Bukayo Saka Inspires as Former Coaches Reunite

Bukayo Saka's former coaches have reunited to celebrate their players' success as England kicks off their World Cup campaign.

What happened?

The reunion included Nigel James, Reece James' dad and qualified coach, Colin Nixon, Saka's first grassroots coach at Greenford Celtic, and Paul Hall, Eze's youth coach at QPR. They joined forces to reflect on the key role grassroots coaches play in shaping stars of the future. Colin Nixon coached Bukayo Saka at Greenford Celtic and remembers him as an incredibly talented player with a positive and hard-working approach to the game.

Why it matters for Bukayo Saka

Nixon believes that coaches play a crucial role in helping young players develop the confidence to believe in themselves and unlock their full potential. Bukayo Saka's success is a testament to the impact of grassroots coaching, with Nixon saying he's really proud of the person and player Saka is.

What comes next?

The Chase football coaching programme is helping to create more inspirational coaches like Samuel, Nigel, Colin, and Paul in communities across the UK. Since launching, the programme has helped fund 7,000 grassroots and professional coaching qualifications, with 4,500 coaches already completing their qualifications as of the programme's launch. Deborah Keay, Chief Marketing Officer at Chase, said that behind every player representing their country is a coach who helped unlock their potential. The programme provides funded access to introductory coaching qualifications and professional coaching bursaries for people where cost is a barrier across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. Aspiring coach Samuel Park benefited from the programme and said that listening to the coaches behind some of England's biggest stars has been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Park's ambition is to continue coaching and help more young people in his community fulfill their potential. Bukayo Saka's success story is an inspiration to many, and his former coaches are proud of the person and player he has become. The World Cup campaign is an exciting time for England, and Bukayo Saka is expected to play a key role in the team's success. With the help of programmes like the Chase football coaching programme, more young players like Saka can develop their skills and achieve their dreams. The programme's impact is already being felt, with 7,000 coaching qualifications funded and 4,500 coaches completing their qualifications. As the World Cup campaign heats up, Bukayo Saka and his teammates will be looking to make their country proud. The support of their former coaches and the Chase football coaching programme will be crucial in their journey to success.