A Shetland entrepreneur has built a football coaching business from scratch in under a year, with support from Business Gateway helping him access start-up funding and get his venture off the ground.

Jack Clubb launched Jack Clubb Coaching in March 2025, offering football sessions that would nurture young talent by building confidence and fitness and grow the game across the Islands.

Jack's business offers a range of services including one-to-one football coaching, small and large group sessions, and fitness testing and monitoring plans for sports teams. Since getting started last year, Jack has seen steady growth through referrals and word-of-mouth and has now coached more than 100 players of all ages to develop their skills on the field.

Business Gateway Shetland worked with Jack on his business plan and marketing and signposted him towards a start-up funding of £4,000 through Shetland Islands Council.

The grant allowed Jack to purchase a range of professional training kit and IT equipment to support him with business planning, as well as allowing Jack to build a following on social media to promote and grow his business. The support from the Business Gateway team included one-to-one advice from local adviser Jeff Gaskell, along with workshops and research through the Business Gateway website.

Jack has also spent his first year of trading experimenting with different formats for sessions to find what works best for players across his coaching schedule. Adviser Jeff Gaskell has supported with business development through company reports and research to strengthen his business plan as Jack continues to evolve his offering.

Jack Clubb, founder of Jack Clubb Coaching said:

“Starting my coaching business was an exciting step, but like many new entrepreneurs, I wasn’t entirely sure where to begin when it came to building a sustainable business. The support I received from Business Gateway was invaluable. Their guidance on business planning helped me create a clear roadmap for growth, while their marketing advice gave me the confidence and tools to promote my services effectively."

“The signposting towards funding was also a huge help in supporting me to get the business off the ground, allowing me to invest in essential equipment and resources from day one. As a young founder, having that support network behind me made a real difference and has helped turn my passion for football into a growing business.”

Kirsten Scott, Business Gateway Manager said:

“It has been a pleasure to support Jack on his journey since launching Jack Clubb Coaching last year. From the outset, Jack demonstrated a real passion for helping players develop both on and off the pitch, along with a strong commitment to building a successful business."

“Through Business Gateway, we were able to provide tailored support around business planning and marketing, helping him establish a clear direction for growth and reach his target audience. It’s fantastic to see the progress he has made in such a short time and we’re looking forward to following the continued growth of Jack Clubb Coaching.”

Business Gateway continues to support start-ups and growing businesses across Shetland with free advice on everything from funding routes to digital marketing, helping local entrepreneurs turn ideas into trading businesses.

To find out more about how Business Gateway can help, visit here.