The InnerZone Story, From Malawi to Mindset

The InnerZone story begins in Malawi, where founders George Maguire and Paul Lennon met over a decade ago. It was here, within a diverse group of international expats, that a simple idea to give young students a chance to play men’s football led to the creation of Bobs FC. The team became a melting pot of international teachers, local Malawian players, and aspiring student footballers, all united by their shared love for the game.

Paul in action for BOBS in 2010

This grassroots team forged a strong bond between George and Paul, fueling their shared commitment to youth development. They became key figures in local charity matches, providing boots, kits, and coaching sessions while building strong connections between sport and social impact.

From these efforts, George launched his own academy, Chigoli (meaning "goal" in the local language), which focused on holistic player development attracting the interest of CNN's 'Inside Africa' programme which featured Chigoli back in 2017. The philosophy was simple: building better players by building better people. Over the next decade, Chigoli grew into Ascent Soccer, an award-winning NGO that has produced 6 sernior internationals, 30+ youth internationals and numerous professional male and female players now competing in Europe, Africa and the U.S.

George leading a session in the early days of Chigoli Academy

Meanwhile, Paul pursued a career in international education, coaching youth teams in Italy, Russia, Senegal, and Poland. His work always centered on culture, identity, and character. His coaching journey culminated in him co-founding AFC Warszawa, an 11-a-side team that made a memorable debut in the Polish football pyramid. Paul also delivered a captivating TED Talk on travel broadening the mind.

Years later, George and Paul reconnected in the UK. Though their individual paths had been different, their shared purpose remained: to use football as a powerful tool for growth and empowerment. InnerZone is the culmination of their 15-year journey, a company founded to empower young athletes by focusing on their potential as individuals and teammates, on and off the pitch.