AUBURN - Most athletes have to wait until they've made it to the professional level before getting to travel the world, playing the games they love.

But for two young Auburn natives, Joel Handley, 13, and Conor Soules, 13, there will be no waiting.

Both are currently in Holland, serving as sports ambassadors, representing both Auburn and the United States at the Youth Partnership Games as part of the People to People Sports Ambassador program.

The program is designed to give young athletes from all over the world the opportunity to meet other young athletes to share not only their athletic know-how, but also as a chance to have a personal and cultural exchange, giving all participants a broader world view.

“I'm excited for them,” Handley's mother, Laurie, said. “I'm really proud that they are going to get to do this and represent both the U.S.A. and Auburn. It is a really unique experience, the chance of a lifetime to play in another country and to get a different perspective on how other kids play, but also to meet other children and get to know other people.”

Both Handley and Soules are close friends, but will be representing different sports. Handley is playing basketball and Soules is playing soccer.

“We probably aren't going to get to see each other too much,” Handley said. “We're going to be pretty busy while we're there, but it should still be a lot of fun.”

Both Handley and Soules were chosen after an extensive recommendation and screening process and are among just a handful of athletes picked from New York.

“Scouts come to the games and watch you play,” Handley said. “And then coaches recommend you and then you have to have three references. I was really excited when I found out I got picked. I'm really happy I get to go and that I was chosen for it.”

Soules, who plays soccer for Arsenal Academy based in Marcellus, has had a few opportunities to travel and see the world.

He has served as a student ambassador, visiting Washington D.C., Hawaii as well as England and France.

But this will be his first chance to show his prowess on the soccer field.

“I'm pretty proud,” Soules said. “Since I've been a student ambassador before I feel like I'll be good at this. This will be a different perspective, to be playing soccer, a different experience. I really love soccer, so it should be a lot of fun.”

Both athletes have had the opportunity to meet with their coaches and some of the other athletes from their district that will be playing with them, but did not have the opportunity to get together as a team before starting on their journey.

But neither one believes this will be a hindrance.

“When we get there we have three days to practice,” Soules said. “Then we have a bunch of games and there is a big tournament the last two days. I think it will be pretty good competition. I can't wait to see how good kids from other countries are.”

The games themselves are set up like a mini-Olympics with opening and closing ceremonies and medals awarded for the top performing teams from each country. And while the opportunity to bring home a medal is certainly on both their minds, the real focus is on something bigger.

“This is a great chance to get better,” Soules said. “I'd like to bring a medal back, but really I just want to work on my mechanics and play well and get to be better. I think getting to play against teams from all over the world is going to be a big help while I'm there.”

With 10 days in Holland, the boys will have the chance to get out and see some of the country, a prospect that excites both of them.

“There are a lot of things planned for us,” Handley said. “We are going to get to go to a factory where they make wooden shoes and we are going to get to go see Anne Frank's house too. It should all be really cool.”

Soules added that he has been told that Holland is an incredibly beautiful country and he is looking forward to the chance to see all the scenic beauty such as the canals and architecture the city has to offer.

One of the cornerstones upon which People to People has been built is the opportunity for kids to explore and learn from and about each other's worlds. While there may be language barriers to overcome, in many ways athletics are a universal language with the same rules the world over.

And this is perhaps the one aspect of the experience that both Handley and Soules are most eagerly anticipating.

“We're going to get to meet so many new people,” Handley said. “I think that is really exciting. We're going to get to meet people from all over the world and make new friends, I think that'll be the best part.”