Here are the most Frequently Asked Questions about our October 25th conference, The Next Level.
Athlete: I don’t see my sport on your list of speakers, is it still worthwhile to attend?
Access Sport: Yes, absolutely! Sports may have different recruiting timelines, requirements, scholarships, signing dates but the general process is the same. Same relationship building, outside of sport specific skills coaches generally look for the same characteristics in an athlete and it is the same process to identify your target schools regardless of your sport. You will leave this event having a good idea of what to expect in the recruiting process and understanding what your options are both in Canada and in the United States.
Parent: We have already signed with a recruiting agency OR We have been contacted by many agencies already, we aren’t into that. OR I don’t really want to buy anything.
AS: The first thing to understand is we are not an agency. Read this blog post to get a full explanation on the differences between Access Sport and a typical sport recruiting agency. At the most basic, Access Sport is interested in informing and educating athletes, parents and coaches about what options are available to athletes after high school. We can answer questions about the process, provide structure, motivation and accountability to athletes as they identify, and pursue these options. And be a source of information in preparing athletes to be mentally, physically and emotionally ready for university athletics.
Further to this, it doesn’t matter if you have signed with a recruiting agency. It doesn’t matter if you sign with Access Sport. By attending this conference you will not be required to buy any of our services (although we certainly make ourselves available to you as a resource if you want it!) Our goal is to provide a one day “Bootcamp” with all the information a family would need in order to be completely informed about their post secondary options.
Coach: I only have one or two athletes that are graduating, so maybe next year.
AS: There is a common misconception about recruiting in Canada, and that is regarding the timeline of an athlete identifying that they want to pursue post secondary athletics, and making contact with schools. We often have athletes come to us in grade 12 and say we want to do this. If you are pursuing NCAA options, by grade 12 your window of opportunity is already almost closed! We have had athletes be offered scholarship, and sign with universities late in their final year of school, but by this time you are leaving your chances to luck. The best time to begin to consider your NCAA options is in grade 9! It seems early, but as Canadian coaches we must be encouraging our young athletes to start thinking about their next steps, and start setting goals.
Coaches, we encourage you to attend this event and learn about the recruiting process your athletes are about to embark on so you can advise them in the future.
Access Sport is committed to helping athletes find success. Our mission goes beyond college recruiting. We strive to provide services, events and support that will:
• Motivate and guide our clients to elevate their game and be better athletes through fitness, strength and conditioning, and foster a better understanding of their bodies and muscles.
• Help our athletes develop life skills such as time management, organization, telephone skills, relationship building, resume building, interviewing and other business skills that will benefit them beyond sport, and into their professional career.
• Help develop our athletes into well-rounded people that are confident leaders, good sportsmen and quality teammates.
Our goal is to see you be successful, and achieve your goals. Whatever those goals may be and wherever those goals may take you!
Do you have questions? Let us know in the comments!
Join us on October 25th! We promise it will be a great investment into your successful future!