Partnering With
Platform Sports
Amrit Sagar Rai
13 Aug 2026
Prepared by Miguel Da Silva
The Opportunity
Partnership Opportunity
A formal partnership with Platform Sports gives your academy's athletes a direct, trusted pathway to U.S. college sport — backed by a team that supports them from first conversation through to graduation.
Australasia's Leading Athlete Pathway & Advisory Company
Platform Sports Management helps student-athletes secure sports and academic scholarships at U.S. colleges. Founded in 2014, we're the largest independent student-athlete placement agency in Australasia — head office in Auckland, New Zealand, with a second office in Gold Coast, Australia. We guide families through consultation, preparation, coach connections, and placement, then stay involved all the way through to graduation.
Since 2014
Our Story
Platform Sports was built to fix a system full of misinformation and little ongoing support. From day one, the goal has been a safer, more transparent pathway for Australasian athletes into U.S. college sport — not just a placement, but the right university, where an athlete can thrive academically, athletically, and personally.
Proven Success
Over $200M+ in scholarships and 2,000+ athletes placed, we know what it takes to succeed.
Personalised Guidance
Support tailored to your family's unique goals, every step of the way.
Trusted Expertise
Parents, athletes, and coaches trust us to guide their journey with care and confidence.
What started as a one-person operation out of New Zealand has grown into a full Australasian team — today spanning two offices and supporting athletes across 15+ countries.
Auckland
New Zealand · Head office
Gold Coast
Australia · Australia office
Our Services
Core Services
- 1
Recruitment Strategy
Scholarship targeting across D1, D2, NAIA, JUCO, and UK. A clear 12–36 month roadmap with full family alignment baked in from day one.
- 2
Academic & Eligibility Support
Eligibility guidance, academic evaluation, athletic KPI benchmarking, and SAT/testing strategy to ensure you're competitive on both fronts.
- 3
Testing Guidance
Professional highlight video, polished athlete profile, coach-ready materials, and portal access — everything a coach needs to say yes.
- 4
Showcase Opportunities
Direct outreach to college coaches, targeted program strategy, ongoing exposure campaigns, and weekly communication updates to keep momentum high.
Our Difference
How We're Different
- One-to-one, personalised guidance rather than a generic agency process
- A team built from former college coaches and former college athletes who lived the pathway themselves
- No commission ever taken from universities — every recommendation is athlete-first
- Support continues through to graduation, not just the placement
- A decade-deep network of university and coach connections across NZ and Australia
Beyond Placement
The Athlete Journey
Platform Sports is not a referral or placement-only service. We support athletes before recruitment, through recruitment, and throughout their U.S. college experience.
Every athlete's journey is mapped from day one: onboarding and preparation, building recruitment readiness, coach networking, offers and commitment, then the practical steps of application, visa, and departure. Support doesn't stop at signing — it continues through four years in the United States.
- Onboard
- Support
- College IQ
- Market Ready
- Networked
- Coach Interest
- Coach Meetings
- Offers
- College Commitment
- College Application
- Visa
- Departure
- Protect
- Year 1
- Year 2
- Year 3
- Year 4
Our Approach
How We Support Athletes
- Honest, evidence-based evaluation — we never overstate an athlete's ability or set unrealistic expectations
- Education on the recruitment process so athletes and families understand every step
- A named point of contact throughout, not a rotating call centre
- Support that continues after placement, through to graduation
Working Together
How the Partnership Works
Platform Sports’ responsibilities
- Provide a dedicated Platform Sports representative for the partnership
- Run introductory sessions for interested athletes and families
- Assess athletes' recruitment readiness and U.S. college pathway options
- Keep your academy informed on the progress of referred athletes (with athlete/family consent)
- Never guarantee admission, scholarship, or roster outcomes to any athlete
Partner’s responsibilities
- Introduce Platform Sports to interested athletes and families
- Support scheduling of introductory sessions where relevant
- Share co-branded materials provided by Platform Sports with your community
- Notify Platform Sports of any change in an athlete's availability or circumstances
Meet The Team
Our Team
Amrit Rai
Founder & CEO
Secured over $100 million in sports scholarships since founding Platform Sports in 2014.
