FAB FOOTBALL ACADEMY

What FAB FOOTBALL ACADEMY does

FAB Football Academy is a private, founder-operated football coaching institution established in 2009 by Nas Bashir, a UEFA Pro Licence Coach, and headquartered at the Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre in Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom. The academy delivers professional football coaching programmes spanning the full youth-to-adult age range (U5 through U21), structured as a pipeline from introductory holiday camps and free trial sessions, into evening Junior Academy sessions (U6-U16, 10-week blocks), into full-time scholarship programmes (U17-U18, two-year BTEC-accredited courses), and onward to FAB Academy 21 (18-21, university-degree pathway). Parallel offerings include a Women's Football Scholarship (launched 2023), an International & Residential Academy Scholarship for overseas and gap-year students aged 15-19 with full-board accommodation, a Year 14 third-year development programme, 1-on-1 personal coaching, and a one-day 'Day in the Life of a Pro' experience priced at £75. Education is delivered through partnerships with Altwood Church of England School, Claires Court School, and Buckinghamshire New University, with qualifications including BTEC Level 3 Extended National Diploma in Sport, Level 2 certificates in Strength & Conditioning, and university degrees.

The business operates on a hybrid revenue model: subscription/recurring revenue from multi-week academy blocks and full-time scholarships (including 100% scholarships awarded to the most talented players), and one-time payments for holiday camps, 1-on-1 sessions, and the Day in the Life experience. Pricing is not publicly disclosed except for the £75 Day in the Life product. All programmes are delivered at the Bisham Abbey site, which sits on a £7 million-invested facility featuring a 3G pitch and a Desso grass pitch to Wembley Stadium quality. Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer via the academy website (SquareSpace and Google Forms booking), supported by social media marketing (Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, X) and word-of-mouth driven by publicised success stories. Distribution is entirely domestic (UK) with select international student recruitment, and no third-party resellers are used.

FAB Academy has documented 24 professional contracts signed by graduates over 14 years, with notable alumni including Matty Cash (Poland/Aston Villa, World Cup debutant), and signings into Chelsea, Stoke City, Crystal Palace, Leyton Orient, Birmingham City, Bradford City, Bolton Wanderers, and Billericay Town. The academy fields multiple competitive youth and senior teams that won league and cup titles in the 2024/2025 season. The company is privately held with no disclosed external funding and operates with approximately 11 employees.

Name

FAB FOOTBALL ACADEMY

Legal name

FAB Football Academy

Website

https://fabacademy.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

FAB Football Academy is a private UK football coaching institution based at Bisham Abbey, delivering age-grouped programmes from junior academy through full-time scholarships for boys and girls aged 5 to 21. The academy combines professional coaching with BTEC and university-degree pathways and has produced 24 professional contract signings in 14 years.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Football Coaching and Education

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Sports Boarding Schools & Residential Academies (MPAKAJAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Interscholastic Athletics (Varsity/JV Teams) (EDAJAJAA), College Recruiting & Scholarship Advisory / Athlete Placement (HSADAEAL)

Keywords

• Youth football coaching
• Football scholarship programme
• Football academy training
• Football holiday camps
• Player development coaching

Headquarters

HQ city

Bisham, Marlow

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Holiday Football Camps: Open to players of all abilities aged U5–U16, run during UK school holidays. Boys and girls can book sessions via SquareSpace. Also includes a dedicated Girls Holiday Camp and Multi-Skills Camp.
2. 1-on-1 Personal Football Coaching: Tailored personal coaching sessions for boys and girls aged 4–16. Sessions cover technique, speed, agility, dribbling, goalkeeper drills, and more. Booked via SquareSpace, limited availability.
3. Junior Academy Weekly Coaching: Weekly evening coaching sessions run in 10-week blocks for boys and girls aged 5–15. Sessions cover development and elite tiers. Players receive verbal feedback and written assessments. Goalkeeper coaching is offered alongside outfield sessions. Players may be invited to continue for further 10-week phases.
4. Full-Time Scholarship Programme (Boys): Two-year full-time course for Year 11 school leavers (U17-U18), Monday-Friday 09:00-16:30. Includes 100% scholarships for the most talented players. Also offers gap year and shorter courses for international students. Includes BTEC Level 3 Extended National Diploma in Sport (equivalent to 3 A-levels) delivered by Altwood Church of England School.
5. Women's Full-Time Football Scholarship: Full-time scholarship for female footballers aged 16-18. Includes BTEC Level 3 Extended National Diploma in Sport (equivalent to 3 A-levels) delivered in conjunction with Altwood Church of England School or Claires Court 6th Form. English Language courses available for overseas players. Scholarships cover tuition and more for eligible players.
6. FAB Academy 21 (18-21 years): Full-time elite course for 18-21 year olds combining university degree (via Buckinghamshire New University partnership) with professional football training and coaching experience. Players can earn a recognised university degree while pursuing professional football ambitions.
7. Year 14 Third-Year Development Programme: An additional year of development for scholarship players who can benefit from further training. Includes Level 2 qualifications in Strength & Conditioning, Multi-Skills Development in Sport, and Activity Leadership. Players act as role models to younger scholarship students.
8. Day in the Life of a Pro Experience: One-day immersive experience at Bisham Abbey including professional coaching session, gym session, and lunch. Priced at £75 per player. Scouts from professional clubs attend these events, providing exposure for participants.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

