The Chance - Rio Ferdinand's First Find
Nike's mission to unearth the planet's best unsigned footballing talent is now in full-swing. Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand will lead the UK scouting team, and has already selected his own ''First Find''. Joe Bunney - a young U18 striker - impressed Ferdinand during his first scouring mission on the outskirts of Manchester and will now compete in the UK finals.
As Rio said: "I d been working with Nike on The Chance and so had been asked to pick out the first UK finalist. Joe instantly caught my eye, he s a mobile and technically proficient player but it was his attitude that impressed me as much as anything. I ve no doubt he s got a lot of potential and I m sure he can go far in The Chance"
Of the 100 players who are chosen for the UK Finals, 3 will progress to the global finals in Barcelona where 16 unsigned athletes will be selected to form an elite squad that will travel the globe, training with the world s best professional teams and playing against the most prestigious academy sides. 
The 99 players joining Rio s pick in the UK finals will be chosen by a nationwide network of scouts with the help of The Chance Facebook app. This will allow teams to enrol themselves on a shortlist and those that generate the most Facebook activity will receive a visit from a customised 4x4 that Nike will be using as a mobile scouting unit.
Rio is looking forward to unearthing talented individuals over the coming months: I remember how desperate I was to be a professional football 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. 
The 100 finalists will congregate in Manchester for 2 days of rigorous assessment which will see the players will 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
