Develop your game
Build the foundations: a confident first touch, purposeful passing and better decisions on the ball.
NB Academy · Birmingham
More than football. A foundation for life.
Develop your game. Grow your confidence. Coaching that puts the player first — led by Nathaniel Barnes, with 20+ years across grassroots, academy and professional football.
20+Years coaching
2Live centres, 2 coming soon
82Free drills & workouts
5–15+Age-specific guidance
The NB approach
Better football. Bigger possibilities.
Great coaching starts with the person behind the player. Our approach brings together skill, confidence and a lasting love of the game.
Find your confidence
A positive environment to ask questions, try something new and learn from every session.
Enjoy the journey
Make connections through football, work together and take pride in your own progress.
20+YEARS IN COACHING
- Grassroots foundations
- Academy development
- Professional experience
Nathaniel BarnesOwner · NB Academy
Meet the founder
Experience at every level. A personal approach.
Nathaniel Barnes brings over 20 years of coaching experience with grassroots players, academy players and professional footballers.
That breadth of experience is at the heart of NB Academy — helping players take their next step, wherever they are in their football journey.
Find your place to play
Local pitches. New possibilities.
Now coaching at Goals Perry Barr and Alexander Stadium, with Goals Star City and Goals Dudley coming soon.
Free training hub
Train between sessions.
82 illustrated drills and workouts, each with age-specific doses and simple swaps when you don't have the kit.
33
Football drills
Ball mastery, passing, finishing and games with pitch diagrams.
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17
Fitness & speed
Speed, agility, warm-ups and injury prevention.
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20
Bodyweight strength
Legs, hips, core and upper body — no gym needed.
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12
Light weights
Safe next steps for players aged 12 and over.
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From the training ground
See the work. Feel the progress.
Real moments from NB Academy sessions. Tap a reel to watch the full clip on Instagram.
Your next chapter starts here
Let's talk football.
Find out more about NB Academy and the right next step for your player.