Hello,
I often get asked, why did you start Fisher Talent Group, and why are you beginning in Eswatini?
I was in the United States Peace Corps here between 2010-13. I coached a men's high school team for two years and managed a professional youth academy in my third.
The team pictured (coached between 2010-12) is our "Why." Some of the best youth players I know are here. In two years, Mswati II Methodist High School won back-to-back conference championships, one regional title, and went to a national semi-final for the first time in school history. They are from the beautiful rural community of Emvembili (where I lived) near Piggs Peak, Eswatini. Fisher Talent Group scouts rural Africa because of them. We believe in "Player Discovery," "Overlooked and marginalized communities," and strive to change football because of them. They represent "Where the talent is," "FTG sees you," and all slogans. These kids (now men) were highly talented and are our "Why."
I have seen marginalized talent firsthand. Most importantly, I have witnessed the hardships that exist when it comes to "surfacing" so others can notice your talent. Because of my experience, I developed Fisher Talent Group's core belief that people should be able to use their skills to advance their lives. So, we forge this change by discovering and promoting marginalized youth football players in rural Africa.
Thank you, as always, for reading. I end with it each week because I mean it: we cannot change the world independently, but we will together.
Until next time,
Live forever,
Rob Fisher
Executive Director and Head of Scouting