Welsh teenager earns 'life changing' place at top US university

219 Sports is giving young players the chance of a lifetime to try the ultimate soccer experience on football tours to the USA The sports agency, which specialises in placing UK student-athletes on scholarships across America, is taking groups of youngsters on Showcase Tours. These combine top class games with training and cultural activities that enable participants to dip their toes and test out the opportunities and lifestyle the US soccer college scene offers.

Last month youngsters jetted off to California on a 10-day tour of the Golden State to compete against colleges in San Francisco and Los Angeles. With the opportunity to go behind the scenes of world-class sporting facilities and explore the famous beaches, attractions and entertainment experiences.

Part of the squad was Liam John (picture left), a 17-year-old from Cardiff, who loved the California experience and has now earned a scholarship at a top US university. Liam had played for a local Welsh club before he started school and went on to play youth football at Cardiff City for two years. He currently represents Abergavenny Town in Cymru South of the Welsh Football League.

Liam says: “It was an amazing experience. The training, football games and college facilities were top notch, you get to feel like a professional player. They are much more impressive than what’s on offer at UK colleges.”

Liam says the tours are packed and fun but not just with footie. “You get the perfect tester of the US college lifestyle too. I loved the beach training day, seeing LA, the Golden Gate Bridge and the Hollywood sign. The tours bring people with the same passion together. We gelled as a team and played well together. I feel like I’ve got a new set of lifelong friends.”

This was Liam’s second US tour. He went on a trip to Orlando in October last year, the first Showcase Tour 219 Sports organised. He enjoyed it so much he decided to jet off on the California trip with the squad (pictured right) at LA Galaxy.

Liam says: “Not only did I have a fantastic time on the Orlando tour, but it led me to gain a scholarship to play soccer and study for a degree at Maharishi International University in Iowa.”

Liam really wants to follow his passion and to get a degree from a first-rate university. He adds: “My plan is to play football for as long as possible and to get to the highest level. I feel my upcoming scholarship is the perfect route to achieve that.

” I feel so grateful I met Tom. He has helped change my life. He is passionate about football and believes anyone can achieve what they want if they put their minds to it. I’m so excited to be heading off to start my scholarship early next year.”

The next tour takes place this month, an eight-day trip to New York, giving students the chance to compete against colleges across the state including Iona and Long Island universities. The opportunity of a lifetime to meet, network and play in front of recruiting American college coaches to showcase their skills and secure amazing sporting futures.

Tom Baker (pictured right), Managing Director of 219 Sports, says: "Since launching the 219 Sports Showcase Tours in 2025, the opportunities and scholarship offers that have come through for our student-athletes have been wonderful to witness.

“The tours exist to open doors, academically and athletically - but they've always been about more than just soccer. They're a chance for our student-athletes to see new places and meet people they simply wouldn't have crossed paths with otherwise.

“On our recent California tour, we were lucky enough to take in the Golden Gate Bridge, the Hollywood Sign, and the world-famous Venice Beach - moments that had nothing to do with the game, but everything to do with the experience.

That's another reason student-athletes love being part of a showcase tour. Providing scholarship opportunities is at the heart of everything we do, but the memories made along the way can also be life changing."

About 219 Sports
Tom Baker, who was born in Liverpool and whose family still live in the City Region, founded 219 Sports in 2020 to change the way talented UK athletes earn scholarships in the United States. He wanted to offer a service that puts UK students first, not just an agency where they become a numbers game.

After four years of studying and playing soccer at the University of Charleston in West Virginia, Tom saw the size and scale of sporting environments in the US and how life-changing the opportunity can be. However, he also knew from his own personal experience that it lacked the vital ongoing support. Tom has picked out the good bits that other firms offer and added knowledge from his own experience to ensure that 219 Sports provides an unbeatable service.

So far, it has placed more than 200 student athletes across 30 plus American states, securing more than $5million worth of funding.

For more information on 219 Sports go to:

https://www.219sports.com

Tom Baker — tom.baker@219sports.com
Media Contact: Paul Smith — paul@paulsmithassociates,co.uk

PAUL SMITH ASSOCIATES
18th May 2026