My main reason for this blog is to not only keep my friends and family updated on my development in the USA but kind of as a personal diary. I want to share all my stories, photos and videos with you all and I'm sure there will be a lot of each.
For those that don't totally understand what I'm doing out here, I am attending The University of Tampa on a "Soccer" scholarship, and also studying for a degree in English language. Tampa Bay is in Florida, just a couple of hours drive from Orlando and about 4/5 hour drive to Miami.
At UT (University Of Tampa, Get used to this abbreviation) they do not offer scholarships to freshman so part of my deal is that if I can score 15 goals in my first season they will pay for my next 3 years (excess of $100,000)
But at the moment I've hit a kind of speed bump, the NCAA who are the clearinghouse in the USA, have said I can not play in my first year. we believe its because they think I have played professionally in England, when I haven't. I have played for 2 youth teams of professional clubs but I never signed contracts or got paid, or even trained with the first team.
For me its a big blow because I can't imagine not competing for a whole year, I know I'm good enough to go straight into the team and excel. so we are currently just appealing this decision.
A bit more about me, Im 20 years old from Enfield in North London England. Some of you may have seen Enfield on the news recently after riots broke out in London.
Its obviously something no one in the town is proud of but to be honest it brought a bit of life to a otherwise mundane lifestyle.
Thats the end of my opening letter, but I assume I will be posting maybe every 2 days. On the other hand if you want a more frequent (Sometimes pointless) update of my life follow me on Twitter: @Ty_Blackwood
Thanks for reading,
Ty.
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