THE EASTSIDE STORY: FROM PASSION TO PURPOSE
Eastside Future Sports was founded by Charles Vuong and Jason Odei, two friends whose shared love for basketball began during their time at secondary school. Growing up in a deprived community where access to high-quality basketball training was limited, they quickly realised that progress would only come through self-discipline, consistency and a deep commitment to the sport.
While most students were still asleep, Charles and Jason were in the sports hall with basketballs in hand, training on their own before the school day began. From Year 9 onwards, they committed to waking up at 6:30am to train before school most mornings. What started as a necessity soon became a habit, and that dedication laid the foundation for everything that followed.
After leaving Eastbury, their journey took them to South London, where they played in the EABL under the guidance of Steve Bucknall. Following sixth form, their paths began to diverge, with each continuing to push their basketball careers forward while gaining valuable experience both on and off the court.
Those early mornings, the lack of opportunity, and the lessons learned along the way shaped a shared belief: young people shouldn’t have to navigate sport alone to progress. Eastside Future Sports was created to provide the structure, access and support that Charles and Jason once had to create for themselves — turning a shared passion into a purpose rooted in community.
Coach CHARLES
Charles went on to study at Brunel University, where his passion for basketball continued to develop alongside his academic journey. During this time, he completed a work placement in Catalonia, Spain, where he played semi-professional basketball. Competing at a high level gave him valuable experience, but also highlighted the physical and mental demands of the game.
Recognising the need for a new direction, Charles transitioned into teaching and coaching, where he found a strong sense of purpose. He began focusing his energy on supporting and developing young athletes, applying the lessons he had learned as a player to help others progress.
Charles is currently based in Doha, Qatar, where he coaches at Evo Sports Qatar, leading the development side of the basketball academy. He also serves as Talent Director for Fil-Euro, an organisation dedicated to creating opportunities for Filipino-heritage athletes across Europe. His work has been recognised through several honours, including Basketball England’s London Teacher of the Year (2022), Aspire London Regional Coach, England Under-14 Head Coach, and Player Development Coach of the Year in 2024.
Driven by a genuine commitment to youth development, Charles continues to build pathways for young players and coaches, using his experience to inspire the next generation both on and off the court.
coach Jason
Jason went on to study at Loughborough University, one of the UK’s leading sports institutions, where he played for both Loughborough University and the Leicester Riders, continuing to develop at an elite level. During this time, he gained valuable experience in high-performance environments that shaped his understanding of the game both as a player and a leader.
After graduating, Jason had opportunities to play professionally in Germany but chose to remain in the UK, continuing his career semi-professionally in East London. Staying close to home allowed him to remain connected to the community that had shaped him and reinforced his desire to give back through the sport.
Jason is now a full-time teacher at Barking Abbey School and coaches with Newham Youngbloods, where he works closely with young people both in education and on the court. Alongside Coach Charles, he co-founded Eastside Future Sports with a shared vision to develop the sport locally and create meaningful opportunities for young people in East London. Drawing on their combined experiences as players, educators and coaches, Jason remains committed to providing high-quality coaching, positive environments and clear pathways for the next generation.
Eastside Future Sport was created from the challenges Charles and Jason experienced growing up, where access to quality basketball training was limited. What began as a shared passion became a commitment to create better opportunities for young people who love the game. Eastside was built as more than just a coaching platform. It exists to develop players, inspire a genuine love for sport, create clear pathways for young people and strengthen the community, while removing barriers that often limit access to quality training.
