How to Follow Up with Coaches After an IWLCA Event

An IWLCA event can place a prospective student-athlete in front of coaches who may otherwise never see them compete. The tournament, recruiting showcase, video coverage and social updates create several opportunities to demonstrate athletic ability, communication skills and genuine interest in a college programme. The follow-up after the event determines whether that initial contact becomes an ongoing recruiting conversation.

For Australian players, the process may feel unfamiliar. A coach in the United States is assessing athletes within NCAA recruiting rules, roster needs, academic standards and scholarship budgets. The time difference can make communication less immediate, while the Australian school calendar does not align neatly with the American college cycle. A thoughtful follow-up helps bridge those practical differences.

The strongest message is timely, personal and useful. Coaches may meet hundreds of athletes during a busy tournament weekend, so a generic “thanks for watching” email is easy to forget. A short note that identifies the match, position, jersey number and a specific conversation gives the coach a clear reason to remember you.

Follow-up should also be viewed as an ongoing relationship rather than a single email. Your academic results, match clips, school season, club schedule and athletic progress can provide relevant updates throughout the year. Consistent, professional contact shows maturity and makes it easier for a coach to evaluate your development.

Prepare Your Details Before the Event

Create a simple recruiting profile before arriving at the IWLCA event. Include your full name, graduation year, primary and secondary positions, dominant hand, height, club and school, location, contact details and any relevant academic information. Add a link to a current highlight video, but make sure the link works on a phone and does not require special access.

A coach may remember a player by jersey number or a particular play rather than by name. Record the games in which you play, your field or venue, the approximate time of the match and any coaches who speak with you. After a large event in a city such as Orlando, Tampa or another major US tournament location, these notes will help you distinguish one conversation from another.

Australian athletes should state their location clearly. Writing “Sydney, Australia” or “Melbourne, Victoria” immediately explains the time zone and travel context. If you are based in Brisbane, Perth or Adelaide, include that city rather than expecting an American coach to identify the time difference. A coach can then plan a call during a realistic window instead of contacting you while you are asleep or at school.

Keep a record of each college that interests you, including the division, course options, team culture, location and coach contact details. This can be a spreadsheet or a recruiting platform, provided it is kept secure. Under Australia’s Privacy Act, personal information should be handled carefully; avoid placing your phone number, academic records or family details in a public document that can be accessed by anyone with a link.

Send A Personal Message Promptly

Aim to send a first follow-up within two or three days of your final game. This gives coaches enough time to return from the event while keeping your performance fresh in their minds. If the event finishes on a Sunday in the United States, an email sent on Monday evening or Tuesday morning Australian time may reach a coach at a practical point in their working week.

Use a clear subject line such as “IWLCA [Event Name] Follow-Up — [Name], Class of [Year]”. Start with your identity and the reason for writing. Mention your team, jersey number, position and the field or match where the coach saw you. If you spoke directly, refer to the topic you discussed, such as a degree programme, defensive system or upcoming recruiting timeline.

A useful message might read:

Hello Coach [Surname],

Thank you for watching [Club Name] at [Event Name]. I am [Name], a 2027 midfielder wearing number 14. We spoke after our match against [Opponent] about your sports science programme and the way your team develops two-way midfielders. I enjoyed learning more about [College] and would be pleased to stay in touch.

Here is my updated highlight video and player profile: [link]. My next competition is [event or season], and I will send a short update when new footage is available.

Kind regards,
[Name]
[Email] | [Mobile] | [Club]

Avoid copying the same paragraph to every coach. Personalisation does not require a long email; one accurate detail is usually more effective than several broad compliments. Do not claim a college is your dream school unless that is genuinely true, and do not exaggerate your role, statistics or academic standing. Coaches value credible information.

Make Your Video And Profile Easy To Assess

A highlight reel should support your message, not replace it. Keep the opening section focused and make it easy to identify you before the first play begins. A brief title card can include your name, graduation year, position, club and jersey number. Use game footage that shows decision-making, off-ball movement, defensive effort and communication, rather than only spectacular goals or difficult tricks.

