DMG Sports is proud to announce the launch of its newest children’s football franchise in Portsmouth and Waterlooville, bringing its energetic, child-focused football programmes to families across the local community.
Led by experienced coach Zach Holt, the new franchise will provide fun, inclusive and development-focused football sessions for children from as young as 15 months through to primary school age. The launch marks another exciting step in DMG Sports’ continued growth across the South Coast, with new weekly sessions now available in Portsmouth and Waterlooville.
The new franchise will officially begin delivering sessions this summer, offering toddlers and young children the opportunity to build confidence, develop key physical skills and fall in love with football in a safe and encouraging environment.
Bringing Football and Child Development Together
DMG Sports has built a strong reputation for creating engaging sports programmes that focus on far more than football alone. Every session is designed to support child development, confidence, communication and teamwork, while ensuring children remain active and excited to learn.
Coach Zach Holt will lead the Portsmouth and Waterlooville franchise, bringing with him five years of coaching experience and a genuine passion for helping children grow through sport.
Having worked with children across a variety of ages and abilities, Zach is committed to creating a positive and welcoming environment where every child can thrive.
Speaking about the launch, Zach said:
“I’m incredibly excited to bring DMG Sports to Portsmouth and Waterlooville. Sport has always been a huge part of my life, and I’ve seen first-hand the positive impact football can have on children both physically and mentally.”
“What really attracted me to DMG Sports was the focus on child development and creating enjoyable experiences for every child. It’s not just about football ability — it’s about confidence, social skills, teamwork and helping children enjoy being active.”
“There’s a fantastic community spirit across Portsmouth and Waterlooville, and I’m passionate about giving local families access to high-quality coaching sessions where children can learn, grow and most importantly have fun.”
New Weekly Football Sessions in Portsmouth and Waterlooville
The new franchise will operate across multiple venues throughout the week, offering age-specific football sessions designed to suit every stage of a child’s development.
Saturday Sessions – Trafalgar School, Portsmouth
Families in Portsmouth will be able to attend sessions every Saturday at Trafalgar School.
The timetable includes:
- DMG Toddler Football (15 months to 3 years) – 9:00am to 9:45am
- DMG Ballers Football (3 to 4.5 years) – 9:50am to 10:35am
- DMG Shooters Football (4.5 to 7 years) – 10:40am to 11:40am
The sessions are specifically designed to introduce children to football in a fun, pressure-free environment while supporting coordination, balance, listening skills and confidence.
Parents and carers are encouraged to get involved in the younger age groups, helping to create memorable bonding experiences while children learn through movement and play.
Sunday Sessions – Cowplain Activity Centre, Waterlooville
Additional weekend sessions will also take place every Sunday at Cowplain Activity Centre in Waterlooville.
The Sunday timetable includes:
- DMG Toddler Football (15 months to 3 years) – 9:00am to 9:45am
- DMG Ballers Football (3 to 4.5 years) – 9:50am to 10:35am
- DMG Shooters Football (4.5 to 7 years) – 10:40am to 11:40am
The Waterlooville sessions aim to provide local families with convenient access to high-quality grassroots football coaching in a welcoming and supportive setting.
Each programme is tailored to suit the developmental needs of the specific age group, ensuring children remain engaged while building confidence and key life skills through sport.
Monday Evening Football – South Downs Community College, Waterlooville
In addition to the weekend sessions, DMG Sports will also deliver evening football classes at South Downs Community College in Waterlooville.
The Monday evening timetable includes:
- Years 2 and 3 – 6:00pm to 7:00pm
- Years 3 and 4 – 6:00pm to 7:00pm
These sessions are designed for children looking to further develop their football skills in a structured and energetic coaching environment.
A Shared Vision for Grassroots Sport
DMG Sports Founder Dr Mark Gould says the launch represents another important milestone for the company and reflects its ambition to positively impact more communities across the UK.
Dr Gould believes Zach’s passion, experience and commitment to child development made him the perfect fit to lead the new franchise.
Speaking about the partnership, Dr Gould said:
“We’re absolutely delighted to be launching DMG Sports in Portsmouth and Waterlooville with Zach leading the way. From our very first conversations, it was clear that he shared our values and our passion for helping children develop through sport.”
