WorldRemit and Arsenal ‘Future Stars’ coaching programme

A panel of judges from Arsenal and its official online money transfer partner, WorldRemit, have selected eight coaches as finalists for their Future Stars coaching program.

The eight finalists will now compete in a public for the chance to attend a personalized training program with Arsenal Football Development coaches in London – sponsored by WorldRemit.

The Future Stars programme was developed by WorldRemit and Arsenal to celebrate the positive impact that grassroots youth football coaches have on their communities, helping the children they train to develop life skills both on and off the pitch.

The second Future Stars programme received over 1,400 online applications this year from across Africa and the Americas and a panel of judges selected 20 semi-finalists to receive Arsenal shirts for their youth team as recognition of their hard work within their communities.

The judging panel then narrowed these 20 semi-finalists down to eight finalist coaches – four male and four female.

Male Future Stars finalists

• Bakit Isaac Agogo from Gulu, Uganda
• Feisal Abdi Hassan from Nairobi, Kenya
• Luis Alejandro Castañeda Vargas from Bogotá, Colombia
• Samuel Taylor from Accra, Ghana

Female Future Stars finalists

• Beldine Lilian Achieng Odemba from Nairobi, Kenya
• Chinasa Ukandu from Lagos State, Nigeria
• Joan Nabisenke from Kampala, Uganda
• Vivian Johana Pirateque Garzón from Bogotá, Colombia

Two winners – one male and one female – will be chosen by a public vote to fly to London for a personalized training program with Arsenal Football Development coaches.

Voting is now open on www.futurestars.worldremit.com until 23:59 EAT on 11^th November.

“Our business is all about making it easier for our customers to send money home to support their communities. Together with Arsenal, we set up the Future Stars program to recognize football coaches within these communities who are dedicated to supporting and lifting up others.” Andrew Stewart, Managing Director Middle East & Africa at WorldRemit

Applications to the Future Stars programme were judged on the following criteria:

• The commitment of the coach to improving the lives of their community
• The impact the coach has had on young people within their community
• The strength of the coach’s proposal to pass on their training on their return home if they win the programme

Male Future Stars finalists

Bakit Isaac Agogo from Gulu, Uganda

Bakit oaches at Watato Sports Academy in Gulu and has worked with children whose families were affected by the insurgency in Northern Uganda.

Feisal Abdi Hassan from Nairobi, Kenya

He has taught both boys and girls teams and believes that football is a powerful tool to reduce crime among young people and keep them motivated.

Luis Alejandro Castañeda Vargas from Bogotá, Colombia

Luis helps young people develop their mobility and independence.

Samuel Taylor from near Accra, Ghana

Samuel is passionate football player himself, he decided to start coaching to bring together children and coaches from neighboring villages to enjoy football together.

Female Future Stars finalists

Beldine Lilian Achieng Odemba from Nairobi, Kenya

A coach for Kariobangi Sharks boys teams and the Kariobangi Sports girls team, Beldine gets the greatest satisfaction from teaching life skills to young people through football.

Chinasa Ukandu from Lagos State, Nigeria

Chinasa and her friends provide young people with an opportunity to develop football and life skills at Help The Talent Academy, having completing phase three of the Premier Skills Coach Educators Course (an initiative by the English Premier League and British Council) in 2015.

Joan Nabisenke from near Kampala, Uganda

Joan coaches girls aged six to fifteen living in the rural areas outside Kampala.

Vivian Johana Pirateque Garzón from Bogotá, Colombia

Vivian has been a football coach at the Iguaran F.C. Academy in Bogotá for six years and her team of boys have made it to the top four positions in the Bogota League Championship three times.

Arsenal Football Club has thrived on a pioneering and innovative spirit that has existed throughout its 133 years in existence.