Coach George Eglesfield from NCAA D1 California State University at Bakersfield shares his journey from international student-athlete to recruiting coordinator and assistant coach, providing valuable insights for swimmers considering the US college route. His personal experience swimming at the University of Wyoming combined with his current coaching perspective offers a comprehensive view of collegiate swimming opportunities.

In this episode, Coach George shares the things the would focus on if he was a high school aged international swimming recruit, as well as tips he has for athletes getting ready to start their swimming journey this upcoming August. The infamous online platform Swim Cloud is also discussed, where Coach George emphasises the value in utilising this website when a swimmer is starting out their US college recruitment journey.

Claire asks Coach George her favourite question about red flags and green flags in college recruiting, and also delves into the prevalent priority she sees with Australian swimmers: wanting a warm climate college in Florida or California. Coach George provides his insight as to why climate considerations should be secondary to swimming program quality, academics, and scholarship opportunities.

The episode ends with Coach George discussing how the modern college swimming world is increasingly intense - times from 10 years ago would not be competitive today.

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Today’s episode explores the intricate world of Ivy League water polo recruitment, featuring insights from Coach Petar Momcilovic of Brown University. Listeners will get to hear Coach Momcilovic discuss the much talked about Junior Olympics, the importance of researching these universities before meeting with a coach. We dissect the infamous June 15th date in college recruiting and what Brown is looking for in a highlight reel. Claire and Coach Momcilovic also chat about the evolving landscape of East Coast vs West Coast Water Polo, a common question we get at events like AYC! Coach Momcilovic also discusses Claire's favourite line: "the earlier you start the better"

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Prepare yourself for an eye-opening journey through the world of collegiate soccer with our special guest, Coach Zach Newton from Indian Hills Community College. Hailing from Australia, Coach Newton's path from player to coach is nothing short of inspiring. He shares his unique experiences navigating the U.S. college pathway, providing insights into the high academic standards and significant role of GPAs at junior colleges. Through his narrative, you'll discover the balance needed between athletic and academic commitments and how they are crucial to securing scholarships and paving the way for a prosperous future in soccer.

Unlock the secrets of junior college softball recruitment with our expert guest, Coach Erin Sharpe from Northeast Community College in Nebraska. Gain insights into what truly matters in the eyes of a college coach: it's not just about stats but the fundamentals and batting techniques that make a standout recruit. Coach Sharpe discusses her thoughts on highlight reels and what grabs her eye in these videos.

Navigate the dynamic world of college softball transfers as we delve into the intricacies of finding the right cultural fit for athletes moving from junior colleges to four-year institutions. Coach Sharpe shares strategies to evaluate compatibility with a team’s culture and addresses common questions from international athletes about the transfer process. Learn how the transfer portal operates across NCAA divisions and discover why JUCO offers more than just a stepping stone but a launchpad for athletic dreams. Coach Sharpe details how she assists her athletes with the transfer process and the lengths she will go to assist her players in this transfer. This episode is packed with practical advice and expert perspectives to guide both athletes and their families in making informed decisions about their college softball journey.

Continuing with our junior college podcast series, Chris Bates sits down with Coach Brooks Buffington, the newly crowned 2024 National Women's Junior College Coach of the Year at Jones College in Mississippi, to uncover the truth behind the often misunderstood junior college sporting landscape. As he shares his insights, particularly for Australian students unfamiliar with the U.S. system, we promise you'll gain another great perspective on the unique opportunities junior colleges can offer both academically and athletically.

Coach Buffington takes us on a journey through the world of junior college tennis, debunking myths and highlighting the supportive environment these institutions can provide. Contrary to the dramatised portrayals in shows like "Last Chance U," junior colleges can serve as nurturing spaces for personal growth and academic success, featuring smaller class sizes and a more intimate learning experience. We explore the financial and competitive advantages for international student-athletes, showcasing success stories from Argentina and Australia that demonstrate how junior colleges can be a wonderful fit.

Throughout their conversation, Chris and Coach Buffington also dive into the rewarding yet challenging dynamics of coaching multicultural teams and building a family-like atmosphere that integrates players from diverse backgrounds.

This podcast episode dives deep into one of our most frequently requested topics: Junior College, also known as JUCO or NJCAA.

Coach Drew Mahin from Cloud County describes the recruitment process in a way for everybody to understand: are you approaching this as a customer or an explorer? Coach Mahin talks about rejection directing you to your next path, success stories of his athletes post Junior College, the amazing cultural diversity on his track/xc team, life in small town Kansas and how Junior College coaches assist their athletes to find their right fit after 2 years.

This episode is a great conversation starter for families and athletes from any country to reflect on their approach to the US college recruitment process.

How do you balance athletics and academics while ensuring proper nutrition?

In this episode, Director Alexia Bates sits down with Sports Dietician Lyss Koenan to discuss nutritional choices for high school and college aged athletes. Alexia dives into questions for Lyss including new surroundings at college meaning unfamiliar American food and the new responsibilities college athletes have to make healthy choices. Lyss also touches on the importance of preparing food the night before for busy high school athletes and not overlooking a solid esky to bring to high school each day to set these athletes up for success.

Lyss also details the process of fuelling your body the day before, the day of and recovery after playing sport, as well as the importance of sleep in an athlete's performance. This episode also covers things for parents to consider when helping kids pack lunches. Lyss busts common myths around nutrition and covers topics like sports drinks not necessarily being suitable for young athletes. Wherever you are in the world, this is a great listen for high school/college aged athletes and parents!

In this episode, Claire sits down with Junior College Division 1 Women's Basketball coach Landon Steele, from Dodge City Community College. They discuss a wide range of topics from what Coach Steele looks for in a recruit, why he enjoys recruiting Aussies and the challenges of basketball recruiting on both the men's and womens' side. Coach Steele also debunks myths about Junior College, speaking about why someone would choose a junior college over an NCAA school, how JUCO prepares you for the next step in your sport, tips for any Australia basketballer looking to come to America and his excitement as the women's game grows in popularity across the globe.