Talent takes Ross Stallworthy to USA on four-year scholarship

RETFORD United's Under-18 defender Ross Stallworthy has been offered a four-year academic/sports scholarship in the USA.

The 18-year-old, who has also represented Retford, Worksop & District, will be spending four years at Virginia Intermont College, set in the shadows of the Appalachian Mountains.

The former Valley Comprehensive, Worksop, student embarked on the road to America when playing in a county under-15 match.

"I was playing for Notts Under-15s in a county match," he told the Retford Times.

"After the game, I was approached by an agent who told me I would stand a pretty good chance of earning a scholarship in the United States.

"I think it was the following January when I contacted them and it all started there really.

"Earlier this year, I received a letter from them confirming I had been awarded the scholarship and I am now due to fly out there in August.

"I can't wait for the day to come when I can jump on the plane and go. Of course, there will be things I will miss, but I am very excited about it."

Stallworthy has a strong soccer pedigree, having begun playing when he was eight. At the age of 11, he was selected to represent the Bassetlaw Schools District squad.

He remained in this squad until under-15s and he was a regular member of the team that won the prestigious English Schools FA Inter-Association National Trophy in 2006/2007.

He has also gained representative honours for Nottinghamshire Schools at under-15s, under-16s and under-18s level.

The talented teen spent time at Lincoln City FC's Centre of Excellence, where he played until under-16s level. However, when the Imps did not offer him a two-year contract as a scholar, he moved to Retford United, where he continues to play for the club's Under-18s Soccer Academy.

As well as being a top-class soccer player, he is also a first-rate academic student. He is a student at the Worksop Post 16 College, where he is studying for his A-level qualifications in maths, physics, psychology and PE and is hoping to study for a Major in sports management.

"I had heard that there were excellent opportunities to be had in the US college system, and I thought rather than go to an English university and play a bit of golf over here, I would give the US a try," he added.

"The great thing about playing in America is that you get to train six days a week on some of the best facilities in the world, and at the end of it, you come out with a full degree, which will help me with my future career."

Ross is due to fly out to the USA in early August to join his new team-mates for what promises to be a pretty tough pre-season programme.

The left-footed wing-back is expecting to play up to three matches per week for his university but there will also be a tough training regime to follow.

"I understand we will be training most days," he added.

"But I am also looking forward to playing competitive matches against other universities."