FAB Football Academy is a private football coaching institution that delivers professional football coaching and education to boys and girls aged 5-21. Its core products are full-time scholarship programmes combining daily football training with BTEC Level 3 and university degree qualifications, supplemented by weekly evening junior academy coaching, school-holiday football camps, 1-on-1 personal coaching sessions, and a one-day "Day in the Life of a Pro" experience. All programmes are delivered at the Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre near Marlow, Buckinghamshire, using UEFA-qualified coaches (Levels 2-5) led by founder and UEFA Pro Licence coach Nas Bashir.

Product overview

FAB Football Academy operates as a multi-level football education institution offering a portfolio of programmes spanning youth development to elite preparation. The core offering consists of full-time scholarship programmes for ages 16-21 (FAB Academy Scholarship, FAB Academy 21, Women's Football Scholarship, International & Residential Academy) supplemented by part-time evening coaching (Junior Football Academy, Girls Junior Football Academy) and short-term offerings (Holiday Camps, 1 on 1 Coaching, Day in the Life of a Pro experience). The Year 14 Programme serves as an advanced add-on module for selected scholarship players. All programmes are delivered at Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre and include educational components through partnerships with Claires Court, Altwood Church of England School, and Buckinghamshire New University.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• FAB Academy Scholarship Programme (Year 12-13) Full-time two-year scholarship programme for boys aged 16-18 (U17-U18), offering professional football coaching Monday-Friday 09:00-16:30 alongside BTEC Level 3 Extended National Diploma in Sport education. Provides a second-chance pathway to professional contracts for players released from professional academies or who develop late. 100% scholarships are available to the most talented players.
• FAB Academy 21 Full-time elite football course for ages 18-21, combining university degree pursuit (in partnership with Buckinghamshire New University) with professional football coaching and hands-on coaching experience. Features Pro and A Licenced coaches, performance gym access, and professional showcase games.
• International & Residential Academy Scholarship Residential scholarship programme for ages 15-19, featuring full-board accommodation at Bisham Abbey (en-suite rooms, on-site house parent, 7 days per week), professional daily coaching by UEFA Pro Licence coaches, sports therapy, gym access, match analysis, and showcase games against professional clubs. Designed for international students and gap-year students; course lengths vary from 2-year to 6-month and gap-year options depending on VISA status.
• Women's Football Scholarship Full-time elite scholarship programme exclusively for female footballers aged 16-18, offering professional coaching, cutting-edge facilities, BTEC Level 3 Extended National Diploma in Sport education (in partnership with Altwood Church of England School or Claires Court 6th Form), sports psychology, nutrition support, and pathways to professional careers in women's football.
• Junior Football Academy Weekly evening coaching sessions for boys and girls aged 5-15 (U6-U16), held Monday-Friday at Bisham Abbey. Sessions include outfield and goalkeeper coaching, run in 10-week phases with written assessments. Targets above-average players seeking additional professional coaching alongside grassroots club football. Free trial sessions are available.
• Girls Junior Football Academy Thursday night coaching sessions for girls aged 7-16 (U7-U16) at the Bisham Abbey 3G Astro surface. Provides professional coaching for above-average female players, with courses run in 10-week phases led by FA-qualified coaches.
• Year 14 Third-Year Development Programme Additional year of development for selected scholarship players who can benefit from further training. Includes Level 2 Certificate in Strength & Conditioning, Level 2 Award in Multi-Skills Development in Sport, and Level 2 NVQ in Activity Leadership, supported by the UK Sports Institute. Players act as role models to younger scholarship students.
• Holiday Football Camps Football courses run during school holidays for players aged 5-14 (U5-U14) of all abilities. Includes goalkeeper coaching by a Level 2 Goalkeeper coach, professional coaching staff, and potential invitation to join 10-week academy courses. Summer camps run multiple weeks at Bisham Abbey.
• 1-on-1 Personal Football Coaching Personalised professional coaching sessions for boys and girls aged 4-16. Sessions available at Bisham Abbey NSC, local playing fields, or at the customer's location. Covers technique, flexibility, speed, agility, power, evasion, dribbling, passing, receiving, goalkeeper drills, and fitness.
• Day in the Life of a Pro One-day immersive experience at Bisham Abbey including a professional coaching session, gym session, and lunch. Priced at £75 per player. Scouts from professional clubs including QPR, Fulham, Watford, Oxford United, Crystal Palace, Reading FC, AFC Wimbledon, and Chelsea attend these events, providing exposure for participants.

