Charley Birdsall

As a talented athlete from Honolulu, HI, Charley knew that moving to the heart of the Southern California water polo scene was the key to unlocking her collegiate potential. After relocating to Newport Beach just before her 16th birthday, Charley sought out the highest level of training to bridge the gap between her foundation in Hawaii and the standards of the Big West.

When she connected with Tony, Rico, and the 6-8 Sports team, Charley found the pathway she needed to turn her D1 aspirations into a reality at UC Irvine.

I started with the 6-8 week-long camps and clinics, which were essential for my transition. From there, I was accepted into the Academy for two sessions and made it a priority to attend every collegiate showcase scheduled. The consistency of the training and the constant visibility to coaches during my time in the Academy was a total game-changer.

Charley Birdsall

Building a Data-Driven Profile

Through her deep immersion in the 6-8 ecosystem, Charley utilized the platform to quantify her versatility as a Center Defender and Utility player. By participating in multiple showcases, she was able to build a comprehensive data profile on the 6-8 Mobile App. This allowed college coaches to move beyond simple scouting reports and look at her “hard metrics”tracking her growth in speed, strength, and game IQ over time.

The 6-8 Dashboard served as her digital resume, proving she could compete with the best in the country.

From The Islands to The Anteaters

Charley is now a Redshirt Junior at UC Irvine, where she has been recognized on the Big West Commissioner’s Honor Roll and the Big West Spring All-Academic Team. Reflecting on her journey from the Islands to the Anteaters, Charley credits the structured environment of 6-8 Sports:

I’m so grateful for the opportunities 6-8 provided. Being part of the Academy and the showcases allowed me to put in the work and then show coaches exactly what I was capable of. It was a huge part of my journey to UCI.