Can a £15,000 Start Up Loan transform a great idea into a thriving community powerhouse?
The latest episode of the How They Funded It podcast, a joint venture between Welsh ICE and the British Business Bank, answers with a resounding “yes.”
We feature Leon Stapleton, the passionate Academy Owner and Head Coach at We Make Footballers Cardiff, who is revolutionising grassroots football in Wales.
Leon, who brings a background in teaching to his coaching role, details his journey: successfully launching the first Welsh franchise of the renowned national academy using crucial initial investment. The episode offers a compelling look at how this financial kickstart has allowed the business to double its weekly enrolment and actively foster a more inclusive, positive environment for young players.
Scoring Success: Launching a Best-in-Class Academy
We Make Footballers (WMF) delivers top-tier football coaching for children aged 4-12, grounded in core values of Safety, Passion, Development, and Fun. The academy’s mission is simple: inspire children to fall in love with football and become the best versions of themselves, both on and off the pitch.
The WMF network boasts an impressive history, contributing to the signing of over 250 players to professional clubs, including current top-level stars like Michael Olise and Alfie Gilchrist.
On the podcast, Leon explains that the £15,000 Start Up Loan was the catalyst. This funding covered the essential costs needed to get the ball rolling: the initial franchise fee, all necessary equipment, and insurance. This investment quickly paid off, enabling the Cardiff franchise to hit the 100 weekly subscription milestone—a massive achievement that doubled its enrollment in just a few short months.
Leon reflects on the rapid expansion, highlighting the opportunity that funding provides:
“I kind of pinched myself and went, ‘How did this jump all of a sudden from like, you know, 50-odd children to over 100?’… There are funding opportunities there, and if you’ve got a great idea to launch something, why not just do it?”
Beyond the Numbers: Building an Inclusive Movement
The story of We Make Footballers Cardiff is about more than just numbers; it’s about inclusivity. The Start Up Loan empowered Leon to pursue a major community mission:
- Wider Ambitions: Leon reveals his goal to transition the business to a full-time venture by partnering with schools to offer PE, lunchtime, and after-school clubs. This will broaden the academy’s reach to all children, including young disabled athletes.
- Girls Only Sessions: The investment has supported the launch of dedicated “Girls only” sessions, creating a safe, encouraging space for young female athletes to build confidence and flourish without pressure.
Leon also offers practical advice to aspiring entrepreneurs, highlighting the accessibility of the Start Up Loan process, which included valuable mentorship. He is confident in seeking further funding to continue the academy’s expansion and investment in new equipment, proving the loan acts as a reliable foundation for future growth.
Welsh ICE CEO and podcast host, Lesley Williams, summarises the powerful impact of Leon’s journey:
“Leon has demonstrated the true power of a Start Up Loan. It’s not just about business growth, it’s about building a powerful movement that is inspiring hundreds of young people across Cardiff to find a love for football and reach their full potential.”
The inspiring new episode of How They Funded It is available now!
➡️ Listen and Watch Episode 3 Here
And be sure to keep an eye out for Episode 4, being released on Wednesday, 19th of November! You can find all episodes as they release right here.
Further Reading: Our blog from Episode 2 DEPLOY Tech CTO Beren Kayali Reveals the Strategy That Fuelled a 10x Growth has some more great insights on how the right funding can help you achieve a rapid, transformative ’10x boost’!
