Having a sports scholarship to a U.S. university has been a transformative opportunity for many athletes worldwide, offering unique paths for personal and professional growth. However, talent alone isn’t enough, as Tyler Hollingsworth from Sable International told BizNews in an interview. Strong academic performance is crucial, he emphasised, adding that even a prodigy like Cristiano Ronaldo wouldn’t gain entry to a prestigious school without good grades. He noted that sports such as swimming, golf, and tennis are where many South African athletes go abroad, thanks to coaches with strong institutional connections and a good understanding of the process. Hollingsworth stressed the importance of considering such a move early in one’s academic career. While parents often discourage social media, it can be advantageous when applying for a US college athlete scholarship, as it helps attract the attention of coaches. Hollingsworth, who earned a finance degree in the US while playing football, started a company to help students follow in his footsteps and joined Sable International earlier this year. Three students from his programme have competed in the Olympics, and he has secured over a billion rand in academic and sports scholarships for students.