Champions AcademyEssex • Where champions are built
Youth football • Southend & Benfleet • from 16 months

Where champions
are built

UEFA-qualified football coaching that builds proper players from the very first steps, right through to grassroots teams. Come and try a session.

Book a trial See our sessions
11grassroots teams
16m+starting age
2toddler branches
UEFAqualified coaches
A Champions Academy player driving forward with the ball
Champions AcademyEst. 2022 • Where champions are built
UEFA-qualified coaching
From 16 months to grassroots teams
Easy booking on ClassForKids
Trusted by Essex families
What we run

A session for every stage

From a toddler's first touch to competitive grassroots football and elite technical work, there is a Champions Academy session built for your child.

A toddler at a Mini Champs Academy session 16 months – 6/7 yrs

Baby & Toddler Football

Where it all starts. Saturday-morning sessions that build coordination, confidence and real football skills from the very first steps.

◆ Saturdays • Benfleet & Southend
Thursdays

Individual Technical Programme

Our flagship ITP. Focused technical coaching for players who want to get seriously good on the ball.

◆ Goals, Southend
Tuesdays

Position-Specific Session

Targeted coaching by position, sharpening the exact skills each role on the pitch demands.

◆ Goals, Southend
Wednesdays

Girls Squad Builder New

A dedicated space for girls to develop, play and belong, and to build a squad of their own. Launching soon.

◆ Goals, Southend
By request

1-2-1 & Small Group

Bespoke private and small-group coaching, arranged around your child's needs and goals. Just ask.

◆ Goals, Southend
School holidays

Football & Sport Camps

Action-packed holiday camps, full days of football and sport with great coaching and loads of games.

◆ Goals, Southend
In schools & nurseries

We come to you, too

Beyond our own venues, we bring Champions Academy coaching into local schools and nurseries.

School Clubs

Before-school, lunchtime and after-school football clubs run at your school.

PE Lessons

Curriculum PE delivered by our qualified coaches, a growing part of what we do.

Nursery Football

Fun, early-years football sessions brought straight to your nursery.

Getting started

How a trial works

Trying us out couldn't be simpler. Here's exactly what happens from first click to first session.

1

Book online

Find your child's age group and nearest session on our ClassForKids page and book a trial in a couple of taps.

2

Come and play

Turn up in comfy kit, trainers or boots and a drink. Our coaches will make your child feel welcome from the first whistle, whatever their level.

3

Join the club

If they love it, and they will, you can sign up and become part of the Champions Academy family. No pressure, no rush.

Safe hands

Coaching you can trust

Your child's safety and enjoyment come first, always. Every session is run to proper standards.

DBS-checkedEnhanced-checked coaches
First-aid trainedReady for every session
Fully insuredComplete peace of mind
Safeguarding policyIn place and followed
FA-affiliatedGrassroots teams affiliated
Life at the academy

Real football, real smiles

A glimpse of Champions Academy in action, from first touches to trophy days.

A Champions Academy squad ready with their footballs
A Champions Academy player celebrating
A girl dribbling during a session
Players with their tournament trophy
A close battle for possession
Coach addressing the players at a presentation
The Champions Academy coaching team
A branded Mini Champs football on the pitch
Champions Academy FC

Our grassroots club

Eleven teams and growing, from our youngest squad right up to the U11 Lionesses. Training in the week at Goals Southend, matchdays on Sundays.

U5s
One squad
  • One big squad
U6s
One squad
  • One big squad
U7s
3 squads
  • Lions
  • Tigers
  • Leopards
U8s
5 squads
  • Lions
  • Tigers
  • Leopards
  • Jaguars
  • Panthers
U11s
Girls
  • Lionesses
A Champions Academy boys squad together at the goal
The Champions Academy girls squad

Weekly training & sessions

DayWhat's onVenue
MonU7s trainingGoals, Southend
TueU5s trainingPosition-Specific sessionGoals, Southend
WedU6s trainingU8s trainingGirls Squad BuilderGoals, Southend
ThuU11 LionessesIndividual Technical ProgrammeGoals, Southend
SatBaby & Toddler FootballBenfleet & Southend
SunGrassroots matchdaysBillericay & Rochford
Where we play

Southend, Benfleet & beyond

Our home is Goals in Southend, with Saturday toddler branches in Benfleet and Southend, and grassroots matchdays across south Essex.

Goals, SouthendOur hub, weekday training, technical programmes, camps and 1-2-1s.
Appleton School, BenfleetSaturday-morning baby & toddler football branch.
Alleyn Court Prep, SouthendSaturday-morning baby & toddler football branch.
Billericay & RochfordSunday home grounds for our grassroots matchdays.
Why Champions Academy

Coaching parents trust, football kids love

Real football, from the earliest ages

Our whole philosophy: proper technique and game understanding from a child's very first session, not just running around.

UEFA-qualified coaches

Every session is led by qualified coaches who know how to develop young players safely and properly.

A pathway that grows with them

From a toddler class to grassroots teams and our technical programme, your child can keep progressing with us for years.

The team

Meet the coaches

The people your child will learn from every week. Qualified, experienced, and brilliant with young players.

Ryan O'Rawe, Founder and Head Coach

Ryan O'Rawe

Founder & Head Coach

UEFA-qualified and the driving force behind Champions Academy. Ryan has coached professional and academy-level players, including Cole Palmer and Wilfried Zaha, and built the academy from a single toddler class.

Photo coming soon

George Hare

Coach
Photo coming soon

Mickey Kelly

Coach
Photo coming soon

Lawrence Phillips

Coach
Photo coming soon

Aidan Brown

Coach
Happy parents

Leave us a review

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Good to know

Frequently asked questions

My child has never played football before, is that okay?
Absolutely. Loads of our children start with no experience at all. Our sessions are built to bring every child along at their own pace, and to make them fall in love with the game.
What ages do you take?
We start from 16 months in our baby and toddler football, right up through our grassroots teams and technical programmes. Whatever your child's age, there's a session for them.
What should my child bring or wear?
Comfy clothes they can run around in, trainers or football boots, shin pads for the older ones, and a bottle of water. That's it.
How do I book?
All of our sessions are booked through our ClassForKids page. Just tap any "Book a trial" button on this site, choose your session, and you're in.
Do you run during the school holidays?
Yes. As well as our weekly sessions we run football and multi-sport holiday camps throughout the school holidays. Keep an eye on our socials and ClassForKids page for dates.
Can you come to our school or nursery?
We do. We deliver PE lessons, before-school, lunchtime and after-school clubs, and nursery football sessions across the area. Get in touch and we'll have a chat.
Ready to start?

Book your child's trial

All our sessions are booked through ClassForKids. Find your session, book a trial, and come and see what Champions Academy is about.

Book on ClassForKids WhatsApp us

Questions first? Email info@minichamps.club or message 07917 275848