''Football is a game, played in the mind'' - Johan Cryuff
ABOUT US
MEET THE FOUNDERS
OUR STORY
InnerZone: A Journey of Shared Purpose
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The story of InnerZone began in Malawi, where founders George Maguire and Paul Lennon met over a decade ago. Their shared passion for football and youth development led them to organize charity matches, coaching sessions, and football tours, providing young Malawian players with essential equipment and opportunities. This grassroots work forged a deep bond between them.
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George went on to launch his own academy, Chigoli (meaning "goal" in the local language), which focused on holistic player development. The academy's philosophy was simple: build better people to build better players. Over the next decade, this initiative grew into Ascent Soccer, an award-winning NGO that has produced professional male and female players now competing across Europe and the U.S.
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Meanwhile, Paul continued to coach youth teams while working in international education. His own unique coaching journey culminated in him co-founding AFC Warszawa, an 11-a-side team of diverse international players that made a memorable debut in the Polish football pyramid.
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Years later, George and Paul reconnected in the UK. Though their individual paths had been different, their shared purpose remained the same: to use football as a powerful tool for growth and empowerment. InnerZone is the result of that reunion, combining over 15 years of their collective experience in coaching, leadership, and community-building.
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At its core, InnerZone is about more than just developing better footballers—it's about helping young athletes find their potential and become better people, both on and off the pitch.