At just twelve years old, determined NSR student-athlete Kyle Deyzel and his supportive parents Gavin and Chantell have already got their sights set on the soccer talent’s US college future.
Stumbling across an NSR flyer earlier this year, Kyle attended a trial with dad Gavin in tow, hoping to observe the trial process and gain an insight into the US college opportunity.
Upon arrival, Kyle was encouraged to participate in the trial and after impressing NSR staff and soccer coaches, was offered an interview.
Just a few short weeks later, Kyle found himself signed up to the NSR program and looking to prepare himself for college in 2022, what seems like a lifetime away.
Kyle’s father, Gavin sees incredible benefits from getting his son involved extremely early with the college process and feels that coming into contact with NSR happened for a reason.
Getting a head 
start
The vast majority of NSR prospects begin their college process at the age of 15 or 16 and experience the full-steam-ahead train from the outset. Working to build their promotional website, gather video footage and attract college offers, the athletes have a lot on their plate while persisting with high school studies.
Gavin explains that having Kyle enter the program at an early age is a great way to ensure his son will have the opportunity to both follow his dream of playing professional soccer and the chance to study at a higher level.
“I know my son will never change his mind about soccer and this is what he wants to do.
“As parents, we definitely want him to go to University, so if neither of us are going to change our minds and NSR will help us achieve both our dreams as parents but also for Kyle as a soccer player, we just thought; how can we possibly turn this down?” Gavin said.
Kyle Deyzel, currently in year seven in Chisholm, NSW, now has approximately five years to prepare himself mentally and physically for his future. He will spend those years doing a variety of things to increase his chance of securing an excellent college offer.
As well as gathering game footage, developing an impressive promotional video, building his website and continuing to train consistently, Kyle will be in contact with NSR’s High Performance Coach, Michael Chiovitti to develop his nutrition and mental and physical health to a standard that will coincide with the American college football levels.
“He (Michael) will help him in terms of how to prepare himself and making sure his readiness levels are the best that they can be to make him the best athlete that he can be by the time he gets on the plane. From a performance point of a view, he will help assess Kyle,” Gavin noted.
Gavin and Kyle have received frequent contact from NSR, a feature that helps keep Kyle on track and up to date with his progress towards his future. Gavin explains that this contact has been hugely beneficial for his son.
“We constantly get emails from NSR, with small little motivational notes for Kyle which I think is great! I print it for Kyle and give it to him and his smile goes from ear-to-ear.
“There was an article of some sort that talked about not needing talent to be successful and Kyle forwarded that to my work email and wanted me to print and laminate it for him. He has that on his wall in his bedroom!” Gavin said of Kyle’s enthusiasm.
Gavin notes that although he still wants Kyle to enjoy his childhood and make time for himself, he asserts that Kyle is very motivated and that this early process has instilled within Kyle a sense of discipline.
“I believe the younger you are when you start becoming disciplined in anything…if you start at an earlier age, it becomes a way of life.
“I can only see him being a better student from an academic point of view at 15 or 16 and I can only see him being a better soccer player at that age. He is starting to push himself so hard now at such a young age,” the supportive father said.
All things soccer
Kyle has been living and breathing soccer since the age of five and rarely wastes a single second of his day thinking about anything else.
“My son is always looking for an opportunity to play at a higher level,” Gavin said.
Kyle’s passion for soccer is reflected through his chaotic schedule of soccer training, school, soccer games and his own personal training, taking up all of his week and the majority of his weekend.
This inspiring young athlete’s persistence and determination is a key value that his father is proud of, but Gavin does sometimes worry that Kyle will tire himself out before too long.
“I just feel that at this point in time for a 12 year-old to have a program that heavily loaded, I don’t believe it is something that he can sustain long-term,” Gavin admitted.
Kyle’s extensive preparation period before college and his access to resources and advice like that of High Performance coach Michael will help alleviate Gavin’s concerns.
“I am looking forward to the skype session with Michael because I am concerned that Kyle might burn himself out.”
For the moment, however, young Kyle Deyzel is consumed by his soccer and is enjoying himself, something every parent hopes for.
“If he’s not kicking a ball then he’s in his room on his iPad watching soccer videos or replays of the EPL. He loves going onto the NSR website too,” Gavin said.
Not only is Kyle’s fascination and passion for soccer reflected in his social and leisure life, it also influences his academic career.
There’s no stopping this pocket-rocket!
Study motivation
Gavin admits that before Kyle’s NSR journey began, he didn’t display much interest in performing well academically. The fact that the opportunity to receive a quality college offer depends on both athletic and academic performances has given Kyle incentive and motivation to improve his studies and maintain a high level of dedication in this area.
After meeting with NSR director Marco Maisano and understanding that colleges will also evaluate an athlete’s academic performance, Kyle’s results have increased exponentially, just another example of the benefits Kyle has reaped with joining NSR as a young lad.
“I know it’s only been a month, but I’ve never seen him study like he did for his last exams. It’s because he knows if he wants to have a good shot at playing soccer in a really good college, he needs to study,” Gavin mentioned.
Kyle’s mind never strays far from soccer, something his Dad noted when he asked him what he would consider studying at college in the future.
Kyle’s answer: “Soccer, I’ll study soccer.”
Having agreed that studying soccer may not be an option, the father and son have since explored the possibility of heading down the path of sports science. Kyle wants to study “anything to do with sport” and Gavin noted warmly; “the way I know Kyle; it will be something related to sport.”
It’s hard to believe that these conversations are occurring when young Kyle still has approximately five years until the journey gets underway, but that’s the beauty of the situation for the Deyzel family; his opportunities are endless.
“I think from that point of view he is still very young; his indication is that he would like to study anything to do with sports. There’s a wide field of opportunities in that sector,” Gavin said optimistically.
“At this point in time for him, it’s all about soccer!”
Kyle’s support team
There’s no denying that Kyle’s parents, Gavin and Chantell are the young superstar’s number one fans and supporters, but there is another duo challenging the position for Kyle’s ultimate admirers.
Kyle’s Grandparents back in South Africa have nurtured and encouraged Kyle through this process and have even assisted enormously in funding Kyle’s commitment to his future.
Gavin expressed how supportive his parents have been of Kyle, noting that his father said to him; “Gavin, you’ve got to do this. You can’t take this opportunity away from Kyle.”
With no absence of support from either his family, coaches or resources at NSR, Kyle is on the long, yet valuable and rewarding journey to college in the US.
Kyle’s family are exceptionally excited for him, with his supportive Dad, Gavin stating:
“He will get to follow his dream and play soccer at a level that he would never be exposed to over here, and at the same time he gets a degree. Why would you possibly turn it down!”
Gavin is ecstatic, but can’t deny he won’t miss his son or anticipate his return.
“The only thing I hope is that he does end up coming back after the four years!” Gavin joked.
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