Teen off to US on football scholarship
HE’S been on the books of Cardiff City and worked as an airport baggage handler to pursue his dream.
Now, an aspiring young footballer has jetted to the United States after winning a prized sports scholarship.
Talented teenager Ieuan Ridout, from the Vale of Glamorgan, has flown out to study for a physical education and sports science degree at the Iowa Wesleyan University in Mount Pleasant.
The 19-year-old former Cowbridge Comprehensive pupil, from St Nicholas, flew out last week after finishing two seasons at National League side Cheltenham Town FC, which he joined after finishing his GCSEs aged 16.
Midfielder Ieuan has been on the books at professional clubs including Cardiff City and Bristol City and has also played for Vale-based PG10 Coaching against Manchester City, Newport County, and scored five goals against the regional champions in Barcelona.
Ieuan’s mother Sarah McLaren said she was extremely proud of her son’s achievement – especially as he had won the scholarship to study in the US while dealing with injury and his father, former Wales under-21 player Clint Ridout, being treated for cancer.
Ieuan suffered a knee cartilage injury which saw him out of the game for nine months during his second season at Cheltenham but despite that, he was offered several scholarships in the US before opting for Iowa Weslyan.
His father Clint, who works as an adult nurse, is now in remission after six operations for melanoma.
“Ieuan set his sights on the USA a couple of years ago and got his profile out there but had a lot to deal with,” said Sarah.
The teenager hopes to be home in St Nicholas for Christmas with his parents and sister Frankie, eight.
After getting a triple distinction in a level three extended diploma in sport and performance excellence – equivalent to three A-levels – last summer, Ieuan spent a year working as a baggage handler at Cardiff Airport to fund his US college studies.
His scholarship covers 75% of the $46,000 annual cost, said Sarah, an airside safety officer at Cardiff Airport.
“When he went to Cheltenham we were worried because he was only 16 but the host family treated him like one of their own and he was only an hour and a half away.
“Now, he will be a nine-hour flight and 6,500 miles away.
“When he finished at Cheltenham he could have gone on to trials to get into another club but he was set from early on to go to America.
“The US college leagues are equivalent to semi-professional here with thousands turning up to watch them. That might lead to a professional career there.”
Peter Griffiths from PG10 said: “We are extremely proud of Ieuan and the adventure he now looks forward to– moving to USA to play football and study is a wonderful opportunity for him and he has done his family proud.”