Your U.S. College
Roadmap
Jack Ferris
Rugby · The Southport School · Australia
- Current school year
- Year 11
- Expected graduation
- November 2027
- Expected U.S. college intake
- Fall 2028
- Recommended package
- Placement
Your Recruitment Position
Where You Stand Today
- Early
- Developing — you are here
- Market Ready
- Active Recruitment
- Decision
- Committed
You're ahead of the standard recruitment cycle — the priority now is building a strong profile before the main networking period begins.
Your Roadmap
From Contract Signing To Four Years In The United States
This is a game plan, not a guarantee — timelines may change due to athlete injuries, eligibility changes, or college rule changes.
Contract Signing with Platform Sports
- Contract Signing
Onboarding
- Onboarding
Support & Preparation — you are here
Now – 1 Sept 2027
- Strategy
Market Ready
- Market Ready
Target Networking
1 Sept 2027 – 1 Feb 2028
- Recruitment
- Coach Engagement
- U.S. College Commitment
Departure to America
1 Jul 2028 – 31 Aug 2028
- Departure to USA
Four-Year Athlete Protection Period
2028 – 2031
- Protection Period
- Year 1
- Year 2
- Year 3
- Year 4
What If We Wait?
Starting Now vs. Starting In 12 Months
Timing
You're ahead of the standard recruitment cycle — the priority now is building a strong profile before the main networking period begins.
Your Recommended Package
Placement
What’s included
Onboard
- Athlete and family onboarding
- Athlete evaluation
- Athletic background review
- Academic review
- Goals and ambitions discussion
- Graduation year confirmation
- Family budget discussion
- Scholarship expectation discussion
- Sporting history and achievements collection
- Academic information and transcript collection
- Recruitment profile and athlete biography
- Highlight video
- Athlete Portal access
- Initial recruitment strategy
Support
- Monthly meetings with your Platform Sports team, at minimum
- Platform Sports available at your request beyond scheduled meetings
- Athlete progress reviews
- Recruitment timeline guidance
- Academic and transcript guidance
- Subject-selection guidance
- NCAA eligibility guidance
- NCAA Eligibility Center guidance
- NAIA eligibility guidance
- NJCAA pathway guidance
- Amateurism guidance
- Recruitment preparation
- Coach communication education
- Scholarship education
- College pathway education
- Athlete Portal access
Network
- Placement strategy
- College research and targeting
- NCAA / NAIA / NJCAA program targeting
- College coach outreach
- Recruitment profile distribution
- Highlight video distribution
- Coach introductions and follow-up
- Coach conversation preparation
- Scholarship and financial offer guidance
- College opportunity comparison and offer evaluation
- College application and admissions guidance
- Eligibility documentation guidance
- Commitment support
Protect
- I-20 and SEVIS guidance
- Student visa and documentation guidance
- Visa interview preparation
- Pre-departure and transition-to-college guidance
- Athlete and family preparation
- Monthly athlete check-ins throughout all four years in the United States
Your Recruitment Timeline
When Networking Begins
You are currently progressing toward our standard recruitment timeline, with the objective of becoming market-ready for active college networking during the main networking period.
Target networking period
1 Sept 2027 — 1 Feb 2028
Your recruitment timeline may adjust as your athletic profile, academics, results, and market readiness develop — Platform Sports reviews this continuously on your behalf.
Why Start Now
From Year 11 To U.S. College
Every year between now and Year 12 has a specific purpose. Here’s exactly what Platform Sports does, and what’s expected of you, at each stage — so you can see what starting now actually builds toward.
Year 11
2026
- Monthly meetings with your Platform Sports team, at minimum
- Platform Sports available at your request beyond scheduled meetings
- Athlete progress reviews
- Maintain academics
- Attend scheduled consultations
- Record results and achievements
Year 12
2027
- Placement strategy
- College research and targeting
- NCAA / NAIA / NJCAA program targeting
- Respond promptly to Platform Sports and college coaches
- Prepare for coach calls
- Research college options
U.S. College
Fall 2028
- 4-Year Athlete Protection
- Complete visa and eligibility requirements
- Prepare for departure
- Keep Platform Sports updated
We Don't Disappear After Placement
Four Years of Athlete Protection
Your Platform Sports journey does not end when you commit to a college. Throughout your four years in the United States, our team stays connected through a monthly athlete check-in covering your happiness and wellbeing, your sporting and academic experience, your relationship with coaches and teammates, your adjustment to life in the United States, and whether you need additional Platform Sports support.
Year 1
12 monthly check-ins
Year 2
12 monthly check-ins
Year 3
12 monthly check-ins
Year 4
12 monthly check-ins
Up to 48 monthly check-ins across your four years in the United States.
If you ever need to change colleges, our Transfer Package is available separately (price to be confirmed by Platform Sports).
Investment
Placement Package
Your Service Agreement