What Soccerstars Uk does

SoccerstarsUK is a Derby-based children's football coaching provider founded in 2003 by former professional footballers Darren Wassall and Pat Lyons. The company delivers structured football programmes across the East Midlands through partnerships with 75+ primary schools, community venues, and its own coaching sessions, coaching 5,000+ children annually through more than 100 sessions per week. Its core product portfolio spans After School Clubs (subscription-based, Direct Debit), Tiny Tots (ages 2-5), Skills Centres (Reception to Year 6), Holiday Courses (OFSTED registered, 11+ venues), and Advanced Technical Centres providing an academy pathway via Derby County Academy, which has absorbed 35+ of its graduates.

Revenue is generated through a mix of recurring Direct Debit subscriptions, per-session and per-day course fees, school contracts for PE curriculum delivery and PPA cover, and government-funded HAF places via Derby City Council and Derbyshire County Council. The technology layer is modest: a third-party OpenPlay booking platform handles registration and payment, with no proprietary AI or data assets disclosed. The operating model relies on 40+ qualified coaches (FA Level 1 minimum, UEFA-licensed at senior levels) overseen by a small core management team of 9 employees.

The business has expanded through two sub-brands: SportStarsUK (launched 2017, multi-sport PE and PPA cover) and The Soccerstars Foundation CIC (established 2020, charitable arm delivering HAF and community programmes). Recent strategic moves include a 2026 national partnership with the English Football League for school enrichment days, OFSTED registration of Holiday Courses unlocking Tax-Free Childcare and Universal Credit funding, and grant funding from the National Lottery, Sported, and Barclays Community Sport Fund. The customer base is highly distributed across schools and individual parents, with low concentration risk but material exposure to East Midlands regional demographics and local authority funding decisions.

Name

Soccerstars Uk

Legal name

SoccerstarsUK

Website

https://soccerstarsuk.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Short description

SoccerstarsUK is a Derby-based children's football coaching provider founded in 2003, delivering subscription and pay-as-you-go programmes to 5,000+ children annually through 75+ partner primary schools and community venues across the East Midlands, with a credible academy pathway into Derby County FC.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Sports Coaching Services

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Sport-Specific Skills Coaching (e.g., soccer, basketball, tennis) (HSADAEAA)

Keywords

• Youth football coaching
• Children sports coaching
• School PE delivery
• Holiday activity programmes
• Multi-sport coaching

Headquarters

HQ city

Derby

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. After School Clubs: Weekly football coaching sessions delivered in primary schools, paid via Direct Debit on 1st of each month or bulk booking payment
2. Holiday Courses: Full-day football courses during school holidays (Easter, Summer, Christmas, Half Terms) charged per day or full course
3. Tiny Tots Programme: Weekly toddler football classes for children aged 2-5 at various venues including Repton Sports Centre and University of Derby
4. Skills Centres: Weekly skills development sessions for Reception to Year 6 at University of Derby and Etwall Leisure Centre
5. Advanced Technical Centres: Premium weekly training sessions for U6-U11 players with £30 initial payment plus monthly Direct Debit, delivered by UEFA-qualified coaches
6. HAF Programme: Holiday Activities and Food Programme providing FREE funded places for eligible children in partnership with local councils
7. PE and PPA Cover: Curriculum PE coaching and PPA cover services delivered directly in schools by qualified coaches

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

SoccerstarsUK delivers children's football coaching programmes across Derby, Nottinghamshire, and Staffordshire. The company offers a portfolio of structured courses including After School Clubs, Tiny Tots (2-5 years), Skills Centres, Holiday Courses, and Advanced Technical Centres. It also provides school-based services such as PE Curriculum Coaching, PPA Cover, Lunchtime Clubs, and School Tournaments through its SportstarsUK multi-sport brand. Coaching is delivered by UEFA-qualified and FA-certified coaches, with a pathway into Derby County Academy for elite-level development.