Quantifiable outcome

• 24 professional contracts signed in 14 years (24 in newer sources) / 23 in 13 years (FAB Academy 21 page)
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Claires Court SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFAB Academy partners with Claires Court School for academic delivery. Talented players aged 16-18 can combine top-level football coaching at FAB with first-class education at Claires Court 6th Form. Claires Court offers a bespoke football schedule tailored around academic studies with players enjoying an exclusive discount. Players are transported between Claires Court and Bisham Abbey. This partnership is available for UK citizens/British passport holders only.
• Altwood Church of England SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFAB Academy's scholarship programme is delivered in conjunction with Altwood Church of England School. Scholars spend a minimum of two days per week in the classroom fulfilling educational requirements. The course offered is BTEC Level 3 Extended National Diploma in Sport (equivalent to 3 A-levels). FAB follows and adheres to policies set by the education provider. Also offers English Language courses for overseas players.
• Buckinghamshire New UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFAB Academy 21 (18-21 years) is delivered in partnership with Buckinghamshire New University. Students can work towards a recognised university degree while pursuing elite football training and hands-on coaching experience. This partnership enables players to combine academic achievement with professional football development, preparing them for careers both on and off the pitch.
• UK Sports InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFAB Academy is supported by the UK Sports Institute in the delivery of the Strength and Conditioning qualification in the Elite gym at Bisham Abbey. The UK Sports Institute supports the Year 14 third-year programme, providing expertise and credibility to the coaching and conditioning curriculum. Various other professionals from clubs around the country also support delivery of other courses.
• 1st4SportminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFAB Academy's Year 14 third-year programme qualifications (Level 2 Certificate in Strength & Conditioning, Level 2 Award in Multi-Skills Development in Sport, Level 2 NVQ in Activity Leadership) are awarded by 1st4Sport and can be found on the 1st4Sport website. These are nationally recognised qualifications.
• Professional Football Club Scouts (QPR, Fulham, Watford, Oxford United, Crystal Palace, Reading FC, AFC Wimbledon, Chelsea)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorScouts from QPR, Fulham, Watford, Oxford United, Crystal Palace, Reading FC, AFC Wimbledon, and Chelsea attend FAB Academy's Day in the Life of a Pro events and showcase games. This provides a pipeline for talent identification and potential professional contract offers for FAB scholars.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Liverpool FC International Academy: Runs international football development programmes and residential courses for players worldwide. Compares to FAB's International & Residential Academy in target audience and delivery format, though backed by a top-flight brand.
• Manchester City Football Schools: City Football Group's global soccer schools deliver residential courses, holiday camps, and coaching similar to FAB's slate. Operates at vastly larger scale and brand reach but addresses overlapping segments.
• Reading FC Academy: Professional club academy whose scouts attend FAB's Day in the Life of a Pro events. Similar dual role—direct competitor for youth talent and feeder destination for FAB scholars placed at professional clubs.
• Stoke City FC Academy: Professional club academy that has signed FAB graduates (Ryan Hill). Comparable as the destination professional-club system that FAB scholars feed into, and as a competing talent ID channel.
• Watford FC Academy: Professional club academy whose scouts attend FAB showcase events. Represents the professional-academy category that FAB positions against as a 'second chance' pathway for released or late-developing players.
• Arsenal Soccer Schools: Premier League club's coaching and soccer schools arm offering camps, 1-on-1 sessions, and academy-style experiences. Comparable operating model to FAB across coaching tiers and scout-led showcase events.
• Chelsea FC Foundation: Premier League club's outreach and education arm running coaching, schools, and scholarship pathways. Broader portfolio than FAB but directly competes for the youth talent pool (Chelsea has signed multiple FAB graduates).

Direct peers

• Pro:Direct Academy: UK private football development business offering coaching, camps, and academy-style programmes for youth players. Directly comparable to FAB Academy's combination of subscription coaching, holiday camps, and 1-on-1 sessions delivered outside the professional club academy system.
• MK Dons Sport & Education Trust (MK Dons SET): Delivers a recognised education-via-football programme combining BTEC studies with daily football coaching, similar to FAB's scholarship pathway through Altwood CoE School. Compares as a club-adjacent football-education rather than pure football product.
• Soccer Schools International: Operates UK and international football camps and residential programmes for young players, including scholarship-style courses. Closely mirrors FAB Academy's International & Residential Academy and Holiday Camps model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/fabacademy
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC6_KZPSVb2y6f29zwmQ9QsQ
• Instagraminstagram.com/fab_academy
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fab-football-academy

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about FAB FOOTBALL ACADEMY