Jack Bates

Bexley football coach front Adidas advertising campaign

by Robin Cottle, Reporter Thursday, May 10, 2012
2:48 PM

A teenage football coach from Bexley has been chosen to front an advertising campaign for Adidas during the Olympics.

A teenage football coach has been chosen to front an advertising campaign for Adidas during the Olympics.

Jack Bates is the borough’s representative for Take the Stage, which involves one youngster from each of the 32 London boroughs.

Jack, who has coached at his former school, Bexley Grammar in Danson Lane, Welling, was approached by an Adidas representative to appear in the advert.

The 19-year-old said: “It was a bit of a whirlwind when it happened to be honest.

“Apparently Adidas has heard about my coaching but I didn’t really know what it was because we were kept in the dark.”

Career

Jack admitted coaching is something he would consider as a career but he is trying to keep his options open.

The Loughborough University student said: “I’ve been involved in coaching for a long time and it’s something I’ve always been passionate about.

“I’m studying management at the moment because I don’t want to put all my eggs in one basket but coaching football is definitely something I’d like to stay involved in.

“I was one of the youngest people running sessions at my old company, Pro Futures, and I also taught primary school-aged kids at Bexley Grammar.”

Posters with Jack’s face on them can now be seen around the borough.

He added: “I’ve seen a couple of the posters. It’s been absolutely mad and I’ve been getting messages and Facebook friend requests from people who I’ve never even met!”

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