The faces behind This Athlete.
With over ten years working together, Dafydd and Sophie have witnessed first-hand how the industry has evolved into one of the most competitive landscapes for young athletes. Having watched so many players underestimate what it truly takes, not just on the pitch, but the emotional reality of leaving friends and family behind, they founded the US Showcase Tours to close that gap and make the recruitment process more transparent, supportive, and effective.
Every tour is meticulously planned through their extensive network of contacts across the US, a reflection of the scale of their presence within the industry.
Widely trusted by families across the UK, Dafydd and Sophie bring a genuine passion to everything they do, always focused on giving every player the preparation, support, and best possible chance of success.
Dafydd is widely regarded as one of the best in the business, with over 20 years spent guiding families through every step of the US soccer scholarship journey. His experience and track record in the industry speak for themselves.
Sophie combines four years of Division 1 playing experience with hands-on industry expertise, having supported players through the scholarship process since 2017.
Stan played all four years of NCAA Division II soccer, having gone through the recruitment process himself with Dafydd in 2019. Now, he’s come full circle, working alongside Dafydd to guide the next generation of players through that same journey.
Joe took the junior college pathway in America before progressing to an NCAA Division II program, where he became a national championship finalist. He now leads the placement team at This Athlete, bringing that first-hand experience to every player he works with.
Behind every smooth process is Miranda, supporting families at every stage and ensuring the experience feels as seamless as possible. With over 10 years of industry experience, Miranda is the steady hand families can rely on throughout their journey.
John plays an important role in capturing our Showcase Tours and UK-based events, documenting the experience so families can get a true sense of what life as a student-athlete is really like.