out. How lucky are you as an athlete to even be in the recruiting process! So many athletes around the world do not have the opportunity in front of them to speak to a US college coach. She chronicles how rejection is in the recruitment process takes you one step closer to finding your right fit program. Just like many other coaches have echoed on In the Huddle, Coach Kelly emphasises the critical element of updating coaches in the recruiting process - "a green flag is when athletes initiate updates...I love when an athlete is willing to initiate!" Coach Kelly also shares her thoughts on the way you develop as a human being while going through the recruitment process and while you are at college, no matter what sport you are playing. Zoom out - being a US college athlete shapes the person you’ll become and provides you with a great mindset moving forward in your life - planning, communication, balance and perspective under pressure translates from the recruiting process & life as a college athlete into the 'real world'.  Of course they also dive deeper into the specifics of rowing as Claire asks Coach Kelly if she has any advice for younger rowers. Her advice? Try both sides of the boat, play other sports to grow your athletic base, take on small leadership roles, and pay attention to whether you love the sport as a whole. Enjoyed this one? Follow the show, share it with a teammate or parent who needs it, and leave a quick review to help more rowers find us.  Got a guest in mind? Send us a DM!

Want the real playbook behind Division 1 College golf recruiting? Chris Bates sits down with University of Arizona Wildcats Head Coach Jim Anderson to get a candid look at NCAA Division 1 golf recruiting. They discuss roster limits, rankings, culture when coaches choose their next class—and what athletes can do to stand out without getting lost in the noise. Coach Anderson breaks down what’s actually changed in college athletics and what remains timeless: a drive to compete, a tight-knit team culture, and the daily habits that make you better. He also explains how new roster limits make every scholarship decision matter and why one of his big things he looks for in a recruit is not talked about enough.  If you’re considering JUCO golf, you’ll hear Coach Anderson speak about a clear path forward. Playing time, U.S.-based results, tough competition and a second window to be recruited can be powerful—especially if you produce week after week. Coach Anderson and Chris also focus on 'right fit' - the relationship with your coaches, the internal competition that pushes you, and weighing up NIL money. Coach Anderson and Chris also address a widespread debate: College golf vs professional golf as a teenager. Coach Anderson's verdict? The college advantage is competition: world-class courses, teammates who raise your ceiling every day and growing as a human being under college coaches who truly care about you, ultimately graduating with a degree. Hit play, get the insights, and decide with clarity.  If this conversation helped, follow the show, share it with a teammate!

We are thrilled to introduce a new partnership for our Study & Play USA families: The Hidden Opponent! Listen as we sit down with NCAA Division I runner Vicky Datta from The Hidden Opponent to unpack the hidden realities of college sport as an international and the power of a community that says 'it’s okay not to be okay'. German athlete Vicky explains how The Hidden Opponent is breaking stigma with practical action: campus captains, mental health game days, and resources that make support easy to find.  She shares candid stories about moving from Germany to the United States, adjusting to new training loads and gym work, and navigating the business side of American college athletics where results can impact coaching jobs. Her playbook is clear and compassionate: communicate early, ask for help, and keep your identity bigger than your performance. Claire and Vicky cover: American athletes generally come into college knowing what to expect vs internationals not always knowingA lot of your American teammates may not know what you don't know Victoria's experience with being injured for 6 months and how she dealt with that mentally and physicallyCollege can be an amazing experience but also hard at the same time - both things can coexistSpeaking up can be hard, but it is so important to speak up if you need helpThe importance of familiarising yourself with the gym before heading over to college for the first time Vicky's biggest takeaway lands with heart: sport is a business, but your self-worth is not. When injuries occur or homesickness hits, stay connected to your team, lean on counselling, and let team community carry you through the hard bits. The Hidden Opponent’s expanding international chapter proves that vulnerability travels; when others share openly, you don’t have to. If this conversation helps you or someone you love, subscribe, share it with a teammate or parent, and leave a review so more athletes can find the support they deserve. Vicky Datta Instagram: @victoriadatta_  The Hidden Opponent - The Founder's Ted Talk:  youtube.com/watch/?vSdk7pLpblls

Two unlikely travel mates and a tour of the American South that turns into a masterclass on what college sport really demands. We bring together Jesse Williams, national champion at Alabama and Super Bowl winner, and Chris Bates, a former Oklahoma State tennis player and founder of Study & Play USA, to map the modern pathway for Australian student athletes. Across locker rooms and alumni halls, we test the myths. Is JUCO a step down or a launch pad? Does NIL change everything or just turn up the noise? Jesse cuts through with lived experience: be undeniable. Best players play, but the best people last. He shares how JUCO forged resilience, why Alabama’s culture still shapes his life, and how alumni support in the U.S. feels like coming home. We talk about the transfer portal, social media pressure, and the simple truth that winning cultures value character as much as speed and strength. If you’re an Aussie eyeing the U.S., this is your blueprint. We break down why data-driven combines matter, how to build a credible athletic and academic profile, and why the right mindset beats hype every time. You’ll hear the line that stopped a future first-rounder in his tracks: bridge the gap between who you think you are and who you really are. It’s tough-love mentorship delivered with clarity, purpose, and a clear call to action—give yourself twelve months to build the missing 10 percent. Subscribe for more stories, practical steps, and honest insight on U.S. college sport. If this helped sharpen your plan, share it with a mate who needs a push and leave a review to help others find the pathway.