Product overview

SoccerstarsUK is a leading provider of children's football coaching in Derby and the surrounding areas, operating since 2003. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of programmes including After School Clubs, Tiny Tots, Skills Centres, Holiday Courses, and Advanced Technical Centres for children of all abilities. In 2017, the company launched SportStarsUK to provide multi-sport coaching including PE Curriculum Coaching, PPA Cover, Lunchtime Clubs, and School Tournaments. The Soccerstars Foundation CIC, established in 2020, serves as the charitable arm focused on community outreach and HAF-funded programmes. The company coaches over 5,000 children weekly through partnerships with 75+ schools across the East Midlands.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SportstarsUK: Multi-sport coaching provision for primary schools offering PE curriculum coaching, PPA cover support, breakfast clubs, lunchtime clubs, and after school sports clubs across tennis, rugby, cricket, hockey, dance, gymnastics, athletics, netball, basketball and other sports.
• The Soccerstars Foundation CIC

Products and services

• Tiny Tots Weekly toddler football classes for children aged 2-5 at community venues including Repton Sports Centre and University of Derby, focusing on movement, coordination, and basic football skills with parent participation.
• Skills Centres Weekly football skills development sessions for children from Reception to Year 6 at University of Derby and Etwall Leisure Centre, focusing on technique, ball mastery, and decision-making.
• Holiday Courses Full-day football and multisport courses for children aged 5-12 during school holidays (Easter, Summer, Christmas, Half Terms), delivered at 11 venues across Derbyshire. OFSTED registered with HAF funded places available.
• Advanced Technical Centres Premium weekly training sessions for U6-U11 players delivered by UEFA-qualified coaches, including Individual Development Action Plans and structured pathways to academy-level football. £30 initial payment plus monthly Direct Debit.
• SportstarsUK Multi-sport coaching provision for primary schools offering PE Curriculum Coaching, PPA Cover support, Breakfast Clubs, Lunchtime Clubs, After School Sports Clubs, and School Tournaments across tennis, rugby, cricket, hockey, dance, gymnastics, athletics, netball, and basketball.
• PE Curriculum Coaching Physical education lessons delivered in primary schools, aligned with the National Curriculum, covering Invasion Games, Athletics, Striking and Fielding, Net-Wall Games, Outdoor Adventurous Activities, Dance, and Gymnastics.
• PPA Cover Cover for teacher Planning, Preparation and Assessment (PPA) time in schools, providing qualified coaches to maintain curriculum-aligned PE lessons while teachers have non-contact time.
• Lunchtime Clubs and Mini Leaders School lunchtime sports activity sessions combined with a Mini Leaders leadership development programme that trains children to become positive role models and peer leaders in physical activity.
• Schools Tournament Inter-school competitive sports tournaments across football, netball, tag rugby, cricket, and athletics, providing structured competitive environments for children to represent their schools.
• Soccerstars Foundation CIC Not-for-profit community sports charity delivering inclusive youth sports programmes, school holiday clubs, HAF programmes, and outreach initiatives supporting disadvantaged families across Derbyshire and Staffordshire.
• Sports Fest Days Themed sporting event days aligned with major global sporting events including Olympics, Cricket World Cup, Women's World Cup, and Rugby World Cup, encouraging children to explore new sports and develop teamwork skills.
• After School Clubs Weekly football and multisport coaching sessions delivered in 75+ primary schools across the East Midlands for children, paid via Direct Debit. Serves over 1,250 children per week.

