After two seasons developing at IDA Valencia, goalkeeper Robert Conover has committed to West Chester University, where he’ll continue his academic and athletic career in NCAA Division II.
For the Maine native, the move to Spain wasn’t simply about experiencing football abroad – it was about finding an environment that would challenge him every day, accelerate his development, and prepare him for the next step in his career.
Looking back, Robert believes those two years in Spain shaped him just as much as the destination they helped him reach.
Robert’s football journey took him through several different soccer environments before eventually bringing him to Spain.
He first discovered the game while living in South Carolina, where he spent five to six years playing for GPS. After moving to Maine, he continued developing with a local club before joining New England Surf, where he spent the next two seasons continuing his growth as a goalkeeper. That experience became the foundation for the next step in his journey, earning the opportunity to join IDA Valencia and continue his development in Spain.
“Every step of that journey helped shape me into the player I am today and ultimately led me to IDA Valencia,” he said.
Experiencing different football cultures from an early age also shaped the way he approached the game.
“In South Carolina, I learned the fundamentals of the game and developed my passion for playing. After moving to Maine, I had fewer opportunities than players in bigger soccer markets, so I had to make the most of every training session and every match.”
That experience taught Robert the value of consistency, discipline, and making the most of every opportunity – qualities that would become even more important when he decided to continue his development overseas.
Rather than taking a familiar path, Robert chose to continue his development in Spain.
“I wanted to challenge myself in a completely different football environment,” he explained. “Training and living in Spain gave me the opportunity to experience a new style of play while also opening doors toward playing college soccer in the United States.”
From his very first training session, he knew he had found exactly what he was looking for.
“The intensity and quality of the training stood out immediately. Every session was competitive, and the technical level was extremely high. It pushed me outside of my comfort zone from day one.”
The biggest adjustment came from the speed of the game.
“Every player was comfortable on the ball, so you had to think and react much faster than I was used to.”
As the months passed, Robert noticed improvements in every area of his game.
“I’ve improved in every aspect. Technically, I’ve become much more comfortable with the ball at my feet. Tactically, I’ve learned how to read the game better and communicate more effectively with my back line. Mentally, I’ve become more confident, resilient, and able to handle pressure in big matches.”
His growth was reflected not only in his individual performances, but also in the success of the teams he represented.
During his time in Spain, Robert celebrated victories in the MIC Football Silver Bracket, Surf Cup International Salou Silver Bracket, and the Segona Juvenil League with CFA Quart de les Valls. He also celebrated promotion with the club’s U19 side – achievements that came through competing week in and week out against strong opposition. Competing in both elite international tournaments and the Spanish league allowed him to test himself in different high-level environments throughout the season.
“It was a combination of everything,” he said. “The coaching staff, the daily training environment, and the opportunity to compete against top professional academies all helped me improve.”
Away from football, the experience proved just as valuable.
“Living abroad helped me become much more independent and adaptable. I also met lifelong friends from all over the world, and experiencing different cultures was something I’ll always be grateful for.”
As Robert continued developing in Spain, college soccer became less of a dream and more of an attainable goal.
“Once I started competing consistently at IDA and playing against high-level competition, I realized college soccer was a realistic goal.”
Another important part of that journey was IDA Valencia’s partnership with Brusa Sports, which helped guide him through the recruiting process.
“They helped me create my player profile, communicate with college coaches, and find programs that were a good fit both academically and athletically. Having IDA and BRUSA working together made the whole recruiting process much smoother and gave me a lot of confidence.”
That process ultimately led him to West Chester University. By that stage, Robert had already experienced every level of the organization’s player development model – from club football in the U.S. to a full-time academy environment, international competition, and Spanish league football.
“I’ll be joining the roster as one of five goalkeepers. I’m excited to compete every day, keep improving, and earn my opportunities within the program.”
For Robert, choosing West Chester came down to more than football alone.
“West Chester University stood out because of the coaching staff, the competitive environment, and the overall culture of the program. I felt it was the right place for me to continue developing both as a student and as a goalkeeper.”
Now, he’s eager to embrace another challenge.
“I’m looking forward to competing at the college level, improving every day, and challenging myself against talented players. It’s another opportunity to keep growing and see how far I can take my game.”
Reflecting on his experience, Robert credits his time in Spain with preparing him for every aspect of what’s ahead.
“My time at IDA was incredibly important. It gave me the chance to train in a professional environment, compete against top academies, win trophies, earn promotion with Quart de les Valls U19, and experience football from a completely different perspective.”
Just as importantly, it connected him with the people and opportunities that helped turn his college ambitions into reality.
“It also connected me with Brusa Sports, which helped make my college dream a reality. Without IDA, I don’t think I would have been as prepared for the opportunities I have today.”
This fall, Robert begins his NCAA Division II career at West Chester University, bringing with him not only two seasons of experience competing in Spain, but also the confidence, resilience, and perspective gained from stepping outside his comfort zone.
Robert’s story also highlights the strength of a connected player development pathway. His journey within the Global Soccer Alliance ecosystem began at New England Surf, where he spent multiple seasons developing before taking the next step to IDA Valencia. In Spain, he combined daily academy training with international tournaments such as the Surf Cup International Salou and MIC Football Tournament, while competing week in and week out with CFA Quart de les Valls. Today, that journey has led him to West Chester University –a progression that demonstrates how club development, international academy training, elite competition, and college placement can work together as one continuous pathway.
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