Pamela Saville
Operations Manager
Background in the sports and events industry, with years of experience and a deep passion for helping others.
Craig McGinlay
Athlete Placement
Supports student-athletes through the U.S. college recruitment process, helping them take the right steps.
Sammi Tawharu
Support Manager
Represented New Zealand in soccer and competed in the NCAA Division I system.
Daniel Persson
Tennis Placement
Brings first-hand experience of the U.S. college tennis pathway, having gone through the process himself.
William Clarkson
Recruitment Manager
Placed over 70 student-athletes, securing more than $10 million in scholarships.
Mack Roach
Placement Manager
Brings first-hand experience of the U.S. college soccer pathway, having competed at NCAA Division I level.
Leah Bermudez
Athlete Support
Brings first-hand experience of the U.S. college soccer pathway, having been a standout defender at Gannon University.
Miguel Da Silva
Talent Scout
Supports student-athletes and families through the U.S. college soccer recruitment process.
Jay Harrison
Talent Scout
Brings firsthand knowledge of the U.S. college system and the unique journey international student-athletes face.
Bianca Stiles
Recruiter
Former U.S. college athlete from New Zealand and a graduate of Post University, where she earned her MBA.
Josh Tufino
Video Editor
Produces highlight videos and recruiting content.
Proven Results
Testimonials & Success Stories
“I can't thank the team at Platform Sports enough for their incredible support in helping me secure a swimming scholarship at Penn State University. Their personalised guidance, extensive network, and deep understanding of the process made my journey from New Zealand to the US a breeze. If you're a swimmer looking to make a splash across the Pacific, Amrit, Tash, and the team are your ultimate gateway.”
Cooper Morley
Athlete · Swimming · New Zealand · Penn State
“I'm so excited to announce my commitment to the University of Kentucky to continue my academic and swimming career! A huge thank you to Tash and Will from Platform Sports Management for all their support and guidance throughout this journey. I'm so grateful for everything they've done to help make this dream a reality.”
Ali Sharp
Athlete · Swimming · Australia · University of Kentucky
“Platform was very helpful in taking me through the college recruitment process. They assisted me in talking to schools and helped me secure a scholarship.”
Zack Swanwick
Athlete · Golf · New Zealand · University of Florida
“The team at Platform has made my journey toward studying in the U.S. so much easier. I've worked closely with Mack and Pamela, and they've both been amazing — always quick to respond, super supportive, and able to set up meetings almost instantly. Overall, the whole experience has felt smooth, stress-free, and genuinely enjoyable. I'd definitely recommend Platform to anyone considering this path!”
Max Drescher
Athlete · Golf · Germany · Garden City Junior College
“Platform Sports was very helpful and made me comfortable in my college recruiting process. Honesty was the top thing I got with Platform. I knew that with every move made, there was a sense of purpose, and they had my best interest at heart. It made my life easier, and I felt that I wasn't being told what to do but more guided in the direction that would ultimately land me at the best place possible.”
Ronan Wynne
Athlete · Soccer · New Zealand · University of Denver
“Partnering with Platform Sports Management was a game changer for me and my family. Through their professionalism and hard work they have turned my dream into reality. They didn't just represent me but also believed in me.”
Keegan Kelly
Athlete · Soccer · New Zealand · University of Denver
“Amrit was very helpful, not only in terms of helping me find the best college, but also being realistic and telling me what is and isn't realistic since the beginning of the process. I wouldn't have been a Hopkins Tennis student-athlete without his help!”
Marco Azar
Athlete · Tennis · Lebanon · Johns Hopkins University
“Platform has been a huge help in all areas regarding the college process making it so easy for me and stress free, from initially finding a college then helping me transfer aswell. Amrit gives me lots of advice and perspective in helping me make my decision as it can get overwhelming for sure.”
Tina Li
Athlete · Tennis · Taiwan / New Zealand · Florida State University
“Together with Natasha and Amrit, we had the confidence to know that he would be looked after if anything were to go wrong. Being many miles away with no family connections in America, Oxford flew out on his own, and we didn't see him for nine months... We know that he would not have been able to keep swimming if he stayed in NZ to study, and we are very thankful to Platform Sports, who were instrumental in securing the ideal college contract.”
