Are you a parent of a young soccer player with aspirations of going pro? Do you find yourself lost in the complex landscape of international soccer, unsure of how to navigate the path to success? If so, this blog post is for you.
This post features insights from a FIFA-licensed football agent, who uses his platform, Soccer Family Agent, to empower parents and playersby enlightening them about the professional pathways available, which he says most people are unaware of.
Key Takeaways:
- Beyond the Draft: In soccer, unlike other sports, the path to professional leagues is not simply through college and a draft.
- Active Involvement is Crucial: Just as you would be involved in your child’s academic career, you need to actively participate in their soccer journey. This means being involved in every facet of their development, including their mental and emotional state, as well as the technical side of the game.
- Understanding the Soccer Landscape: A key part of navigating the soccer world is understanding the landscape. Most parents and players do not know the professional leagues, the clubs, or the second-tier developmental leagues.
- The Role of a Soccer Family Agent: A soccer family agent is not just a typical agent, but an opportunity broker, a mentor, a psychologist, a cheerleader, a friend, and a collaborator. This kind of management is crucial to uplift and develop a young player.
- Family as Catalysts: Many professional soccer players have family members, especially parents, who have been instrumental in their success by learning the landscape and generating opportunities for them.
Key topics discussed include:
- The importance of having multiple backup plans for a player’s pathway.
- The fact that the American soccer system relies on a non-existent college draft system for the majority of players.
- The subjectivity of soccer talent evaluation.
- How to connect the dots and generate opportunities, including tryouts and contracts.
The Soccer Family Agent Course
The Soccer Family Agent course, an eight-module, 13-hour course is designed to equip parents with the knowledge and skills needed to manage their child’s soccer career. The course covers topics such as how to manage a soccer player’s career, as well as understanding the soccer landscape. This course is designed to empower parents to become as capable as any professional soccer agent, and to give them the tools to manage their child’s pathway to becoming a professional soccer player.
The course is embedded within the World Soccer Resource Center, which provides an in-depth look at the soccer landscape in 25 countries and also in the US, with its multiple leagues and developmental clubs. The website features videos that go into detail about leagues and opportunities in each country and provides links to the governing bodies of football in those countries.
Special Offer:
There is a special discount code “njc33” for a 33% discount on the Soccer Family Agent course, plus a one-hour one-on-one consultation.
Why This Information Matters
This information is more than just a discussion about soccer; it’s a call to action for parents to take an active role in their children’s athletic pursuits. It highlights the need for informed guidance, strategic planning, and unwavering support in the highly competitive world of professional soccer. Whether you’re a parent of a young soccer player or a coach looking to guide young talent, this information offers valuable insights that can empower you to make the most of the opportunities available in the global soccer landscape.
Challenges Young Soccer Players Face
The numerous challenges that young soccer players face in pursuing a professional career include:
- Lack of Awareness of Pathways: Many young athletes and their parents are unaware of the various professional pathways available. They may believe that the only way to the professional ranks is through college and the draft, but in soccer, this is not the case.
- Limited Understanding of the Soccer Landscape: Players and parents often lack knowledge about the different leagues, clubs, and developmental opportunities that exist. They may not know the locations of clubs, the various leagues, or how recruitment works. This lack of knowledge can put players at a disadvantage when seeking professional opportunities.
- The Subjectivity of Talent Evaluation: Soccer is a subjective sport, and talent evaluation can vary significantly among coaches and scouts. A player might be considered not good enough by one scout, while another may see potential. This subjectivity means that players need to be seen by the right coach or scout who appreciates their specific style or strengths.
- The Need for Proactive Management: Unlike in academics where parents are generally involved, many parents are not actively involved in their children’s soccer careers, which can hinder a player’s chances of making it to the pros. Young players need someone managing their pathway, leveraging opportunities, and guiding them. It’s not enough to rely on being discovered; players need someone to promote them and their abilities.
- The Demise of the Draft System: The traditional college draft system is not a reliable pathway to a professional career in soccer, especially on the women’s side where it has been dropped. There are a limited number of players that are drafted, and even fewer who end up with a professional contract. As a result, players need to be proactive in seeking opportunities through recruitment at the grassroots level.
- Over-Reliance on the College Pathway: In the United States, many believe that the only way to a professional soccer career is through college. However, it is clear that a very small number of college players make it to the professional level through the draft, and the draft is non-existent for women.
- Competition: There is a high level of competition in soccer, and many players do not get the chance to play professionally. Players who are talented may not make it if they don’t have the right opportunities, or are not in the right place at the right time, or are not seen by the right coach.
These challenges highlight the importance of having a knowledgeable and proactive person, such as a “soccer family agent”, to help navigate the complex world of professional soccer. This individual can manage a player’s career, promote their abilities, and connect them with the right opportunities.
Take Action Today
If you are a parent of a young soccer player with aspirations of playing professionally, now is the time to get involved and learn about the pathways that are available. Consider taking the Soccer Family Agent course and using the discount code “njc33” to get started on the journey to help your child achieve their dreams.
https://soccerfamilyagent.teachable.com/p/home