“Zach brings fantastic coaching experience, brilliant energy and a genuine commitment to making a difference in his local community. We’ve developed a really strong relationship with him throughout the onboarding process, and we’re incredibly excited to see the impact he’s going to make.”
“At DMG Sports, we’re focused on creating experiences that children genuinely enjoy while also supporting their physical, emotional and social development. We know Zach fully believes in that mission, and that’s why we’re so excited about this launch.”
Dr Gould also highlighted the importance of accessible grassroots sports opportunities for families across Portsmouth and Waterlooville.
“Grassroots sport plays such an important role in communities. It helps children stay active, build friendships, improve confidence and develop lifelong skills. Our goal is to make high-quality coaching accessible to as many families as possible.”
“We’re proud to continue expanding across the South Coast and can’t wait to welcome families to our new sessions.”
More Than Just Football
DMG Sports sessions are built around creating positive first experiences in sport for children of all abilities.
For toddlers and younger children, sessions focus on movement, coordination and confidence-building through fun games and football-based activities. For older children, coaches introduce more technical football skills while maintaining an engaging and supportive atmosphere.
Every programme is carefully designed to ensure children stay active, challenged and motivated, regardless of previous football experience.
Coach Zach believes this approach is what makes DMG Sports unique.
“One of the things I love most about DMG Sports is that every child is welcomed and encouraged. Whether a child is naturally confident or a little shy at first, the sessions are designed to help them feel comfortable and included.”
“Football is such a powerful tool for development. You see children improve their confidence week after week, and that’s incredibly rewarding as a coach.”
“We want every child leaving our sessions smiling, feeling proud of themselves and excited to come back the following week.”
Supporting Families Across the Community
The launch also reflects growing demand from parents looking for structured, engaging activities for young children.
DMG Sports has seen significant growth in recent years as families increasingly seek programmes that combine physical activity with child development and social interaction.
The Portsmouth and Waterlooville franchise aims to become an important part of the local community, offering consistent weekly activities that children can enjoy while building friendships and confidence.
The sessions are open to children of all abilities, including complete beginners.
Parents attending the toddler sessions can also expect a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere designed to help young children develop at their own pace.
Exciting Future Plans for Portsmouth and Waterlooville
While the initial launch includes sessions across Portsmouth and Waterlooville, there are already plans to expand further across the surrounding areas as demand grows.
Coach Zach hopes to build a thriving football community that supports children throughout their early sporting journey.
“This is just the beginning. I’m really excited about building something special for local families and becoming part of the community.”
“We want children to develop a lifelong love for being active and enjoying sport. If we can help build confidence and create positive memories along the way, then we’ve done our job.”
DMG Sports also plans to continue supporting aspiring coaches and franchise owners looking to build successful sports businesses within their own communities.
Franchise Opportunities Available
As DMG Sports continues to expand nationwide, the company is actively seeking passionate individuals interested in launching their own children’s sports franchise.
The franchise model provides coaches, sports enthusiasts and aspiring business owners with the tools, training and support needed to build a successful and rewarding business within their local area.
Dr Mark Gould says the company is passionate about supporting franchisees every step of the way.
“We’re always looking for ambitious people who are passionate about working with children and making a positive impact through sport.”
“Our franchise network is built around collaboration, support and shared values. We work closely with our franchisees to help them grow successful businesses while delivering outstanding experiences for families.”
“Seeing franchisees like Zach launch in their communities is incredibly rewarding, and we’re excited to continue expanding into new areas.”
Find out more about our Franchising Opportunities here.
Book a Trial Session Today
Families across Portsmouth and Waterlooville can now book trial sessions for the new DMG Sports football classes.
Sessions are available at:
- Trafalgar School, Portsmouth - CLICK HERE
- Cowplain Activity Centre, Waterlooville - CLICK HERE
- South Downs Community College, Waterlooville - CLICK HERE
Parents interested in booking a trial session are encouraged to secure their place early as spaces are expected to fill quickly following the launch.
DMG Sports welcomes children of all abilities and experience levels, with sessions designed to ensure every child can enjoy football in a positive and supportive environment.
For families looking to get involved, or individuals interested in exploring franchise opportunities in their own area, DMG Sports encourages enquiries through its website and social media channels.
With exciting new sessions, passionate coaching and a strong commitment to child development, the Portsmouth and Waterlooville launch represents another major step forward for DMG Sports as it continues to inspire the next generation through sport.