THE families of five young Guernsey stars are to learn more about what it takes to win a sports scholarship at an American university. Brad Fitzsimmonds, president and CEO of Inside Edge Sports Consultants, is in the island on Monday to conduct a series of one-to-one interviews and give a talk to anyone interested in competing at US college level.

‘He is the foremost expert on sports and education in North America and will discuss with athletes and their parents the costs involved, scholarships available and how to market the athlete,’ said sports development officer Kathy Stuart, of the Guernsey Sports Commission.

Names have been kept confidential, but of the five local youngsters, two are involved in athletics, one in tennis, one in swimming and another in football. It is believed that a schoolteacher will also be meeting Fitzsimmonds.

‘Any other interested parents or children are also invited to an initial informal meeting on Monday,’ said Stuart.

The meeting will be held in the Bucktrout Room at the Garenne Stand, Foote’s Lane, starting at 7pm. More information is available from Stuart on 747274.

IESC is a Canadian-owned and operated corporation with its head office in Ottawa and eight other branches across the country.

‘Our mandate is to educate students/athletes and their families on getting the best education for the best price,’ said a company spokesman.

‘IESC works with students/athletes of all academic and athletic backgrounds, giving them the opportunity to go to school, play a sport and graduate, while keeping education costs to a minimum.’

Funded by the American and Canadian Universities, Inside Edge Sports Consultants is first and foremost an information service for university athletics.

Since the company’s inception, IESC has met more than 60,000 people.

‘Unfortunately, a single student/athlete or family does not have the resources or know-how to thoroughly and efficiently market a student athlete,’ said the spokesman.

‘Inside Edge recognised this trend and over the past eight years has developed the world’s most-proficient student/athlete-marketing programme.

‘We continue to pioneer a scenario that works alongside the schools and the students/athletes, matching the supply to the demand.’

IESC evaluates the student/athlete athletically, academically and personally.

The result of the assessment process will let the student/athlete know how many schools are available to hime or her from an educational and athletic standpoint.