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ACE striker Ben Rodney’s football-playing prowess has secured him a place on a top US university degree course and a scholarship to play the sport at college level.
It’s a dream move and the chance to follow in the footsteps of another Bahrain-based expat Alexandros ‘Bibli’ Babiolakis who has impressed Stateside after grabbing a similar opportunity 12 months ago.
Ben, 18, who lives with his family in Hamala, first showed his potential on the ball at the tender age of two and started playing in a youth team at the Bahrain Rugby Club at the age of seven. The naturally left-footed player’s preferred position is centre forward but he also plays on the wing and in midfield.
“The opportunity to play the sport I love at the highest level for my potential is the start of the dream but the realisation of this would be to achieve professional status,” he said.
“I love the thrill and enjoyment of being able to play the greatest sport in the world – the exhilaration and unpredictability of the game.”
Born in Harrow in Middlesex, Greater London, he has attended the British School of Bahrain (BSB) for the last 13 years. He is awaiting his A’ level results in business studies, government & politics and history but, in the meantime, walked off with two academic achievement awards at the recent BSB prize day.
He will be attending Nazareth College, in Rochester, New York, to study a four-year BA degree in Political Science in August after being introduced to John Calderwood, a sports scholarship graduate, who now runs his own business scouting for talent and placing them in universities throughout the US.
“The process began with studying the key aspects of the SAT curriculum and taking the SAT examinations,” explained Ben. “This differed to the British Curriculum of studies I had been following.
“Having attained the prerequisite SAT grades, John was able to market me as a footballer to universities which offered degrees in political sciences as well as scholarships.
“For the scholarship, the universities based their decision on viewing footage of me playing football in game situations as well as undergoing training drills.
“John presented footage to them privately, posting on YouTube. ‘Naz’ was one of the options but their academic excellence as well as their sporting ethos made it a very easy choice. The head coach has been very encouraging throughout the process and as a Brit, he made the decision an easy one for me. I am looking forward to experiencing life in NY, studying and, of course, playing the beautiful game.
“I have been granted the maximum scholarship award for a first year student which is about 40 per cent of the fees. This is reassessed based on my achievements in playing football and academic achievements and, therefore, before the four years are completed I could be on a 100 per cent scholarship!”
Calderwood, 27, formerly from Scotland, said: “I was recommended to Ben by my other Bahrain-based client, Alex Babiolakis. Alex was a player I helped last year after being brought to my attention by a close contact of mine in the Middle East. This season I had helped him to transfer to a top footballing programme in West Palm Beach, Florida.
“After having watched Ben in training and game settings I was interested in helping him gain a scholarship.
“He is a player I believe will develop well with good coaching and full-time football. Ben is smart academically and also has a good personality, which is important when adapting to a foreign land.
“I formed my company US4 Soccer to give talented student/athletes an opportunity to play and study in the US. I have already helped players worldwide into top programmes in the country, most noticeably a national championship-winning side.
“I’m currently helping players from Asia, Europe, Africa, North America, South America and Australia achieve their scholarship dreams. The US is becoming a popular route now as players can get the opportunity to further both academic and athletic careers.
“I have seven years’ experience and know what it takes to place players into the appropriate programmes. I was once an international student too!
“It is important for me to make sure that my players are not just here to work hard on the playing field but also in the classroom, as players must meet a certain academic requirement to play.
“My main focus is to see the player build on his/her long-term future by graduating then hopefully progress athletically to an even higher level.”
Ben’s parents, housewife Joanne, 44, and Derrick, 47, a partner/owner and chief operating officer of OAK Utility Solutions & Development, a Bahrain-based company, are proud of their son. They also have three daughters, Alex, 16, Charlotte, nine, and Grace, eight.
Soccer-loving Derrick has proved an inspiration, and Ben said: “He was pretty useful as a teenager with the likes of West Ham United being interested in signing him at the age of 14.
“But he was encouraged to follow an academic path; no scholarships in the UK in those days. But he enjoyed playing at a semi-professional level for many years. Of course, dad thinks he can still play and can be found trying to get around the pitch at the BSB in the eight-aside expat league!
“Dad has been very supportive and has encouraged me greatly to do the best I can. He is extremely serious about the game and this does rub off.”
Both father and son support London giants Tottenham Hotspurs because the team ‘plays the beautiful game in the right way’. “I have grown to love their style of football and the players on and off the field,” said Ben. “Of course as a ‘lefty’ I am inspired by a certain Mr Bale but could name many others.”
The Welsh international forward Gareth Bale has been linked with a multi-million dinar move to Spanish giants Real Madrid, although many fans hope he will stay at Spurs for another season.
Ben would love to follow in the star’s footsteps … and youngsters in Bahrain would love to one day step into the strapping six foot, two inches tall inspirational teenager’s size 11 football boots.
He has recently been training the Dilmun Club squads of players, aged from three to 13, under the guidance of head coach, Lee Mack. “I have gained a lot of experience teaching aspects of the game I was taught as a youngster and I have been able to witness the development of some talented young players,” said Ben.
“My message of advice to young footballers keen to follow in my footsteps would be to never give up chasing your dream. Continue to work hard in your academic studies as well as your sport of choice, and with the right attitude and determination, anything is possible.”
