Our team is made up of former college coaches, recruiters and athletes

Amrit Rai is founder / owner of Platform Sports. He comes from the city of New Plymouth, New Zealand, and founded Platform Sports in 2014. Over the course of 9 remarkable years, Amrit has been instrumental in facilitating the college dreams of more than three hundred student athletes. His efforts have resulted in securing over 50 million in scholarships for these talented individuals, enabling them to gain access to prestigious universities. With a global outlook, Amrit’s reach extends to athletes from 13 different countries. He has diligently built a strong recruitment team dedicated to assisting student athletes in finding the right college fit. Amrit’s mission focuses on creating a safe and transparent pathway for each student athlete, tailored to their unique college aspirations.

William Clarkson is from Auckland, New Zealand and is the Recruitment Manager at Platform Sports. His role is to ensure that the college placement process runs smoothly for all of our amazing athletes. Prior to working at Platform, Will had competed at a US College for lacrosse. Alongside this he currently coaches for and represents New Zealand for lacrosse internationally. His passion for sports, coaching and helping student athletes unlock their potential makes him the perfect recruitment manager for our Platform Team.

Having grown up as the nephew of Basketball Hall of Famer Isaiah Thomas, Ashanti’s life has been intertwined with basketball and professional sports from an early age. As an experienced sports official at the high school and college levels, he has honed a keen eye for talent and established strong connections with high school and college coaches, athletes, and parents. In addition to his sports recruiting prowess, Ashanti brings valuable experience as a former Admissions Advisor at Kaplan, where he guided students through the college admissions process, identifying the best fit for each individual.

Stefan is from Auckland, New Zealand, and is the Content Manager / Administrator for Platform Sports. Stefan graduated Victoria University with a Bachelors in Film and Media. His role within Platform Sports is to create transparent image of the college system through content. Stefan is also heavily involved in areas of the college process for student athletes. 

Over the past 12 years, Luca has been deeply immersed in the world of collegiate soccer, both as a player and as a coach. His journey began as a player at Robert Morris University, where he competed at the NCAA Division I level from 2010 to 2013. Following his playing days, he transitioned into coaching which led him to various esteemed institutions in the collegiate soccer scene. At Florida International University, he served as an Assistant Coach in 2023, contributing to the team’s success and player development. Prior to FIU he was the associate Head Coach at Long Island University from 2018 to 2022.

Meet Andrew Peat, a seasoned Sports Performance Analyst, Video Coach, and Assistant Coach with a remarkable track record. With his expertise, Andrew has contributed significantly to the success of various international events, including four International Women’s World Cup tournaments and one Men’s FIFA Club World Cup. Notably, Andrew played a pivotal role in supporting the Canada Women’s National Team as they secured the prestigious Bronze Medal during the London 2012 Olympics. His dedication and passion for the game also led him to work with the Vancouver Whitecaps, a Professional Men’s Football team in Major League Soccer (MLS), where he served as part of the Technical Staff for four seasons. His keen eye for analysing performance and utilising video as a powerful tool make him a valuable addition to our Platform Team.

Nikki Drake, a proud alumni of Northwood University, is a shining example of dedication and ambition. From 2006 to 2010, she pursued her passion for sports management at Northwood University, where she honed her skills and knowledge in the field. With her strong educational foundation and a keen interest in the sports industry, Nikki has become the academic director and has made significant contributions to ensuring that our athletes are getting the right grades for their chosen college.

Natasha Lloyd is one of New Zealand’s best swimmers in the history of the sport. Natasha held a breaststroke records and has represented New Zealand on international stages. Natasha is a two time All-American, which is the highest sporting honour for a student athlete. She attended Auburn University, one of the most prestigious colleges in America. As a college recruiter she has earned over $3 million in scholarships for student athletes and her connections run deep in the college system. Very happy to have Natasha on the Platform Team.

Fabian is a rugby athlete from Southwest London who competed for Central Washington University from 2015 to 2017 before transferring and graduating at the University of Arizona from 2017 to 2019. He began working for ASM in 2018 and became the director of athlete management in 2020. Fabian has some incredible insights into the American college system because of his experience attending some elite American colleges and his role as the director of athlete management couldn’t be more fitting.

Ryan Arvin excelled in college soccer, playing at both Canisius and Mercyhurst. At Canisius, he set records for career (1.18) and single-season (1.08) goals-against averages. In 2014, his one season with the Lakers, he went undefeated at 11-0-0, secured five shutouts, and led the team to the NCAA Division II Tournament Round of 16. In August 2021, Arvin joined St. John’s staff after an impressive six-season tenure at St. Bonaventure. There, he played a pivotal role in elevating the program from conference underdog to a perennial contender. Arvin led the Bonnies to a remarkable turnaround, achieving a .500 conference record and securing their first Atlantic 10 Tournament position in almost a decade by his third year.

Simon was born in Ireland to Belgian parents, but I grew up and went to school in Christchurch (NZ). Simon played through the soccer grades at Cashmere Technical and Canterbury United, captaining the Youth Team and getting a First Team contract before making my move to the United States. Simon’s first two college seasons were at Quincy University (NCAA D2) before transferring to East Tennessee State University (NCAA D1) and later Saint Joseph’s University (NCAA D1). Simon placed many student-athletes into the college system in 2022. With his experience and knowledge of the American college system, our student-athletes will have an advantage in obtaining a college scholarship.

Luis Acevedo brings a wealth of experience both as a coach and a competitor. He has notably served as a former golf coach for both Arkansas State University and Virginia Commonwealth University, where he shared his knowledge and passion for the sport. His journey in golf began as a competitive player, representing North Carolina A&T and Arkansas State University, where he honed his skills and demonstrated his commitment to excellence. This commitment and excellence is carried over into his career as a golf recruiter, placing countless athletes in elite colleges!

Marina Carbonari has an impressive background in both swim coaching and competition. Her coaching journey began at Greensboro University, where she served as a swim coach, imparting her expertise and passion to aspiring athletes. Her own swimming career flourished during her time at Delta State University. Additionally, Marina has extended her influence as a former swim coach for the Swim Fanatics Swim Club, further nurturing the talents of young swimmers and contributing to the sport’s growth and success.

Ben Thomas, our American Football recruiter, brings a unique perspective to his role thanks to his own impressive football journey. As a former wide receiver for Iowa Wesleyan University, Ben displayed his athletic prowess by leading the conference in both yards and catches during his standout sophomore year in 2019-2020. His academic pursuits further evidence his dedication to the sport, as he studied sports management, combining his passion for football with a strong foundation in the industry.