Quantifiable outcome

• 35+ players progressed to Derby County Academy
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• EFL (English Football League)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026National partnership delivering football enrichment days in schools across the UK as part of an exciting national football initiative
• Lots for Tots ChildcarecoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Official sponsor of 2026 World Cup Tournament at St George's Park; provides gazebo, flyers, and promotional materials branding
• Nottingham Forest FCminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Friendly matches arranged for Advanced Technical Centre players against academy teams
• St George's ParkflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026National football centre hosting Schools World Cup Tournament 2026; home of England National Teams
• Community FundminorOthersCommunity funding partner supporting youth sports initiatives in the Derby area
• Derby City CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCouncil partnership for delivering HAF (Holiday Activities and Food) programme and promoting holiday courses across the city
• Staffordshire County CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal authority partnership for HAF programme delivery and community sports initiatives in Staffordshire
• Its About Me (Staffordshire)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner organisation in Staffordshire focused on youth engagement
• Community Action, DerbyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity action organisation supporting Derby-based initiatives
• Derby CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFurther education institution partnership for potential training and development opportunities
• Staffordshire FA WildcatscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFA-affiliated programme delivering girls-only football sessions in Staffordshire
• Derbyshire FA WildcatscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFA-affiliated programme delivering girls-only football sessions in Derbyshire
• Nottinghamshire FA WildcatscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFA-affiliated programme delivering girls-only football sessions in Nottinghamshire
• PumaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEquipment sponsor providing sports kit and apparel for coaching staff and participants
• McAndrew UtilitiescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLong-term sponsor providing kit and support for Soccerstars operations since 2019; founded by Sean and Seamus McAndrew in 2000
• Derby County AcademyflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerElite academy partnership providing pathway for advanced players; Academy coaches lead Advanced Holiday Courses and development centres; 35+ players progressed to academy
• Peony Gifts and KitchenminorOthersCatering partner providing healthy meals and refreshments for HAF programme participants

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Little Kickers: National UK franchise delivering children's football coaching for ages 18 months to 8 years across nurseries, schools, and venues. Closest direct peer given its sport-specific coaching for toddlers and primary-age children with weekly subscription sessions.
• We Make Footballers: UK franchise network providing children's football coaching classes and holiday camps through local academies. Directly comparable on sport-specific football coaching for primary-age children with subscription and holiday course revenue models.
• Premier Sport: UK provider of multi-sport coaching in primary schools, including PE lessons, PPA cover, after-school clubs, and holiday programmes — directly mirroring SoccerstarsUK's SportStarsUK sub-brand offering.
• SCL Education Group: Major UK provider of sports coaching and PE delivery in primary schools, including curriculum PE, PPA cover, breakfast/after-school clubs, and holiday camps. Comparable on multi-sport school delivery scale and revenue model.
• Little Messy's Mini Kickers / Total Sport Coaching: Regional UK children's sports coaching provider offering PE lessons, PPA cover, after-school clubs, and holiday courses to primary schools. Directly comparable on school partnership model and holiday course delivery.
• Challenger Sports / Challenger Soccer: International soccer coaching operator with UK presence delivering youth football camps, clinics, and player development programmes. Comparable on football-specific curriculum and elite pathway positioning.
• Pro Football Academy / Soccer Schools UK: UK children's football coaching provider running after-school clubs, holiday courses, and player development sessions with structured pathways to academy football. Directly comparable on football-specific advanced coaching and academy pathway focus.

Broad incumbents

• The Football Association (FA) / FA Wildcats: UK governing body for football that runs Wildcats (girls-only) and other grassroots initiatives, and licenses grassroots coaches. SoccerstarsUK delivers FA Wildcats centres in three counties, making the FA both a partner and a broader-market incumbent in grassroots football development.
• Premier League Primary Stars: Premier League's free schools programme delivering PE, PSHE, and English/Maths resources via professional football clubs to primary schools. A broader incumbent competing for the same school-partnership channel and grassroots football mindshare.

Emerging players

• Kids in Sport / Sport4Kids: Multi-sport coaching provider in the Midlands running after-school clubs, holiday courses, and school PE delivery with growing school partnership networks. Emerging regional competitor in SoccerstarsUK's East Midlands geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/Soccerstars_UK
• Facebookfacebook.com/soccerstarsuk
• Instagraminstagram.com/soccerstarsuk

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Soccerstars Uk