But for many children, enjoying games means removing or relieving the pressure of winning, or battling to win, more specifically. A freedom to play without pressure is essential for any child, of any level in any sport: perhaps it’s the same for learning the violin or mastering maths.

A teacher, coach or tutor will always want for their students to express themselves, and learn permanently what it is to express oneself. A considerably friendlier, children’s sportive club is an ideal environment for their expressiveness to blossom.

• a dynamic warm up challenging basic skills and techniques for all levels of ability, to get coordination working, bodies heated and spirits excited

• exercises in pairs and small groups to practice passing and receiving, and other team-play skills before we get into games

• mini gameplay, discreetly framed to focus on specific coaching points, introducing competition and fully exposing players to match conditions

• a big game, all-in, free and loose, without the coaching – very often the only way to end a happy session.

However, the timing of exposing the children to greater skill challenges and larger game formats is a sensitive, gradual matter, and determined by the sense of the coach.

In every case, it will be the coach’s aim to progress the children individually. And so as confidence in one’s physical self grows, the children will find themselves bumping and barging, trying to win.

With lots of players involved in a game, it’s possible or likely that some players will touch the ball just two or three times. There’s only so much a child learns from that… and it really isn’t much at all.

We will use our students’ time better, optimising the learning opportunities and increasing the exposure to activity. It is never about hurrying a child to “get it” now. 

• for starters, it raises each player’s value which we try to convert into confidence

• players are exposed to more ball-time and, therefore, more practice time

• players experience the rhythms and pictures of the game more frequently in any period of play 

• and because we’re playing a game without pressure, it’s fun learning.

Throughout the games, a Coach has lots of opportunities to help “connect the dots” for the players.   

Two friends cannot practice catching if both cannot throw well. And you can’t enjoy a game of ‘It’ if you can’t feint and dodge… so let’s add all these strings to your bow!

Every GeeBee session will exercise the players thoroughly and every child will be encouraged to exert themselves, to open their engines and give it their all.

So feel welcome to make it your child’s first sporty venture. Without resorting to laps of rectangles, unkind words or ultimatums, we will improve a child’s fitness from any starting point.

Sportsmanship is one of the aspects of sport which shatters barriers and unites the players, across any type of boundary. GeeBee Club embraces the opportunity to coach team play and cooperation, and how it relates to competitiveness and winning. 

We choose a 4G all-weather facility for its reliability: balls bounce how we might expect them too. It’s also very clean, and soft when we fall.

Beyond the pitch, we benefit from being away from the roads, surrounded by trees and birdsong.  

As we enter a second period of lockdown in London, we think best to suspend our calendar for now. We will resume a schedule of lessons when the Covid-19 restrictions have been lifted and woah do we look forward to that time.

Let us remind you closer to the time, if you like >>

Players will not need anything special, but everyone will need a bottled drink.

Wear lightweight, sports clothing (without pockets) with a sweater on top. A lightweight waterproof jacket is useful on rainy days. Socks and trainers for feet.

Long hair is probably best tied back. 

Annual Membership Fee
4–6 yrs. £50
7–11 yrs. £80

Members 4–6 yrs
Season Fee £90
Non-Members’ Lesson Fee £20

Members 7–11 yrs
Season Fee £155  Half Season Fee £90
Non-Members’ Lesson Fee £25

Fess are per child.
A full season includes ten 60 or 90 minute lessons.
A half season includes five 60 or 90 minute lessons on alternate weeks.
No refunds of Membership fees will be given.
No exchanges or refunds of season fees will be given.
All fees must be settled prior to season start. 

Annual Membership runs September to September.

All attendance to GeeBee Club lessons and events is by Membership or pre-arrangement. Non-members may attend lessons where space is available.

Here’s a brief introduction to the staff

Head Coach
Elliot Paine
né 1974

Elliot has directed JFC London in North London since 1992 while pursuing a career as a designer since 2000. He has a wealth of coaching experience and a passion for the young trier. A father since 2007, his enthusiasm for good secondary school preparation drives GeeBee’s ambitions for its members.

456 Coach
Akihiko Yokota
né 1997

Akihiko is a Chemistry graduate of King’s College London. He has four years sports coaching experience with the 3–7 age group, and a special manner with the youngest players. He plays piano, commands two languages and holds a black belt in Karate. 

Testimonials from parents

Father of 8 year old — “We travel from E17 to JFC in Finchley because the technical coaching is on a different level. Our son has come on so much since he joined, especially technique and creativity, now he’s been scouted to a better club. Elliot’s patience with him is what I’m most grateful for – he’s so encouraging and insightful in a way that normal team managers just don’t have time for. We recommend JFC and Elliot for sure.”

Father of 11 year old — “I really appreciate that my son has been looked after and has been raised in a way that we parents cannot, by the dedicated coaches.”

Mother of 9 year old — “He’s not a great contributor to the team, but every time he came home he said he had a great time, and that’s because JFC do not only praise their football skills but they value their effort.”

Mother of 6 and 13 year olds — “I’m so grateful to JFC who has taught not only the sport, but the pleasure in it too. I would like Coach Elliot and other coaches to continue to take care of our children with the warm-hearts they have.”

Father of 8 year old — “I can see that the coaches are excellent with working and developing the players’ abilities to make them a good player. If a player gets a chance to show his ability at a trial for example, they will be there to support him even if it’s in their own time.”

Mother of 9 year old — “My son occasionally finds the lessons in JFC difficult. On the other hand, he has been taking JFC lessons twice a week, so he has gained strength. He enjoys going to the lesson despite of rain, because all coaches create an atmosphere which my son can enjoy. I really appreciate their effort.”

Mother of 16 year old — “Elliot and all the coaches are young, energetic and caring people, so they are my son’s ideal example. He has gained strength and enjoys taking lessons twice a week. It made him have a confidence. I believe that my son’s English life is fantastic due to his wonderful team-mates and coaches.”

Mother of 10 year old — “I really appreciate that my son has continued the lesson by the support from the dedicated coaches. The lesson is high quality and well executed, and I feel strongly about the coaches’ ambition towards kids.”

Mother of 13 year old — “It’s been more than 7 years since my son has been going to JFC. It is because of the wonderful coaches and the teammates that are there. The head coach, Elliot, and the coaches are very enthusiastic about their teaching, not only in the techniques, but also team-play. Also, one of the pleasures is chatting to teammates after practice. To have met wonderful coaches and teammates, he will treasure in life.”

GeeBee Club is held in a spacious setting, and always outdoors. With our considered capacity of 24/30 players, our lesson plans are easily manageable at safe distance.

Only during gameplay might the children encroach on each other. 

This message will be updated in September.