Teenage Washington coach Frazer Barker launches Technical Focus coaching venture | OneFootball

Nineteen-year-old Washington coach Frazer Barker has launched Technical Focus, offering group and one-to-one football coaching and holiday provision for players aged six and above.

According to Sunderland Echo, demand has surged, with over 40 young people now attending each week. He has grown from one weekly group to four, with up to 12 per session, and works with two subcontracted coaches.

Barker set up the venture after experience with another coaching company. He says starting alone felt daunting, but the strong response reinforced his decision, and at 19 he felt he had little to lose.

Sessions run at The Millenium Centre and The Hub in Washington, with prices from £15. While building the business, he also plays Northern League football and hopes his coaching will help more children keep fit and enjoy sport’s wider benefits.

With no previous experience of running a company, Barker turned to the North East Business and Innovation Centre for guidance. Adviser Helen Wardropper helped him register with HMRC, develop his business plan and broaden his network, and he is exploring funding options.

Wardropper describes him as driven and well qualified, using a natural rapport with young people to build a growing enterprise. The BIC support formed part of the Enterprising Sunderland project, which received £523,541 from the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund Programme.

Source: Sunderland Echo