7 Elite Academy UK has launched a fundraising drive to help players from Liverpool travel to one of the biggest youth football and college scholarship  selection tournaments in the United States.

The 7 Elite Academy International Tournament attracts over 400 teams to Southern Utah and Nevada every February, alongside college recruiters and professional scouts.

Players from 7 Elite Academy UK regularly travel to the competition, which was won by a Under-13 team from Liverpool in 2020, and is set to attract another record attendance on February 1-3, 2024.

Youngsters will be working with sponsors, local charities and community events over the next few months to generate funds.

And with a new Go Fund Me Page also launched, it is hoped that at least three teams from 7 Elite Academy in Liverpool will be able to make the life-changing trip.

Anthony Godfrey, 7 Elite Academy Director, said: “The 7 Elite Academy International Tournament is a firm highlight of our football calendar, both in the UK and USA.

“We know how important this tournament is to players who are looking for college scholarships and potential contracts with professional clubs in the United States.

“As well as the tournament itself, players will visit local colleges and professional clubs to make vital contacts with recruiters and scouts for the future. 

“As an academy, we take the future of our players, both in football and education, incredibly seriously. That is why we want to take as many players as possible in 2024.

“We expect all our young people to work hard for these opportunities, so they will be carrying out community activities and fundraising work across the city to help pay the costs involved.

“This will be a life-changing trip for the youngsters who travel and we are also asking friends, families and the entire community to play a role by donating.”

The tournament will take place in St George and Washington in Utah, and Mesquite in Nevada on February 1-3. Players will also spend time in the region before and after the competition.

Games are controlled by some of the best officials from the United States and United Kingdom, with a league system designed to offer competitive games throughout.

Wayne Scholes, Chairman of 7 Elite Academy, is looking forward to seeing players from Liverpool face some of the best youth football teams in the United States at the tournament.

He said: “This is an exciting opportunity for these young people and I expect them to grab it with both hands. It will be fascinating to see how they stack up against some of the big teams from Utah and surrounding regions.

“Not only that, they will be playing in front of recruiters who can offer full scholarships with the best colleges in the United States, as well as scouts from leading professional clubs.

“We’re designing a programme of events and visits that will make the most of their time in the USA, including college tours and training sessions with professional coaches.

“The players are all aware that for this trip to happen, they need to work hard beforehand to raise funds and collect sponsors. This is a key part of the entire experience.”