Ages 3–6
Discover & Play
Parent-supported play, gentle exploration and a positive first experience of football.
Explore this sessionSpecialist SEND football coaching
A place to play.
A place to belong.
Football coaching built around the child—not the other way round. Helping children and young people with additional needs grow in confidence, communication and connection.
Already a member?Open the Parent HubFree first session · No pressure · Come as you are
Every child is different.That’s exactly where we start.
A PATHWAY FOR EVERY CHILD
Start where they feel comfortable.
Ages are a guide, not a strict entry test. We consider confidence, communication, support needs and readiness for structured activities—no labels, no pressure.
Ages 5–8
Young Stars: Explorers
A softer introduction to structured coaching, using playful activities, clear demonstrations and shorter instructions.
Explore this sessionAges 7–11
Young Stars: Players
Inclusive football coaching for children ready for more structured skills, instructions and team games.
Explore this sessionAges 12–18
Teenage Stars
Age-appropriate coaching with space to connect, progress and enjoy being part of a team.
Explore this sessionIndividual coaching
Ask about 1:1 coaching One-to-one support shaped around the child’s pace, interests and goals.
Football is the vehicle.The child is the focus.
THE BTG APPROACH
More than football.
Progress that matters.
We create calm, predictable sessions where children can take part in their own way. Our coaches adapt the environment, communication and challenge—not the child.
01Confidence
Trying, choosing and celebrating progress.
02Communication
Finding comfortable ways to connect.
03Friendships
Shared play without social pressure.
04Regulation
Movement, routine and emotional safety.
“We don’t just coach football.
We coach the child through football.”
— THE BTG PROMISETHE PEOPLE BEHIND BTG
Meet the coaches.
Patient, purposeful coaching from people who understand that every child may need something different to feel comfortable, connected and ready to play.
FOUNDER & HEAD COACH
Coach Marc
Marc founded Beyond The Game in 2025 with a clear purpose: to bring football into the lives of children and young people whose needs had not yet been met by traditional provision.
With more than one in five pupils in England now identified as having special educational needs, Marc recognised the urgent need for football environments built around the child. He now oversees BTG’s operation, coaching approach and safeguarding standards while leading its ambition to become the region’s trusted SEND-friendly football provision.
View the latest Department for Education SEND data ↗
TRAINEE COACH
Coach Charlie
Charlie joined the BTG team in July 2026 and brings an abundance of enthusiasm for sport and inclusive coaching. Coming from a teaching family, he understands the importance of patience, consistency and meeting young people where they are.
Charlie is thoughtful, encouraging and fully aligned with BTG’s vision. Our players enjoy seeing him each week, and he is committed to helping every child feel understood, supported and part of the group.
INTERESTED IN COACHING WITH BTG?Help build football environments where more children can belong.
Explore future opportunities We may not be recruiting today, but we welcome expressions of interest from thoughtful coaches who share our values.
BEYOND THE GAME’S VISION
500 children.
One goal.
By 2030, we aim to meaningfully engage 500 children and young people every month across the North West who have previously faced barriers to football.
Through academy sessions, schools, care and community referrals, funded places and trusted partners, we want to build a pathway where football adapts around the child—and where belonging is never reserved for the few.
Discover Road to 2030
BTG WINNERS SPOTLIGHT · SEPTEMBER 2026
Winning means more
than the scoreline.
Each month, we celebrate one child whose progress deserves recognition, on the pitch and beyond it.
THIS MONTH’S WINNER
Zayd, age 9
When Zayd first joined us, being part of a team had not always felt easy. He had watched his siblings find their places and sometimes felt a little left out.
Since discovering Beyond The Game, Zayd has embraced taking part each week. With his family cheering from the side, he is enjoying his football and learning what it feels like to belong to a team that truly suits him.
Zayd’s family and everyone at BTG are immensely proud of how far he has come. We cannot wait to keep supporting his development.
THE BTG MEMORY BOOK
Keep the moments.
Remember the journey.
A growing scrapbook of BTG memories, celebrating the people, progress and moments that shape our academy.
Open the Memory Book →JUNE 2025
The early days
The very beginning of Beyond The Game. A few footballs, an open space and a belief that more children deserved a place where football could adapt around them. These early sessions were where the BTG story began.
PARENT STORIES
What families notice first.
Real experiences from parents and carers whose children have found their place at BTG.
★★★★★
“Within minutes, Marc made him feel comfortable.”
Both boys are coming out of their shells, learning new skills at their own pace and loving every session.
★★★★★
“A brilliant environment where every child is supported to be themselves.”
Inclusive, relaxed and welcoming—with no pressure to participate in a certain way.
★★★★★
“Straight away, we knew our boy could be part of a team.”
Understanding, empathetic and supportive coaching that helps him stay regulated and happy.
YOUR FIRST VISIT
Know what to expect.
A simple, pressure-free first step for you and your child.
Tell us about your child
Share what helps, what they enjoy and anything you want us to know.
We recommend a group
We’ll match their age, needs and comfort level to the most suitable session.
Come for a free session
Meet the coach, explore the space and join in as much—or as little—as feels right.
OUR HOME IN FAILSWORTH
Co-op Academy Failsworth
Brierley Avenue, Failsworth, Manchester M35 9HA
- Secure outdoor pitches
- Clear arrival guidance before your visit
- Free first session available
SAFEGUARDING AT BTG
Safe. Supported.
Taken seriously.
Safeguarding is built into how BTG recruits, plans and delivers—not treated as paperwork after the fact.
- Designated Safeguarding Lead
- Marc Jackson
- Our standards
- Safer recruitment, codes of conduct and clear reporting routes
FIND THE RIGHT SESSION
Every journey starts with the right first step.
Share a few basic details and we’ll use your child’s age and preferred style of support to email the most suitable available starting point. We can discuss individual support needs privately afterwards.