So the 18-year-old has found a way to get the most out of both.
He has secured a football scholarship to Brown University in the American state of Rhode Island.
It had been a long-term goal for Deeley, who returned south to play for Southern United in last summer's national football premiership.
An Ivy League school, Brown rates as one of the world's top academic universities, while also playing in the top flight of college sport.
That mix was the selling point for Deeley, who also prides himself on achieving highly academically.
"I think the point of difference for me was that the States gives you a sort of professional environment to play football in, and to get a degree at the same time; it gives you that security.
"It's an amazing opportunity to get an education over there and experience a different culture.''
The recruitment process began for Deeley after he made the New Zealand under-17 side.
He played in the age-group's World Cup qualifiers in Tahiti, as well as the World Cup itself in India.
That enabled him to prove he could play at the top level.
After sending highlights, game footage and academic records away, he began receiving interest.
He has been in talks with several other Ivy League schools such as Yale, Columbia and Princeton.
However, Brown's diverse education options, as well as the way it balances sport and academics, made it stand out.
He is planning to study business management and entrepreneurship, but is also looking into other options such as political science and international relations.
Deeley will leave in late July or early August and his season will start in late August.
Before then he is training to get into top physical shape, while also working in a coaching capacity for Football South and Playball.
He is not playing at the moment, but will probably link with a team before he leaves once the South Island league begins.
Originally from the United Kingdom, Deeley moved to Timaru with his family when he was 8.
He spent his final two years of school at Auckland Grammar School.
The opportunity to get game time for Southern lured him home and he was glad he made the move.
"Playing men's football and travelling to games, playing the best of what New Zealand's got to offer was another way of progressing my football.
"I learned a lot off the pitch as well.''
He hoped to have as much success as possible with Brown, while playing in Major League Soccer in the US remained a long-term goal.
- Markus Fjortoft has signed with Scottish premier league club Hamilton Academical.
The Norwegian was a strong presence in Southern United's defensive line during the most recent national premiership. He has signed a one-year deal.
