Dear Family and Friends,

I have been offered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to train in the UK this August with the professional coaching staff of the English Premier League, arguably the best professional soccer league in the world!  This amazing 10-day program affords me the opportunity to train with the Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur football clubs’ youth academies and compete against top-level English teams.  I will gain valuable insight into the youth development philosophies of these preeminent professional clubs and experience the style of play made famous by the English Premier League.  

Given my tremendous passion for soccer, (my goal in life is to become a professional soccer player), this would be an extremely valuable experience. In fact, my soccer highlights are listed below.

However, I do understand that academics are the priority!  I’m a 7th-grade scholar-athlete at the academically prestigious Hunter College Campus Schools in NYC and also compete in high-level basketball and baseball. In my spare time, I enjoy drawing (sketching in particular), photography, listening to music (while trying out new dance moves), playing the saxophone, fashion, gaming, and spending time with family and friends.

While this trip to the UK is going to be incredibly worthwhile, I will need your support to fund the trip.  Please contribute to my Go Fund Me campaign to help my dream become a reality.  If you have any questions, you can reach out directly to my parents, Sitella and John Smith at [email redacted], or [email redacted].

I’m truly excited to see what this experience has in store for me!


Thank you so much for your support,

John

 
My Soccer Highlights:

- Member: ‘2006 Downtown United Soccer Club (DUSC) Program 2016-Present

      - 2018 U12 Gold Division Champions: New York State Cup Tournament

      - 2018 U13 Champions: Adidas Manhattan Soccer Cub (MSC) Kickoff Tournament

      - 2017 U12 Champions: Brooklyn Italians Soccer Club; PUMA Christopher Columbus Showcase Tournament

- 2017 Selected Participant: NY Red Bulls Academy Regional Development School (RDS) Residential Summer Camp

- Member: Hunter College Campus Schools Middle School (6th - 8th grades) Soccer Team: 2017
      - The only 6th grader as a member of the starting team

- Member/Captain: Hunter College Campus Schools Affiliated ‘2006 Futsal Team 2015-Present
      - 3-Peat Champions ‘2006 (U10-U12): NY Futsal League 2016-18
      - Runner–Up ‘2006 (U9): NY Futsal League 2015
      - Runner-Up ‘2004-5 (U14-15): NY Futsal League 2019