NSR

[Blacky11]

Has anyone on here had any first hand experience in relation to this program???

[juniorsupporter]

I have not had first hand experience, however the price seems very steep for something that you could do yourself. I'm not sure how connected they are with college coaches in the US, but I know that through email, a highlight video and football resume that it isn't all that difficult to contact university coaches yourself and have them respond. Furthermore, for the $5000 you could attend a camp at the university(ies) you want to go to and meet the coach and players in person and get a real feel for what you're signing up for. It's an awfully big decision to leave any part of it to somebody else.

I don't believe top NCAA division 1 programs (say top 50) are using the NSR to find their players. International players for those programs would come from national teams. I would think that the programs that consult the registry are lower tier, more remote division 1 and division 2 schools. All I can say is players need to do their homework- ask the right questions regarding the program, how they play, where the school is located, and most importantly what the academic programs are like because, after all, very few female players make a living playing soccer for any length of time. Make sure that both the school and the soccer program is a good fit for the player. Not all universities are the same. At all.

I worry that people and players here with dreams of a full ride to a top 25 program, and who haven't done any research about the process and have no knowledge of the way things work over there are being taken advantage of. Maybe I'm wrong, but I would be very careful. In general if something sounds too good to be true, it is.

Like I said, no first hand experience with NSR, but I do have some knowledge of the American university system and sports recruiting in general.

[Blacky11]

Thanks JS a very informative answer

[SAD GAL]

Who runs it?

[juniorsupporter]

www.nsrsocceraustralia.com/

[SAD GAL]

Thanks

Is this the mob Quigs used to get to the USA?

[juniorsupporter]

I am fairly sure that she found her place another way. From what I can see the nsr only deals with us colleges and universities. I believe Quigs is playing for a WPSL club In Kansas City. Maybe Retired has more info?

[M@rvin]

Rach did not use NSR but found the team herself.
NSR only for placing students in the US college sports system.

[Unretired]

With Social media and the internet it is quite easy to find information on colleges and coaches over in America. With time and effort you can search most colleges to find out what they offer and with in those pages normally you will find coaches direct email address.

A few years ago it probably would have been easier to go thru NSR. But everything is so accessible thru the internet that all you have to do is type in what your looking for.
http://www.ncaa.com/sports/soccer-women/d1 which is good place to start looking if you want to go to college over there...

Rach is not going over there to study, she will be playing for the Kansas City Shock who play in the Womens Premier Soccer League

[SAD GAL]

Thanks for the reply. Apologies for any offence caused to Racheal.

I agree Retired. You can get this information through other good sources. Years ago, you had no choice coz people like NSR had the networks and contacts.

A few years back (at least 10) Chris Fleetwood was doing a similar thing over here. Not sure if he’s still scouting and providing girls with contact and opportunities to do O/s.

[Unretired]

All good SAD GAL, no offence taken.

[happy]

www.elitecollegesoccer.com

[neits/burgo/shadow]

Everything the NSR do to get players into a college are all things the player/parent can do on their own (minus the expenses given by the NSR).

Simple as Googling NCAA Div 1 Colleges, find ones that have soccer programs, make a short list of the colleges you are interested in (academic program, location, soccer program - all things to take into consideration), email the coaches, wait for a reply. Some college athletic departments in each school actually give you detailed instructions on what you need to do to apply. Often the first reply from a coach is 'Please send me a highlights dvd and playing history', so have that ready. Then wait to see what coaches need players and will offer the % scholarship you are happy with.

Simple really.

Dont give up your money to NSR, save it for the flight to the US once your child gets the scholarship

PS: I am not part of the NSR, however, I do have some contacts at US colleges if anyone needs them. Coaches I have been coached by and met. Reliable source right here....Email me at nenita@chelseafcssph.com

[brushmancity]

My Daughter has been chosen for this programme. Can anybody tell me how many were picked as I can't believe how she was picked??
She has only played Women's Football for 1 year playing in Division 4 not one of the elitist leagues, but did play in the EDJSA for 7 years in mixed teams.
Maybe I'm a sceptic or cynic but before I pay $2000 I need more details.You see they don't give you time to get the money as it is to be paid 25th March,what happens if it isn't paid on time??

[neits/burgo/shadow]

$2000?!?
Honestly, don't waste your money. There are cheaper ways to get a US college scholarship.

[SAD GAL]

Listen to Burgo. She has the inside knowledge.

Also, Lollipop is another good avenue.

If it isn't college (and you get an education - to set you up in life) why would you go o/s? No offence however, a career is preferable over football. If you can combine both then great.

$2K? Nearly as bad as the fees being charged for state or schoolgirls.

[on-side]

My son was also picked for this. We didnt end up accepting the offer mainly because of the cost.

I couldnt believe the selection process either. 1 person trying to watch two small pitches of 20 players each.

I believe that they offered interviews (next stage of selection) to every kid who came out, even though their information says they only offered interviews for 20 players. I dont believe that for a second. There is no way they could know how well you played from what they saw.

