Dandy Town striker Dante Leverock has been given the chance to further his football and academic education at St. Mary’s College University in England.Leverock, 19, is due to attend the London based university in August where he will fulfil his ambitions on a three-year sports coaching and science course scholarship.Former Bermuda Football Association (BFA) technical director Derek Broadley, who coached Leverock in the National Academy, recommended him to the university.Leverock, cousin of top Bermuda player Khano Smith, had been on the verge of starting at a different UK university but, after visiting the facility, changed his mind.“The opportunity came about through Derek Broadley, I was already in the UK and was going to go to a different school but it didn’t work out,” said Leverock, who represented the Bermuda Under-20s in this year’s World Cup qualifiers.“It wasn’t that it was bad or anything like that, it was more about going off of someone’s word and when I got there it wasn’t what I wanted. I looked to Derek for guidance, he gave me some advice and it turned out to be beneficial because I liked the school and have decided to go there. I got offered a place and I’m excited.”The big striker said his classroom education would take priority over his football development, although he admitted he was looking forward to donning his boots for the university side.“I will be involved in academic and athletic programmes but the academics is more important as it gives me something to fall back on later on in life,” he said.Leverock is regularly in contact with UK-based Bermuda players Reggie Lambe, Nahki Wells and Quadir Maynard and hasn’t completely ruled out having a stab at winning a contract at a non-league club.“I speak to Quadir, Nahki and those guys regularly and three clubs are interested in me at the moment. I’m not trying to stop here, this is only a stepping stone to go forward.”Leverock’s mother, Tanya Smith, supports her son’s decision to study in the UK and said it was important young players had a full education.“I’m pleased with this, I will back him no matter what he decides,” she said.“He has always wanted to play football but he also knows that he needs something to fall back on in case of injury, as has happened to him previously.“It’s important to have a degree and I only want the best for him. With his international experience, he can be an important part of any team that will look at him.”