Meet Poppy Bignell and hear about her journey to America and her plans for the future…
Date of Birth: 24/02/1997
Position: Left Back
Current Team/University: Sussex County Community College
Previous Club: Northampton Town Ladies FC
Section 1: About Poppy
Who inspired you to first play football?
– I wasn’t inspired by anyone or anything to play the game at first, I tried a lot of sports as a kid and loved football the most out of all of them, but as I have grown older, my mum inspires me and is the reason I play soccer. She works so hard in everything she does, and does everything she can to support me out here. I know that if I have to same work ethic as her, this sport can take me a long way, and can shape me into the person I am becoming. She is my motivation to train that little bit harder, to push that little bit more, to work harder than anyone else, because I would never want to let my mum down, I do what I do, to make her proud
What team do you support?
– Manchester United
Who are your favourite players and why?
– David Beckham, because he is humble. He was never the most skilful player, or the fastest, but he had incredible work ethic and did the little things right
– Messi, because even though he is the best player in the world, and has been gifted with so much talent, he still works hard and stays humble
What’s been your favourite moment in football as a player?
– Winning the region 19 championship in my first year playing soccer at college with SCCC (in the 2015 season). With which we made history for our college, because not only were we the first ever women’s team to make it to the finals, but the first ever women’s team to win it!
What is a quote that gives you inspiration?
– If it was easy, everyone would do it
– Carpe Diem
Section 2: About America (and Sports Recruiting USA)
What is it about America that makes it an appealing destination to pursue your football career as a student athlete?
– The level of soccer and coaching, I would never get this kind of opportunity in England.
– The different cultures, and that I am on a team with people from lots of different parts of the world, with their own unique stories
What appealed to you about going to America?
– I have been coming here ever since I was a baby, to visit family friends, and I always love it here, I used to cry because I didn’t want to go home. I always wanted to move to America, I even considered it for high school, but there was no way I’d be able to afford it. I knew that I would never enjoy University in England, because I hate partying, and am not good with big lecture hall, or doing work with no one-on-one help from professors. I had to find a way to get scholarships, because sports at American Universities are massive! I looked into skiing, but was turned down because I wasn’t on a ski team in England, so then I turned to soccer. I never thought I was good enough, because I wasn’t the most skilful, I just had a hell of a lot of work effort, but when I got accepted by SRUSA, I stopped doubting myself, and knew this opportunity, to play soccer was what I was going to work so hard to prove I can do. The opportunity to study in America, whilst playing soccer for my college, and playing at a higher level isn’t available in England, I wouldn’t get this opportunity anywhere else, except America, so I knew this is what I had to do
What is the main difference that you have seen between football in England and the USA?
It’s different from college to college, but what I’ve found from Sussex is:
– American soccer in university is fast paced and your first touch is very important.
– High pressure and defensive shape is a key factor in the way we play
– Being fit is essential, because every position involves a lot of running and endurance
– If you are a smart soccer player, you will do very well at the college level
What is the one thing you miss about England?
– Apart from my family and friends which is obvious, the good English food like roast dinners, gravy, Yorkshire pudding, lasagne without ricotta cheese, and good mature cheddar, English tea and how cheap fruit and veg is in England. In America, eating healthy can be expensive.
And how did you first find out about Sports Recruiting USA and how have they helped you through the process?
– I was looking online for agencies to help get me known to American coaches, because I knew they would trust English scouts more than me just sending them an email, I picked three agencies randomly after looking at all the reviews and success stories, and SRUSA had a trial (they have loads to give you the best opportunity to perform) and I got accepted which I am so glad about, because without even experiencing any other company, I can tell SRUSA are by far the best!
What support have Jon/Jodie given you?
– Jon has helped me with everything I have ever needed, right up until I got in the plane, and still answers questions and helps with worries I have whilst I am out here. Jon is extremely quick to reply and when my mum was asking all of her questions, and bombarding him with her worries, he was very understanding, and did everything he could to ease my mums nerves
How important is that support?
– Incredibly! If my mum didn’t trust SRUSA or Jon, I wouldn’t be out here right now, and there is no way I would be able to do the process on own, the support from someone who has been there, and done that, was very reassuring, and really made the transition and everything involved smooth and relatively stress free
Could you have completed the process yourself?
– No way!
And finally, what are your aspirations as a footballer for the next few years?
– After Sussex County Community College, I would like to go to the next level and continue playing and studying in America, I want to transfer to a four year, NCAA Divisions 2 University, to complete my degree whilst playing 2 more years of soccer. If after 4 years at the college level, that is the end of my playing career, then that’s fine, if not, that’s even better, we will have to see what happens in the end.
Contact jon@sportsrecruitingusa.com for more details about Sports Recruiting USA or…
CHECK OUT SPORTS RECRUITING USA ONLINE HERE FOR MORE INFO.
ONE Company, ONE Objective, YOU! – SRUSA.
