There are few adrenaline rushes quite like succeeding in business. Just how many feel when they play online slots, to make dreams come true and bring your vision into reality can be exhilarating. That has been the case for Jack Clubb Coaching, around 18 months into the Shetland Islands business’ journey.
Jack Clubb Coaching has passed the 100-player mark in Shetland after launching in March 2025 with start-up backing. The milestone arrives during a strong period for island football, with Shetland’s men retaining the Milne Cup and the women’s team making national cup progress.
Jack Clubb’s coaching venture is becoming part of Shetland’s growing football infrastructure, giving young players another route to regular, structured training in the islands.
Jack Clubb Coaching offers one-to-one football coaching, small and larger group sessions, plus fitness testing and monitoring plans for sports teams. Business Gateway Shetland supported Clubb with business planning and marketing, and directed him towards £4,000 of start-up funding through Shetland Islands Council.
The Shetland Business Start Up Grant offers successful applicants between £500 and £4,000 and can cover eligible capital, marketing and training costs. For Clubb, the award helped pay for professional training kit and IT equipment, while also supporting the online promotion needed to build a customer base.
Business Gateway said Clubb’s first year has been shaped by referrals, word-of-mouth and trialling different session formats to find what works for players across his schedule. Clubb has said the support helped him create a ‘clear roadmap for growth’ and gave him the tools to promote his services properly.
Why the timing matters
The venture has grown during a notable spell for Shetland football. On Saturday, 25 July, Clubb scored the opening goal as Shetland beat Orkney 4-3 in Kirkwall to secure a fifth straight Milne Cup success.
Manager Jim Tait later praised Clubb’s midfield contribution, describing his goal as ‘tremendous’. That performance underlined Clubb’s own standing in the local game as well as his developing role as a coach.
The wider picture is also encouraging. Shetland Islands Council said its Summer of Sport 2026 programme recorded more than 5,000 attendances, with football among the free activities delivered by local clubs, coaches and volunteers.
Women’s football has added further momentum. Shetland Women retained the ScottishPower Highlands and Islands League Cup with a 1-0 win over Caithness Ladies in Elgin on Sunday, 6 September, and will travel to face Musselburgh Windsor in the Scottish Gas Women’s Scottish Cup first round on Sunday, 20 September.
For young players, that matters. Shetland’s representative sides and local clubs need a steady pathway from junior football into senior competition, and extra coaching capacity can help bridge the gap between enthusiasm and development.
The next test for Clubb is sustainability: turning early demand into a consistent coaching calendar while continuing to serve players of different ages and abilities. For Shetland football, his progress is another sign that investment in people can be as valuable as investment in pitches and competitions.
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