If you work it out - if 100 players come out, and say 50 end up coming to the interview and only 20% of those accept the offer and pay the money NSR still makes $40,000. (10 players at $4000).

And that was only in one age group.

[brushmancity]

Thanks for the feedback and I am going to knock it back.Ever since my divorce my daughter has lived with me and when she doesn't get her own way she has a hissy fit.Well this time if you see big dark clouds forming over craigmore you can bet that this will be the mother of all hissyfits.Thank You all and I agree that there has to be a better and cheaper way of getting a scholarship.

[grandparent]

My granddaughter got selected in this as well about 2 years ago and her parents had to pay $2000 as well as they had to do a video of at least 5 games and that is in the first year. in the second year it is more expensive and you have to do more video's to go on your profile which is available to all colleges and universities in the USA. The process was the same as mentioned before trials then an interview and your school grades are taken into account aw well.

My granddaughter is currently in contact with the University Of South Carolina and she was originally going to go this year but has put it back till 2014. But as was mentioned before if you can do the work yourself and avoid paying all that money then that's is the way to go.

[juniorsupporter]

Does anyone know whether any SA girls have gotten scholarships through NSR? Went to website and saw that one or two were listed as "committed". Does anyone know what schools they committed to?

[beaches]

One thing complete year 12 before contemplating any move toward applying directly to Uni/Colleges in USA.
Good to do some research in the mean time. What one wants to do after football is important also (academically).
Retention records by Uni's of overseas players is another aspect to consider, if one sees that overseas players do their full 4 years, probably means a happy place to be. As Burgo said start compiling a DVD on highlights of ones career and a history resume.

[Gazelle]

My belief is that following the US college pathway through NSR is a mistake.

They offer you an online profile, etc. but there are NO GUARANTEES that US Colleges will bite. If they don't like what they see, the upfront payment will be wasted - and more disappointingly, your daughter will be devastated.

Do the online profile yourself, save money (as previously stated) and if she's good enough, the colleges will contact you personally so your knowledge on the process will be greater as well.

[juniorsupporter]

I really wasn't looking to reopen the debate on the issue of whether to use the NSR or not- my daughter doesn't plan to use them but I can understand those who might choose to just because the system over there is so unfamiliar. I think the earlier postings on this thread have just about exhausted the arguments for and against.

I was only asking which schools those SA girls listed as "committed" were going to.

[Ham1959]

Hi everyone DO NOT SEND YOUR SON TO LASSEN COLLEGE if Coach Ben Wade is the soccer coach because he will try and promise that your son has s place on the team but when he arrives he will be forced to participate in try outs for the squad with 50 other guys for a 25 man squad. Last year all our boys were lied to by Coach Wade that they had a place on the team before they left Australia only to arrive at Lassen College and be told they had to try out for the team. This has cost me in excess of $10,000. A very costly lesson learn't.

[on-side]

Hi everyone DO NOT SEND YOUR SON TO LASSEN COLLEGE if Coach Ben Wade is the soccer coach because he will try and promise that your son has s place on the team but when he arrives he will be forced to participate in try outs for the squad with 50 other guys for a 25 man squad. Last year all our boys were lied to by Coach Wade that they had a place on the team before they left Australia only to arrive at Lassen College and be told they had to try out for the team. This has cost me in excess of $10,000. A very costly lesson learn't.

You should also post this in the Mens forum as well.

[Scarpa]

My child was selected for NSR, we got a letter in the mail saying that NSR selectors had attended games and she had been selected to try out for the program. She is a strong player, but not to the level of the W league or rep players.
We went to the trials and soon after we got a letter stating that she had been selected and to be part of the program and a $5k non refundable fee was required to be paid to secure her place, this price tag would guarantee her a place a a US college or university.
The caveat was if you dont accept the offer you can not participate in the program in the future.
It should have rung alarm bells...but everyone was caught up in the "play in the US"..."Colledge education" thing.
I'm not saying it is a scam, although the sales tactics are a lot like time share sales in Thailand.
You have to think of the following....
1, They target players when they are young, 14-16yo (those who are soccer mad, have watched Bend it like Beckham and have dreams of playing overseas or for a big team)
2, NSR advertise your child to colleges and universities, you do most of the work like getting video footage.
3, Only the elite players receive full scholarships, most are about 85% of costs. So it is not fully funded.
4, They use mainly colleges, which are the equivalent of TAFEs, so certificates or diplomas, not degrees.
5, NSR get money up front, and dont give it back. So if your child decides when they are older, say 18, that they want to go to an Australian university and realise that the US was not what they really wanted there is no refund for "Changing your mind". Actually there is no refund period.
On the positive side a lot of the staff have been through the program, and speak very highly and passionately about it. But still no refund.

So if you have a spare $5k that you dont really need for anything else (like towards a car when they get their licence) and you think that your 14 year old child absolutely knows what they want to do when they have finished high school and are willing to leave their family and friends to live somewhere in the US for two years then it is a good deal.

Otherwise the saying "Caveat emptor" or "Let the buyer beware" is appropriate. If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.

