United Sports USA are delighted to announce that local Edinburgh girl Mariel Kaney has won a soccer scholarship to the USA. She will be moving to Francis Marion University in Florence, South Carolina in August this year where she will combine representing the University’s Women’s soccer team with studying towards a degree in sports journalism.
Mariel (19) from Marchmont, Edinburgh has played football since she was 8 years old. Starting out in primary school, where she played for the James Gillespies (boys) school team it was apparent even at a young age that she was a standout as a football player. When she moved to James Gillespies High School, Mariel continued with her football career representing the school girls team successfully for five years; success in the Scottish schools co cola cup competition even gave Mariel the opportunity to play at the National Stadium on the hallowed Hampden turf – much to the envy of the boys in the school team. When she was 14 Mariel signed for the Hibs girls under 15 team. She continued to represent Hibs at under 17 level and now plays for the Hibs ladies team. On leaving school after 5th year Mariel spent a year further developing her football skills at the sports academy at Telford College, Edinburgh. Three Scotland Caps at Under 19 level, pay testimony to what an outstanding football player Mariel is.
Mariel said, ‘I have known for a long time that I really wanted to move to America to play college soccer, but I never dreamed it would actually happen. A friend encouraged me to contact United Sports USA as their son had been placed in the States by the company; it was the best decision I made. I was so impressed with what they had to say about the realities of living, studying and playing soccer in America. They generated a great deal of interest in me, and I was contacted by several Head Coaches from America, one even came to Scotland to see me play. Despite having offers to go elsewhere, I chose Francis Marion University because it offered the best fit with my academic ambitions, and I was hugely impressed the coach. I believe Francis Marion will achieve great things with their soccer program and I liked the fact that the coach really believes in me and is willing to support me in my soccer endeavours and as a person. Now I can’t wait to go’
Fraser Gibson from United Sports USA said, ‘having assessed Mariel as a football player I knew she had the skill and athletic ability to play at the highest level of college soccer in the States. The fact that she also had five Highers, all achieved in one sitting indicated that she was capable of applying herself to a Degree course in America. We had a tremendous amount of interest in Mariel, indeed we had an offer to fly her to one University in America to see their facilities, and another University sent their Head Coach to Edinburgh to meet Mariel and watch her play for Hibs ladies in a successful cup victory against Hutchison Vale ladies. The most important thing from our perspective, however, was making sure that we placed Mariel in the right environment, and I am satisfied we have achieved that. Francis Marion is an outstanding University, both athletically and academically, and South Carolina is a beautiful area in which to live. Mariel will play first division Women’s collegiate soccer, which is the highest level possible, and we are very confident that she will make an immediate impact there’
Mr Gibson went on to say that he was especially grateful to the coaching staff at Hibs ladies for their help and support to Mariel throughout the recruitment process, and he wished Hibs Ladies every success in the future.
For more information about United Sports USA and how we can assist you in gaining a soccer scholarship please check out our website: www.unitedsportsusa.com
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