Building MACS Academy

In the dynamic world of sports coaching, MACS Academy has emerged as a beacon of excellence in providing bespoke coaching sessions for children in Lancashire and beyond. Our success story isn't just about the skills we teach; it's also a testament to the unwavering support of the parents and families who have stood by us as we built a foundation and nurtured our company to where it stands today. Here is an insight of the journey it’s self in the words of MACS Academy’s founder, Dominic McKay.

That Viral Video

“It all began in 2018 when a video of a private one-on-one football session went viral among the parents in our community. The overwhelming demand flooded my personal social media inbox, leaving me with no choice but to take a leap of faith and transform this passion into a full-fledged business. With the vision of providing exceptional coaching sessions, I decided to create a business page, and after careful consideration, MACS Academy was born with the name reflecting my commitment to providing a holistic and comprehensive coaching experience for young athletes. As the demand for private coaching sessions grew bigger, MACS Academy started gaining a significant following, becoming more and more recognised.”

A FRIEND & MENTOR

“During my time coaching football for a former employer, I had the pleasure of meeting a parent of one of the young players in my group. We formed a great friendship that has endured to this day. When I decided to pursue MACS Academy full-time a couple years later, said parent and friend showed unwavering faith in the project and offered sponsorship with their up-and-coming sports nutrition brand, 10X Athletic. This partnership further fuelled my ambition to provide the best possible coaching experience to our young members and took our perception to new heights. Together and with the help of a team of experts, we created our company logo with branding guidelines, which helped shape our identity and fostered further growth.”

Combining Passions and Hard Work

“Growing up and more so in the early stages of my career, I had a passion for graphic design, photography, and videography. I dedicated countless hours to refining these skills. Alongside sports coaching, I also delved into self-taught social media marketing which led to putting this experience to good use as I created effective marketing strategies for MACS Academy’s social media presence. While my ambition was to help young athletes chase their dreams in following the footsteps of their sporting icons, I understood that providing a platform on social media to celebrate their progress and success gave them the superstar feeling they longed for. I made this a huge part of their experience as we published creative content for them to be proud of and share with their friends and families. “

Teamwork makes the Dream WORK

“In the summer of 2019, we had reached a quantity of members of similar ages and ability which grew a demand for a football team. With the help and support of parents and sponsors, we formed two teams of 7 and entered them into local football tournaments, experiencing huge success of victories before eventually joining in the local grassroots leagues. We began our footballing campaigns in true fashion as we had designed fresh and extremely professional looking kits to again help our players feel like superstars. We received huge compliments on our appearance but the high standard of football and the progress being made was evident and difficult to ignore. As we entered the new year, the hard work was paid off for multiple players as 7 of the 14 received Academy contracts at Manchester City, Blackburn Rovers, and Preston North End.”

Navigating the Challenges of the Pandemic

“In March 2020, just as MACS Academy was gaining momentum, the world was hit by the Covid-19 pandemic. It felt like our dreams were slipping away before they even had a chance to really begin. However, with a baby on the way and my venture on the brink of collapse, our dedicated parents and members continued to show their support during this challenging time. As lockdown restrictions eased, we adapted and went back to our roots of one-on-one and small group sessions, ensuring the safety of our players while maintaining their progress. With patience and resilience, we weathered the storm and emerged stronger as we rebuilt our momentum.”

Expanding Our Horizons

“Since emerging from the pandemic, MACS Academy has continued to grow and thrive. We have forged partnerships with an increasing number of schools across Lancashire, allowing us to reach more young athletes with our coaching expertise. Additionally, we introduced MiniMACS, a football foundation phase designed to nurture young talent and foster a love for the beautiful game. Furthermore, we opened a martial arts centre to teach children self-defence techniques, improve their fitness and mobility, and nurture their confidence and self-belief. From the two original football teams of 7 players, MACS Academy now has 200+ members across all programs including sporting clinics in London.”

A Strong and Passionate Workforce

“Over time, MACS Academy has assembled an exceptional team of coaches and staff members who bring their skills and passion to the table. Together, we have taken our brand to new heights, delivering exceptional coaching experiences to our young members. We take great pride in providing working opportunities and experience to our previous young members, who have now joined our coaching team. They serve as remarkable examples for our current young members, inspiring them to follow in their footsteps.”

The Power of Parents

“Throughout this incredible journey, we recognize that our parents and families have been the backbone of our success. Their unwavering support and trust in our coaching philosophy has allowed us to do what we love for a living. We deeply appreciate their commitment and the role they play in shaping the future of their children through sports with MACS Academy.”

“MACS Academy's journey from a viral video to a thriving sports coaching company has been a testament to the power of passion, hard work, and the unbelievable support of our community. As we continue to grow and evolve, we remain committed to providing the highest quality coaching sessions for children while honouring the trust and support placed in us by our parents and families. Together, we will continue to inspire young athletes and create a lasting impact in the world of sports.”