About Athleticademix

Athleticademix is ​​a sports scholarship consultancy and college recruitment service based in the UK and Sweden. David Fletcher is the company’s UK Director, Daisy Simms is the Head of Soccer, and Robbie Farnham-Rose is the team's Track & Field Sports Consultant. The organisation's Swedish branch is headed up by co-Director, Robin Hals, and Andreas Agrell (Sports Consultant).

About Athleticademix – Meet the Team

Athleticademix was founded back in 2018 by David Fletcher and Robin Hals, following several years of the pair working within the College recruiting industry, elsewhere. Both David and Robin, in addition to Daisy, Robbie and Andreas who have since joined, are former College athletes and have all lived through the experience of competing and studying in America.

David Fletcher – Director, UK

 

Before founding Athleticademix, David attended Florida Southern College between 2008 and 2012 where he was recruited to join the Men’s Soccer team in NCAA D2. During his 4-year college career, he was named team captain for three of those years. Concurrently, he earned a BA degree in Criminology in 2012.

Gaining comprehensive experience in the recruitment process, David then served as a Graduate Assistant coach with the St. John’s University Men’s Soccer team (NCAA D1) in New York City between 2012 and 2014. Whilst simultaneously earning his Master’s degree in Sport Management from St. John’s, he was part of a team that qualified for the NCAA National Tournament in both seasons he was involved. Moreover, as a Graduate Assistant, one of David’s roles was to identify potential new players. For instance, this was achieved through attending recruiting events and reviewing video footage sent in by recruits from all over the world. Subsequently, he developed an extensive network of college coaching contacts and a thorough understanding of what they’re looking for.

Athleticademix clients working with David will obtain access to an immeasurable amount of contacts and resources in the US, but most importantly will benefit from his personal guidance and experience.

• Favourite College Memory – Scoring the game winner in my final college match with my Dad in the crowd (I didn’t score many!)
• Favourite place in the USA – New York City
• Dream school – Northwestern University
• Favourite US restaurant – Bar Pitti, NYC
• Advice to anyone considering going to College? – This opportunity is life-changing. Nowhere in the world offers you the opportunity to combine your sport with your studies to this level. Believe in yourself and go for it!

 

Daisy Simms – Head of Soccer, UK

Daisy is originally from Portsmouth, England. She set off to America as a student-athlete in 2012, after spending most of her career in England playing for Portsmouth FC.

Daisy graduated from Delta State University (NCAA D2) in 2016, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Health, Physical Education and Recreation. After graduating, Daisy moved to Iowa to take up a coaching role at North Iowa Area Community College (NJCAA), where she spent a season as the Women’s Assistant Coach before being named as Head Coach.

Daisy then opted to pursue her Master’s Degree and moved to West Liberty University (NCAA D2), in West Virginia, where she was appointed as the Assistant Coach for Women’s Soccer. In Spring 2020, upon completion of her Master’s Degree in Organisational Leadership, Daisy returned back to England. Daisy took charge of Portsmouth FC Women Development Squad, and soon after began her role as a Sports Consultant at Athleticademix in September, 2020.

Athleticademix athletes have been able to benefit from Daisy’s experience in the US and passion for assisting others follow the same pathway. She has been a fantastic addition to the staff and valued team member!

About Daisy:

• Favourite College Memory – Away Trips and Thanksgiving Break!
• Favourite place in the USA – Chicago
• Dream school – University of Miami
• Favourite US restaurant – Chick-Fil-A
• Advice to anyone considering going to College? – Do it! It’s the best experience of your life! The people you meet will become like a family to you, and the memories you make will last a lifetime!

 

Robbie Farnham-Rose – Track & Field Sports Consultant, UK

About Robbie:

• Favourite College Memory – I would say racing in the Azusa Pacific Invitational in California, running a PB and going #3 in the nation in the 1500m. Then staying there for 4 days in Beverly Hills and seeing the Hollywood sign and many of the famous landmarks in LA!
• Favourite place in the USA – New Orleans, it is crazy place and I wouldn’t spend more than 48 hours there but great culture/food/atmosphere + Its the home to my NFL team. Nashville and Palo Alto, California also get honourable mentions!
• Dream school – Either LSU or Stanford!
• Favourite US restaurant – Chipotle (Mexican) or Kobe Japanese Steakhouse!
• Advice to anyone considering going to College? – Being a student-athlete in the States is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that still give me goosebumps when I think about my experience and the memories I made. It’s also a great place if you are looking to further your education whilst pretty much living the life of a full-time athlete. The facilities, coaching and opportunities are just so far ahead of what we have over here in terms of college/university sports.

 

Robin Hals – Director, Sweden

Likewise, the same services are offered by Athleticademix to Scandinavian student-athletes, which is where Director, Robin Hals is based. Having represented North Carolina Wesleyan College Men’s Soccer for one year before moving to North Park University in Chicago, Robin graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management.

• Favourite College Memory – Scoring a volley in the Conference Championship game. And traveling Route 66 on a road-trip during Spring Break!
• Favourite place in the USA – Chicago, always Chicago!
• Dream school – University of Texas at Austin
• Favourite US restaurant – Chipotle
• Advice to anyone considering going to College? – Stop thinking and do it! You won’t regret it!

 

Andreas Agrell – Sports Consultant, Sweden

 

 

Andreas joined the team in July, 2021 and has been a fantastic addition to the organisation. He is also a former College athlete who served on the Men’s Soccer team at Newman University in Kansas for four years.

Based in Uppsala, Sweden, Andreas works predominantly with male soccer players looking to head Stateside.

• Favourite College Memory – Playing at Conference play-offs in front of around 1,000 spectators against nationally ranked teams was always a fantastic experience. Scoring a header on ‘Senior Day’ with my Dad in the crowd is also up there as a great memory!
• Favourite place in the USA – Boston
• Dream school – Clemson University
• Favourite US restaurant – Chipotle
• Advice to anyone considering going to College? – It’s definitely an once in a life time experience and one you’ll never forget. If you have the opportunity – take it! You’ll never regret that you decided to go, you’ll only regret that you did not!

 

Additional Support Staff

Mark & Karen Scarbrow – Parent Advisers

Another crucial component to the Athleticademix service is the expertise and knowledge provided by Mark Scarbrow and Karen Scarbrow. Both have had children that have been student-athletes in the US. They are a fantastic resource for players and parents alike and offer first class advice and guidance throughout the recruitment process. Having worked in recruitment for more than 25 years, Mark’s experience includes a stint with the Premier League as Chief Careers & Academics Adviser, where he assisted more than 100 players to the USA. In addition, a large number of student-athletes have been assisted as a result of Karen’s expert administrative guidance since 2007.

In short, the team has has helped more than 400 student-athletes and placed them at universities all over America, including prestigious institutions such as Clemson University, Virginia Tech, LSU, Wake Forest and many more!