Dedicated leadership team and staff, that put youth first.

Leadership Team & Board of Directors

Growing team that aims to deliver authentic and transparent leadership that works hand-in-hand with the local partners and communities it serves.

International Leadership Team

GEORGE MAGUIRE, Co-Founder
Director of Soccer & Programs

ADRIAN BRADBURY, Co-Founder
Director of Development & Partnerships

LIAM WHITE
Operations & Fundraising Coordinator

RORY MURPHY
Head of Academy Coaching

Board of Directors

TOM MURPHY, Director

SOPHIE MURPHY, Director

HARP ATHWAL, Director

ALANNA RONDI, Director

GEORGE MAGUIRE, Director

ADRIAN BRADBURY, Director

Staff in Malawi

Ascent Soccer’s dedicated team of local and global staff in Malawi delivers our growing academy and grassroots soccer programs.

Our Co-Founders

GEORGE MAGUIRE, Co-Founder & Director of Soccer & Programs

A former English Premier League academy player, George has lived in Malawi since 2008 and founded Ascent Soccer, formerly Chigoli, in 2014. He previously managed sponsorship for Africa Invest’s inaugural Malawi National Primary School Football & Netball event and served as Managing Director of Play Football Malawi.

ADRIAN BRADBURY, Co-Founder & Director of Development & Partnerships

Adrian started his journey in East Africa in 2005 as the founder of Athletes for Africa & GuluWalk, a global advocacy initiative to end the civil war in Uganda. He launched Football for Good in 2013 as Uganda’s only full-time residential youth soccer academy, and has 12+ years experience in football, global development, advocacy, media, marketing & fundraising.

Malawi Staff

GEORGE MAGUIRE, Director of Soccer & Programs

THOM MKOLONGO, Operations Director & Head Coach

MATTHEW HARRIS, Head of Academics & Character

ELLINA MUMBA, Girls Program Coordinator

FANNY PHIRI, Foundation, Lead Teacher

ELLEN MWENDA, Teacher

THERESA PHIRI, Function Coordinator

THOKO M’BAWA, Administrator

Malawi Interns

CHARLOTTE CHIZALEMA, Teaching Intern

CHARITY PHIRI, Sports Science Intern

HASSAN SUMAYILA, Coaching Intern

MELICY LICKSON, Female Program Intern

BRIAN KAMENYA, Goalkeeper Coach Intern

SOCCER | SCHOLARSHIP | PEOPLE | PLANET