Ascent Academy merges with Uganda’s Academy

Ascent Soccer Academy has taken a bold step after merging with Uganda’s Football For Good (FFG) Academy to form Ascent Soccer East Africa.

According to Uganda’s publication kawowo.com, all academy programs in both Malawi and Uganda will move on alongside a new logo, brand and website for what will be the region’s top social impact soccer program, Ascent Soccer East Africa.

Following the merge, Adrian Bradbury –Director of FFG will now become the Co-founder of Ascent Soccer East Africa and the Executive Director of Development and Partnership while George Maguire-director Ascent will also be Co-founder and Executive Director of Soccer and Programs.

“We aim to be sensitive during this challenging time, while also making certain that we are putting our East and African staff and students-athletes first,” Bradbury was quoted as saying.

“This brand new Ascent Soccer believes in a deep investment in East Africa’s, and one that nurtured girls and inspires talented girls and boys to be brave, to lead by example and to believe in their own ability to transform themselves, their communities and the world.”

The plans for the merge had been in the works for close to a year.

Ascent Malawi, Operations Director, Thom Mkolongo confirmed the merge saying it will help to develop talent.

“The student-athletes between the Malawi and Uganda will be able to exchange visits and it will also be the same with the technical staff. The main is to develop the game in Africa,” Mkolongo said.

Ascent Soccer Malawi has already seen two players namely Zobran Elias (boy) and Lughano Nyondo (girl) secured scholarships America’s finest academic institutions. The Malawi academy has assessed over 25,000 youth players from all over Malawi and selected Academy of 65 built around three male squads and one female.

The new Ascent Soccer East Africa will bring greater stability, opportunity and innovation to youth soccer in Malawi, Uganda and beyond.