Provide full-game footage when possible. A coach may want to assess your positioning, work rate, transitions and response after mistakes. If the IWLCA event offers official video, link to the relevant game or timestamp and explain which team you played for. Check that the footage is correctly labelled, especially when several matches are held at the same venue.

Keep the player profile current. Include recent statistics only when they can be explained accurately, and identify whether they came from club competition, school lacrosse or an IWLCA tournament. Add academic information in the format a US coach can understand, such as your school, expected graduation year and available results. International qualifications differ, so coaches may later request transcripts or an academic evaluation.

Review every link before sending it. Open it in a private browser window and test it on a mobile device, as many coaches read email between training sessions or while travelling. Use a professional email address based on your name, and make sure your voicemail greeting is suitable for a college coach. These small details matter in the Australian market, where players often balance school, club training and part-time commitments on a mobile-first schedule.

Continue The Conversation With Relevant Updates

If a coach replies, answer within a reasonable period and address each point. A response does not need to arrive immediately if you are at school or training, but leaving an email unanswered for a week can interrupt the conversation. When a coach asks about grades, competition plans or your interest in the college, give a direct and honest answer.

Ask focused questions that help you understand the programme. Appropriate subjects include the position the coach is recruiting for, the team’s training schedule, the academic support available to international students, the application process and how the programme manages travel. Questions should show that you have researched the college rather than asking for information clearly displayed on its website.

Send updates when you have something meaningful to share. Examples include a new full-game video, a change in position, a school result, a confirmed tournament schedule, an award or a significant improvement in strength or speed. A brief update every several weeks or around major competitions is generally more useful than frequent messages with no new information.

For an Australian player, explain your upcoming calendar in both local and US-friendly terms. “Our school season runs from Term 2 to Term 3” may need a short explanation because American coaches may not know the Australian school-year structure. Include dates, city and time zone when discussing a live match or call. Remember that daylight saving varies: Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Canberra may be on AEDT while Brisbane remains on AEST, and Perth is further behind. Confirm the time in writing to prevent missed calls.

Handle Recruiting Rules And Communication Professionally

A coach’s interest does not automatically mean an offer, roster place or scholarship. NCAA recruiting rules govern when coaches can contact athletes, when they can make certain offers and what forms of communication are permitted. Rules can vary according to division and may change, so treat information from event conversations as an opening rather than a guarantee. The college compliance office is the appropriate source for official guidance.

International student-athletes also need to consider admissions, English-language requirements, visas, amateur status and eligibility certification. Keep records of school attendance, club participation and competition history. Do not accept benefits, payments or arrangements that could affect eligibility without checking with the relevant college compliance staff. An Australian coach, parent or agent can help organise documents, but the athlete should understand what has been submitted in their name.

Communication should remain respectful even when a coach does not reply. Send one polite reminder after about a week or two, then provide a relevant update later in the season rather than sending repeated messages. Coaches change roles, travel frequently and manage large recruiting lists. A lack of response is not necessarily a judgement on your ability, but repeated messages can make future contact harder.

Use social media carefully. Follow official team accounts if you wish, and engage with posts in a respectful way, but do not flood a coach’s personal account with direct messages. Review public content for language, images and comments that may not reflect the professional image you want colleges to see. Ask permission before sharing photographs that include teammates, and avoid posting private event information or another athlete’s personal details.

The best follow-up combines confidence with patience. Thank the coach, share evidence of your game, explain your interest and make it easy to continue the conversation. Then keep developing as a player and student. Attend your Australian club sessions, prepare seriously for school assessments and use each competition to produce better film and clearer evidence of your strengths.

Send your next message with an accurate profile, a working video link and a specific reason for contacting the coach. Keep your recruiting records organised, respect NCAA and college procedures, and maintain a professional presence across email and social media. A well-managed follow-up after an IWLCA event can turn a brief tournament meeting into a credible pathway towards college lacrosse in the United States.