Start to Finish Football Development School fuses FC Barcelona's possession-based structure with the creativity and flair of African football. Character first. Football always. Ages 8 to 15+.
Nathan Daniels is a Cape Town-based coach with over 8 years of experience developing youth players across the Cape Peninsula. Holding a SAFA licence, FA Talent Identification certification and having studied FC Barcelona's playing methodology, Nathan's approach is grounded in one belief: develop the person before the player.
As Head of Sport at Ambleside School and founder of Start to Finish Football Development School, Nathan has developed 30+ players across grassroots and competitive levels. His players have gone on to represent clubs in Spain and ABC league sides throughout the Western Cape. Nathan blends European structure with African creativity — building technically intelligent, mentally resilient footballers who are ready for whatever comes next. He's equally committed to his own growth as a coach, with further qualifications planned — development doesn't stop with the players.
"Develop the person before the player."
— Coach Nathan Daniels, Founder · S2FOur methodology is rooted in FC Barcelona's possession-based football — fluid transitions, quick combination play, spatial intelligence and positional awareness — blended with the creativity, flair and freedom of expression that is distinctly African. Disciplined in system. Expressive in execution.
Players learn to keep the ball, move it with purpose, and read the game in motion — the foundation of the Barça philosophy.
Seeing before receiving. Recognising space, scanning constantly, and making the next decision before the ball arrives.
Freedom of expression is non-negotiable. The European framework gives structure — the African instinct gives voice. We coach both, deliberately.
The person before the player. Character, discipline and self-belief earned through structure, repetition and care.
Seven values, coached deliberately in every session, every phase. This is the framework behind "person before player" — tap each letter.
Sportsmanship, after the final whistle — Build it U13 Festival.
Owning your actions, your preparation and your standards — on the pitch and off it.
Three age-banded phases designed to take a player from first touch to first-team trial. Every session is intentional. Every drill has a purpose. Every player has a plan.
Ball mastery, coordination, confidence and a lifelong love for the game — led by Coach Nathan.
Tactical awareness, positional play, creativity under pressure and team identity — led by Coach Kenan Guenatin.
Elite pathway preparation, performance standards and competitive exposure — led personally by Coach Nathan and Coach Kenan.
Help get 25 S2F players to George this September — for most of them, their first time playing football outside Cape Town. Every rand goes toward transport, accommodation, meals and tournament entry.
Support the campaign →R100 per person, max 6 per team — entry includes a glass of wine or a beer. Spot prizes on the night at R10 a ticket. All proceeds to S2F.
Book your table →Tickets R40. Prizes from Hout Bay's finest — charters, restaurants and more. Drawn live on 10 September.
Get tickets →Our Intermediate and Legacy squads travel to George for a three-day tournament tour — a milestone trip for the school.
Real sessions. Real players. Captured at training and matches across the Cape Peninsula.
Photography by Nathan Fenner Photography · 2025–2026 season
One fee, aligned to the school term. No hidden costs, no direct-debit traps.
Fees shouldn't be the reason a player misses out. If the term fee is a stretch, talk to Coach Nate — flexible payment arrangements are available.
Founder & Head Coach · Foundation & Legacy Phases
Head of Sport at Ambleside School. SAFA Licensed. Studied FC Barcelona's playing methodology. 8+ years developing youth players across the Cape Peninsula.
Intermediate & Legacy Phase Coach
Former Ajax Cape Town youth player and technical development specialist, focused on the detail that turns promising players into intelligent, composed footballers.
Former Bafana Bafana midfielder and ex-Ajax Cape Town player. Franklin remains part of the S2F setup, joining Legacy sessions through the term to bring top-flight standards to our elite group.
A development-track role for a younger goalkeeper or aspiring coach. Real coaching hours, hands-on weekly experience and direct mentorship from Coach Nathan.
S2F players are represented across ABC league clubs and school first teams throughout the Cape Peninsula — and our graduates have gone on to sign with youth academies abroad. Some go on to play in Europe. Others lead their school first team. Both are wins.
"What makes him exceptional is that he invests in them not only as football players, but as young men. His patience, passion and commitment to developing character, confidence and resilience are evident in everything he does."
"Lately, I've noticed a massive boost in his confidence on the pitch. Instead of waiting to be told what to do, he is now making his own informed decisions and reading the play beautifully."
"Start to Finish is much more than a football school; it is a community that nurtures young players, builds confidence and creates an environment where children can thrive. We cannot recommend Nate and his coaching team highly enough."
"You can tell this is more than just a football school — the coaches genuinely care about the kids, not just the game. The perfect mix of fun, structure, discipline, and performance."
"Coach Nate and Coach Kenan have not only helped rebuild his confidence and focus but have also reignited the joy he once had for the game. There is no greater gift than seeing your child excited to attend training."
"He is well-respected by the players and gives each individual attention and guidance on how to progress, without applying undue pressure. Our son always looks forward to the sessions."
S2F is rooted in Hout Bay, and the community backs its own. We're proud to be supported by local businesses who believe in developing the next generation.
Community Partner · Hout BayOne trial session. 60 minutes on the pitch. You'll see the difference between players being drilled and players being developed — before the warm-down whistle.
WhatsApp Coach Nathan → +27 74 575 2762 nathan@start2finish.co.za 120 Milner Ave, Hout Bay, Cape Town