Chloe Koh takes the next step in her football journey with NCAA Division 1 move

Chloe Koh, a 2023 recipient of the Unleash The Roar! (UTR!) Overseas Football Scholarship has secured an academic and athletic scholarship to study and play football at St Bonaventure University in New York, United States from the third quarter of 2026.

The 19-year-old will be graduating from the prestigious IMG Academy in May 2026, ending a three-year UTR! scholarship. But she has already earned a place in St Bonaventure University to play football in the highly-competitive NCAA Division 1 Atlantic 10 Conference, marking an important step forward in her development as a student-athlete.

Chloe is set to become only the second Singaporean female footballer to feature in the NCAA Division 1 system, following Putri Syaliza who represented Oakland University in 2023. Already with more than 10 caps for the women's senior national team, Chloe's progression reflects both her individual dedication and the growing pathway for our Singapore young female footballers.

Why St Bonaventure University? While Chloe had initially considered other options, including a move outside America, it was her visit to St Bonaventure that ultimately changed everything.

“I was actually quite set on another school at first,” she shared. “But when I visited St Bonaventure, I was pleasantly surprised. The coaches and players are such great people. It made the decision really easy.”

Beyond the welcoming environment, the campus which is surrounded by nature and located near New York City - a refreshing change of scenery from Florida. More importantly, the opportunity to compete at the top-tier NCAA Division 1 level proved too significant to pass up.

A Challenging Journey

Chloe’s path to this milestone was not without its challenges. The search for a scholarship and the college tested her resilience and belief in her own abilities.

“The recruiting journey was very rough and stressful,” she admitted.

However, her perseverance paid off. When the opportunity came, she seized it, which turned what once seemed uncertain into a defining moment in her journey.

“This is my first short-term goal ticked off,” she said. “Now, my next goal is to make the gameday roster and get some game time as a freshman. Most importantly, I just want to enjoy the process.”

A shared journey with family

Adding a unique dimension to her experience is the presence of her younger sister, Celine Koh, 15, who is also training at IMG Academy under the UTR! Overseas Football Scholarship.

“It’s been really nice to have my sister here in my final year,” Chloe shared. “We sometimes train together and have even played games together.”

The shared experience has not only strengthened their bond but also provided mutual support as they navigate their football journeys abroad.

Her message to her sister is simple:

“Don’t give up. Your hard work will pay off.”

Inspiring the Next Generation

As Chloe takes this next step, she hopes her journey will inspire other young girls in Singapore who wish to pursue football at a higher level.

“Everything works out in the end, but only if you put in the work,” she said.

“The journey can be tough, but nothing is impossible. Stay grounded, keep chasing your dreams, and don’t forget to enjoy what you do.”