Sloan Bayley, mother of Oxford Bayley
Parent · Swimming · New Zealand · New Jersey Institute of Technology
“From the moment we signed with Platform sports, we were taken care of. Will and Tash guided us through the college recruitment process with their great contacts and extensive knowledge of the system... Within 5 months of us signing with platform sports we had been invited to visit a number of schools and a short time after that our daughter verbally committed to a D1 school of her dreams.”
Tamiko Sharp, mother of Ali Sharp
Parent · Swimming · New Zealand · University of Kentucky
“He was recruited at the very last moment, and without the guidance and support of Platform Sports, we don't believe it would have been possible given the extreme time pressure we were all under to get things done... The fact that they continually check in with both him and us and watch his games online is proof that this is about more than just the financial transaction for them.”
John Makowem, father of Daniel Makowem
Parent · Soccer · New Zealand · Stetson University
“Platform Sports Management, and especially Will Clarkson, played a pivotal role in helping my son achieve his dream of attending college in the USA on a sports scholarship. Through Will's guidance and mentoring, my son developed the confidence to communicate effectively with coaches and was able to find a college that was the perfect fit for him.”
Kane Mannix, father of Jake Mannix
Parent · Lacrosse · Australia · Mars Hill University
Ronan Wynne & Keegan Kelly
Soccer · University of Denver
Tina Li
Tennis · BYU
Finn Burridge
Tennis · Quinnipiac
Marco Azar
Tennis · Johns Hopkins
Max Collingwood
Golf · Purdue
Jack Loutit
Golf · Kentucky
What Families Say
Google Reviews
“Platform has been a great agency to work with over the last 2 years. Mack, Will and Amrit in particular have been key to helping me find colleges and get me to where I am today in my recruitment journey. Helping me create my film, get my grades to where they need to be and understand what my next steps are all the time and where I should be at, at each point. Pamela has also been great with helping me once I had committed to a college with helping me know what to do, what I need to bring and just being supportive. Overall, I believe platform sports is the best agency to use to help you stay on track and get to where you want to be and go.”
Ollie Young
“Will, Mack and Platform were wonderful to work with. We started the recruitment process extremely late, however they worked hard to get me placed and ended up getting me an offer that was exactly what we were looking for. I would highly recommend them to anyone looking to play college sport in the US. They were very responsive and helped me through the confusing process with recruiting, eligibility, visa etc. It's been nice to see them still routinely check up on me while I've been in the US to see how I'm doing and if there is anything I need help with. For a smooth and easy recruiting process, Platform is the perfect agency. They genuinely care and have the contacts and knowledge to get you into top college programs.”
Qingcheng Du
“The whole journey that was experienced with Platform Sports was exceptional, from the quick reply's on email's or long video calls helping explain the in's and out of the college system. The team did there jobs perfectly and helped me get in contact with various schools. I will be forever grateful for the opportunity's that Will and his team gave me and this company is perfect for Australian athletes that want to connect with college coach's in the USA, whether it be NCAA, NAIA or JUCO. Overall, they did an amazing job to help me get over the hump.”
Jonah O'Dea
“Super grateful for all that platform did for me in getting me over to the US on a soccer scholarship! They made the process easy and stress free!”
Georgia Ghuliani
“Platform Sports has been fantastic. Mack and Pamela were especially helpful and made the whole process easy and enjoyable. Highly recommend their team!”
Shaun Fang
What You Gain
Partnership Benefits
- A dedicated point of contact at Platform Sports for your coaching and leadership staff
- Access to Platform Sports' recruitment guidance and U.S. college pathway expertise for your athletes
- Priority visibility for your academy's athletes with our placement and coaching network
- Co-branded resources your academy can share directly with athletes and families
- Ongoing support for athletes throughout their U.S. college journey, not just at placement
Proposed For Platform Sports
Proposed Partnership Structure
Preferred Pathway Partnership
Platform Sports is positioned as your academy's recommended U.S. college pathway provider, with regular touchpoints between our teams.
Moving Forward
Next Steps
- 01Review this proposal and the attached partnership structure
- 02Reply with any questions or requested changes
- 03Confirm the structure that works best for your academy
- 04Review and sign the appropriate MOU or Partnership Agreement
- 05Introduce Platform Sports to your athletes and families