SoccerBible + Rio's First Find
SoccerBible caught up and spoke with Rio Ferdinand as he went in search of his First Find, for Nike's 'The Chance' mission to unearth the planet's best unsigned footballing talent. And it was a great surprise for a group of young footballers, as the Manchester United and England defender turned up unannounced at their game to hand out a ticket...
It was a typical drizzly English afternoon as two Manchester based teams took to the field for a game of football. Knowing the camera's were there, and hyped with their new Nike football boots everyone was keen to impress, but little did they realise that for one individual was about to be given the opportunity of a lifetime.
SoccerBible was pitch side and in on the secret, and we watched on to see the players faces turn from stunned to realisation as Rio Ferdinand walked onto the pitch at half-time. In a state of shock and awe, the players listened as Rio explained the opportunity that lay ahead, and then it was back to the game with the ante upped!
Rio looked on intensely from the sidelines throughout the second half studying every players performance, and was in discussions with the team's respective coaches. And it was after coming to his conclusion and handing Joe Bunney - a young U18 striker - his ticket to the UK Finals, that SoccerBible chatted to get Rio's reaction.
For 'The Chance' Rio is looking forward to unearthing talented individuals over the coming months: I remember how desperate I was to be a professional footballer when I was a teenager, and we re looking for not only the most talented but also the most hungry young players in the game. It s always exciting to see fresh talent break through, so I can t wait to be a part of making that happen.
Selected finalists will congregate in Manchester for 2 days of rigorous assessment which will see the players work under elite-level coaches, rub shoulders with Barclays Premier League Stars and enjoy the facilities and training analysis usually reserved for top flight players.
15 players from each final will be invited to the Super Final, a match under the watchful eye of the Nike coaches and Rio Ferdinand. A momentous occasion in the young lives of all 15 athletes, the players will be competing for 3 places in the global finals.
Before departing for Barcelona, however, the UK winners will spend a week Rio s on Boot Camp where they will not only enjoy one on one sessions with Manchester United athletes and coaches, but also experience the off-pitch lifestyle of a Premier League star.
From the USA to Ghana, China to Peru, the global search is on. Think you have what it takes? Sign up http://go.nike.com/The_Chance
