From KES to Massachusetts: Life as a Student-Athlete in America

Former King Edward's student Sophie Kent has returned to the school after completing a successful first year on a hockey scholarship at the University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass). 

The former pupil, who left KES in 2025, enjoyed an impressive debut season in NCAA Division I sport, helping UMass secure the Mid-American Conference regular season title while also earning national academic recognition for her achievements in the classroom. 

Now back at King Edward's and supporting the sports department during her summer break, Sophie has been reflecting on the journey that took her from the school's hockey pitches to life as a student-athlete in the United States. 

Sophie's hockey journey began at local club Trojans, where she first developed a love for the sport while watching her older brother play. During her time at King Edward's she represented the school in hockey, netball and cricket before eventually focusing on hockey, a decision that would open doors she had never imagined. 

"It was year 11 when my parents first spoke to me about it," she said. "Because my dad had taught students previously who had then gone to America. 

"They asked me questions like 'Would you be interested? Is this something you'd want to do?' And at first, I was like, 'No, no, no.' 

"But then during that year, I went to a showcase where loads of different US college coaches are watching you play and then you speak to coaches afterwards." 

Although several coaches expressed interest, it initially appeared that nothing would come of the opportunity. 

"Then nothing happened, so we started to think maybe it's not going to happen," she recalls. "I thought nothing more of it as I started doing my A Levels." 

However, behind the scenes, conversations were continuing and shortly before her final A-level examination, Sophie received an unexpected opportunity. 

"One of the coaches from the showcase started emailing and then called my dad," she says. "Then it was before my last A Level and my parents finally told me, saying that they wanted me to come out but I needed to decide quickly because it was quite late by then. 

"I had a Zoom call with two of the coaches and they basically told me everything about it because I still didn't really know much of what I was going into.  They then told me that in order to get me out to the US on time I needed to decide by the following day. So I then spoke to a couple of people here [at King Edward's], hockey coaches, my elite sports mentor and had to weigh up a lot of different things.” 

"I was already planning a gap year of work and travel with friends but eventually I decided that I could do that at any time, but the scholarship opportunity was a once in a lifetime offer that I probably wouldn’t have got another shot at." 

Throughout her time at King Edward's, Sophie was a key member of the school's hockey programme, developing her skills while competing at the highest level of school sport and receiving support through the Talented Athlete Programme. 

"We are incredibly proud to see Sophie succeeding on the international stage at UMass. Her journey has been remarkable,” says Head of Hockey Calum Crichton. “Joining us as an under-12 player, she quickly established herself as a standout talent and was instrumental in the success of our indoor hockey programme, helping the school reach its first-ever girls’ National Indoor Finals. By the age of 15, she was already competing for the 1st XI, which was a real testament to her ability and character. 

"The high-quality coaching she received here, particularly through Miss Timms' one-to-one sessions, helped her develop the confidence and technical skills needed to progress into elite hockey environments beyond KES. Combined with a demanding fixture programme and top-level competition, we strive to create an environment where talented young athletes can fulfil their potential. Seeing Sophie thrive in NCAA Division I sport is a wonderful reflection of everything she has worked for, and we look forward to watching her continue to develop." 

After making the decision to accept the offer, Sophie committed to UMass, where she studies kinesiology while competing at one of the highest levels of US university sport. 

Arriving in Massachusetts in August, having never previously visited the campus, Sophie joined a diverse squad featuring players from across the world. Despite being one of the youngest members of the team, she quickly found her place within the group. 

"Everyone was so nice," she recalls. "Which probably comes from our team standards and culture set by the coaching team designed to bring the success that they want. 

"The main thing with our university, which our head coach says to everyone before they come, is that her biggest priority as a head coach, the thing she tried to work so hard for within our team, is our team culture and everyone getting on well, supporting each other and looking out for each other – in addition to wanting to win our championship and go to nationals, of course!"

Like many students moving away from home, adjusting to life in a new country brought challenges. 

"I would say it probably took until October half term here to adjust to the very different lifestyle and systems." she says, "Especially with the time difference as well”. 

"But what helped for me was my closest friend that I made out there also struggled with being away from her family because she's the youngest on our team. So, becoming closest friends with her enabled us to help each other out. 

"It was hard at the beginning but once you get into the regular season side of it, you were so busy that it's you get more used to it and you get into a routine, and for me a routine helped, and in particular it helped me not miss being at home." 

Sophie’s scholarship covers tuition fees, accommodation and living expenses but maintaining those benefits requires consistently strong academic performance.  Balancing elite sport with academic study is a central part of the student-athlete experience in America and provides a challenge in its own right. Alongside her degree, Sophie also completes a range of broader educational modules required as part of the American university system.   

Sophie thrived both on and off the field. During her first season she made 20 appearances, scored four goals and provided an assist as UMass claimed the Mid-American Conference regular season championship and reached the conference tournament final. 

Her success also extended into the classroom, where she was recognised as an NFHCA Division I Scholar of Distinction, an award presented to student-athletes who achieve exceptional academic results. 

While hockey occupies much of her time during the season, Sophie has also enjoyed experiencing American university life and exploring more of the country when her schedule allows. 

"It's obviously harder [during the season] because we have strict rules within our team that we create about the social aspect of things and, because we play games on Fridays and Sundays, with some of the away fixtures needing us to fly to get to them, it kind of limits the time available for social life. 

"Then obviously you've got to study but post season, so like after Christmas, the rules are a lot less and we don't have games so some of the rules don't apply and it's easier to have more of a social life in the post season than it is in season." 

"My friend and I have talked about getting a car because it makes life so much easier, especially in the off season when we have free weekends. We can then go and explore a bit more because within Amherst there's not a lot that we can do so a car would give us more freedom to like drive to Boston for the weekend or go to New York or get up the great lakes on the Canada border." 

Being thousands of miles from home has also been an adjustment for her family. 

"I think they found it, well, I know they found it very hard at the beginning," she says. 

"Last year they came out October half term to see me, and they've already planned to come again this October half term. They found it hard at the beginning, as did I. But then I think they got more [comfortable] once they came out and they saw that I was settled down and that I had a good group of friends. I think it made also made it easier for them, knowing that I was enjoying myself as well." 

Now back at King Edward's for the summer, Sophie is enjoying the opportunity to reconnect with staff and students before returning to Massachusetts for her second year. 

With three years still to come at UMass, Sophie is looking forward to continuing both her academic studies and sporting career in the United States while inspiring the next generation of King Edward's students to pursue ambitious goals of their own. 

To find out more about the Talented Athlete Programme at King Edward's, click here.