Think you know U.S. college sport from the headlines? Try walking seven campuses in ten days and stepping inside the rooms where performance is built. We share what’s actually changed since COVID and why the pathway for Australian student athletes is more compelling than ever. From the moment we arrived, the pattern was unmistakable: proximity drives progress. Training centres, rehab, academic support, and fueling stations sit within a short walk of the dorms. That convenience isn’t just nice to have; it hardwires better habits. We unpack how facilities have levelled up across divisions, why nutrition stations are everywhere, and how live data in gyms and tennis centres is turning PBs and workload into daily decisions. The vibe is alive, the systems are mature, and the focus is clear: help athletes improve faster. Coaches told us their appetite for internationals is growing, with Australians high on the list. The reason is athletes who travel far tend to value the opportunity and stick the process. We explain how to stand out: start early, build your baseline before you go, and use film, results, and academics to widen your options. We also cut through media noise: the “student athlete bubble” is real, and day-to-day life is more about class, training, and team travel than politics or headlines. NIL is reshaping incentives, especially where American football’s economic engine is strongest. We take you behind the scenes at places like USC, Clemson, Georgia, and Alabama to show how game-day scale funds world-class support across sports. Even if your sport is smaller, understanding NIL, compliance, and personal brand can open real doors. It all adds up to a simple truth: if you prepare well before you land, the system is ready to accelerate you.

What happens when a single Facebook message completely changes your life? For Sarah Abrams, a talented young rower from Australia's Hunter Valley, that message—which she initially suspected was a scam—became the first step on an extraordinary journey across the Pacific to NCAA Division I rowing. Alexia sits down with Sarah as she shares the raw, unfiltered story of her transformation from a high school athlete who "didn't even know what a conference was" to an accomplished collegiate rower at the University of Tennessee. With disarming honesty and infectious enthusiasm, she recounts the whirlwind decision to accept a January intake offer that had her boarding a plane in late December, fighting back tears as she left everything familiar behind. Those early months tested her resilience as she navigated intense training camps, academic pressures, and profound homesickness—yet the community she found among teammates and coaches became her lifeline. Sarah debunks the myth that pursuing American collegiate athletics means sacrificing opportunities to represent your home country, sharing how she successfully made the Australian national team while competing for Tennessee. The emotion in Sarah's voice is palpable as she describes putting on the green and gold: "There's a kangaroo on my back!" Alexia and Sarah also cover an aspect of Sarah's journey often overlooked in the media despite its significant impact: the transition back to your home country after US college graduation. After four years of independence, intense training, and immersion in American culture, Sarah speaks about returning to her childhood bedroom and adjusting to life without her established college support network. She dives into the importance of self-compassion during this transition, allowing oneself to feel the full range of emotions that come with such a significant life change. Whether you're a listener considering a US rowing scholarship, supporting someone who is, or simply curious about different US college sporting pathways, Sarah's journey offers valuable wisdom about embracing opportunities, trusting the process, and discovering capabilities you never knew you possessed. Listen now to understand why this self-proclaimed "hype woman" believes this experience—challenges and all—was unequivocally "the best thing I've ever done." Loving this podcast? Leave us a review and send us any guests & topics you want us to cover via email at [email protected]

Imagine getting DM'd by an American coach, thinking it was a scam, realising it was not a scam, being offered a full ride scholarship, committing to an NCAA D1 program in New York, being weeks away from flying over and then being told: "oh you are not eligible to compete in NCAA D1."  This was Angus Alberts' story, an Australian National champion shot putter from Lara, Victoria who went through the college recruitment process on his own. What seemed like a dream opportunity for Angus quickly unravelled. This setback could have ended Angus' American dreams altogether. Instead, it became the first chapter in an even more remarkable journey. With guidance from Study & Play USA, Angus discovered the junior college pathway—initially reluctant but ultimately the perfect fit for his athletic and academic development. Now at Iowa Central Community College, he's thriving both on and off the field, having earned All-American status in outdoor shot put during his freshman year. Angus and Kelly sit down with Claire to discuss the surprise and confusion when they were told Angus was not eligible for NCAA D1. Surely the coach who had promised a full scholarship would have known from Angus' report cards that he was a few core courses short of the required 16 for NCAA D1? For aspiring college athletes facing obstacles, Angus offers a powerful perspective: "People will see how you bounce back... I pride myself heavily on it." His journey from disappointment to achievement demonstrates that setbacks often lead to better pathways when met with perseverance.

Chris Bates sits down with former college tennis athlete Tayah Cross, to discuss one of our most requested topics: the process of studying in a US college and then returning back to Australia to practice as a physio. Unlike the direct entry Australian model, Tayah's journey took her from an undergraduate kinesiology degree with a minor in French from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, to a Doctor of Physiotherapy at Bond University, culminating in a prestigious clinical placement at Stanford University where she worked with collegiate athletes—coming full circle in her educational journey. Tayah discusses the varying classes she originally took in her freshman and sophomore year and how the flexible US college system supported her to try different courses before landing on kinesiology. She also reflects on how her experience as a college athlete has enabled her to become a fantastic physio, relating her own life experiences to many athletes she treats in her professional world.