[SAD GAL]

RUN

[watto^77]

Hi everyone DO NOT SEND YOUR SON TO LASSEN COLLEGE if Coach Ben Wade is the soccer coach because he will try and promise that your son has s place on the team but when he arrives he will be forced to participate in try outs for the squad with 50 other guys for a 25 man squad. Last year all our boys were lied to by Coach Wade that they had a place on the team before they left Australia only to arrive at Lassen College and be told they had to try out for the team. This has cost me in excess of $10,000. A very costly lesson learn't.

And to add to this NSR arranged placements those boys who were caught up in something that is not controlled by NSR. Due to this coaches unprofessional conduct Lassen College is closing down it's "soccer" program, which sad and affects a lot of players at that college. So who's to blame.. I think it's very unfair to blame NSR. What happened at Lassen is not the norm.

I believe 4 boys were caught up in this 2 have been replaced and playing football in America.

I have a son in this NSR program so I picked up the phone and asked what the situation was. They were honest and open about the situation and they to were not happy with what happened but did everything they could to find placements for those affected. I believe 2 choose to stay and be replaced at another college and 2 choose to not to and came home.

[Shaper23]

NSR are a group of cons that sucker kids and parents alike into believing they were 'selected' to be a part of their program and paint a picture of making their dreams come true when in reality every contact they recieve they offer a place in their program too if they'll pay the $5000. I unfortunately was one of the stupid ones that fell for this and they literally find a coach anywhere that will say yes to not even necessarily putting the player on the team but just having a look. I was sent to a community college which I was told could lead to a transfer to UCLA and me naively not knowing the American system got really excited and jumped at this to find myself stuck in a tiny town, living in a shack and only on trial at the college, I luckily made the team but there was 5 other Australians sent by NSR that did not make the team and had to have their pride shot and go back home only a few days in to their adventure and realistically I should have swallowed my pride and returned home as wel as the living conditions were atrocious and it was a horrible experience. To top all that off I found out that all other foreign players there had simply just emailed the coach to join the college team themselves and spent no money, not only had I payed an unnessecary $5000 but NSR completely lied about the cost of this college and failed to inform me that I'd only be eligible to play for 2 years which is not enough time to finish the degree. Needless to say $40,000 of debt later I came back home with an expensive experience, no degree and my life in tatters as I'd put hope in a fraudulent company that offers nothing of value and takes $5000 from anyone stupid enough to fall for their lies that dreams can come true. Steer clear and I hope I can prevent others from making the same mistake this company needs to be shut down.

[Journeyman]

Shaper, i'm sorry to hear that your experience has been tainted with bad memories and left a bad taste in your mouth.

I too had a daughter that attended an NSR trial and was 'selected' to proceed with the trialing process. I know a little bit about how to run trials and what to look for in players when making selections and I always thought that the whole process seemed very superficial, poorly run and 'fast paced'. I was surprised to see a current WNPL coach out there aswell. I wasn't keen on the whole process, but try discouraging a 15 year old girls dreams. I'd suggest its easier to solve the Middle East crisis than to tactfully suggest to a girl keen on playing football overseas whilst getting an education at the same time, that the NSR system is the best way to do it.

When she was selected and we received the letter in the mail a week later with the process involved, along with the pamphlet outlining the 'fine print', alarm bells stared to ring. $5000 to get the ball rolling, a guarantee on finding a school and 2 rear scholarship seemed like it wasnt all that it was cracked up to be. My daughter was a handy player at that stage, but in my opinion not quite up the the standard it appeared she would be playing at. I did a bit of research, asked people who I know would be in 'the know' and then had to have that talk with my daughter. It didnt go down very well, but after a while I think she thanked me for telling her straight.

Now, having said that, I do know of 3 or 4 girls who either have started their college careers or are about to begin their careers through the NSR system. 2 that have just finished their first year and have enjoyed the experience so far, and 2 that ive been asked to write references for. I'm asked this quite often. Whats the NSR system like and I will always give my honest opinion of what I believe to be a business whose model is not all thats its cracked up to be. It might suit some , but they will be in the minority. Others, like Shaper will come away disillusioned and angry.

My advice to anyone on this is to carefully read the fine print. What happens after 2 years and i dont continue ? What kind of school will I be going to ? ( some are not much better than TAFE or WEA ) How will I support myself when I'm over there ? Its an expensive experience ( wow 40K for nothing but bad memories and a bitter taste )

I've read a bit about a program that runs out of Western Australia which targets players ( both male and female ) who are looking to go to college in the US and play football and they select a squad and travel to a tournament in the US ( Los Vegas i think ) where college scouts attend and this appears to me to be a better way to go about it. Its alot less expensive and I feel it gives the player a taste of what to experience without having to pull up stumps and go all that way only to be disappointed. The tournament puts you out there for scouts to see, and if your good enough and selected it might be a better way to go. Its another option.

Personally, i would think that what the NSR do for $5000, can be done with a bit of research, a bit of time and a camcorder.