May 22 – Online bank Chase and the four British ‘home’ nations have teamed up to support aspiring coaches from low-income backgrounds by funding 2,900 introductory qualifications and 85 professional coaching bursaries across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.
The news marks the first impact from Chase after they announced multi-year partnerships with England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales in February 2024, to become the Official Banking Partner of all four Men’s and Women’s, Youth and Para national teams.
A key theme of the partnerships was to improve access to resources, tools, and facilities that could support individuals in under-resourced communities, as new research shows that the cost of qualifications and a fear of not being accepted are the biggest barriers to coaching for individuals from low-income backgrounds.
Deborah Keay, UK Chief Marketing Officer at Chase, said: “We’re committed to making a difference in the communities that we serve, and research has demonstrated that participating in football coaching can have a transformative impact on individuals, from improving key life skills to boosting employability.
“We’re proud to work with the Home Nation Football Associations to help remove key barriers to entry for people from low-income backgrounds through the Chase football coaching programme by giving them access to the right resources they need to succeed, making the game more accessible and representative throughout the UK.”
Rob Page, Wales Men’s Head Coach, said: “It’s great to see the partnership between Chase and the FAW help fund coaching qualifications and bursaries for people from low-income backgrounds in Wales. Finance should never be a barrier for those looking to pursue a career that they are passionate about, and the resources on offer will allow people from across the country to develop their skills and take their careers to the next level.”
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1735256946labto1735256946ofdlr1735256946owedi1735256946sni@g1735256946niwe.1735256946yrrah1735256946