Foundation
Ball mastery, coordination and instilling a lifelong love for the game.
- Weekly structured sessions
- Term-based programme
- Certified coaching staff
- End-of-term showcases
01 Person before player
A Cape Town soccer development school fusing FC Barcelona's possession-based football with the creativity and flair of African football. Rooted in Hout Bay. U8 through U15+.
The person before the player.
S2F ManifestoCore Philosophy
At S2F, we develop the person before we develop the player. Character, discipline and resilience are not by-products of our coaching — they are the foundation of it.
02 About the founder
Founder & Head Coach, S2F · Head of Sport, Ambleside School (Hout Bay)
Nathan Daniels is a Cape Town-based coach with over 8 years of experience developing youth players across the Cape Peninsula. Holding a SAFA D Licence, FA Talent Identification certification and having studied FC Barcelona's coaching methodology through the Barça Innovation Hub, 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 Soccer 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. Named Coach of the Season in 2019 with Ocean View FC U12, Nathan blends European structure with African creativity — building technically intelligent, mentally resilient footballers who are ready for whatever comes next.
Credentials & certifications
Fluid transitions and quick combination play. Players learn to keep the ball, move it with purpose, and read the game in motion — the foundation of the Barça philosophy.
Training players to see before they receive. Recognising space, scanning constantly, and making the next decision before the ball arrives.
Freedom of expression is non-negotiable. The European framework gives players structure — the African instinct gives them voice. We coach both, deliberately.
Developing the person before the player. Character, discipline and self-belief earned through structure, repetition and care.
04 Pathway programmes
Three age-banded programmes 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 and instilling a lifelong love for the game.
05 Life at S2F
Real sessions. Real players. Captured at training and matches across the Cape Peninsula — this is what development looks like, week in and week out.


















Photography from across the 2025–2026 season · Hout Bay, Cape Town
06 Transparent pricing
No hidden fees. No contact-us-for-pricing games. Pay weekly, monthly or quarterly — whichever fits your family.
Weekly
R350/week
Flexible week-to-week. Ideal for families testing the fit.
Monthly
R1,300/month
Best balance of cost and consistency. The standard S2F commitment.
Quarterly
R2,500/quarter
Term-aligned. Best value for full-season consistency.
07 The coaching team
Three coaches. Three decades of combined experience. One philosophy — develop the person before the player.
Founder & Head Coach
Head of Sport at Ambleside School. SAFA D Licence holder. Studied FC Barcelona's coaching methodology through the Barça Innovation Hub. Named Coach of the Season in 2019 with Ocean View FC U12. 8+ years developing youth players across the Cape Peninsula.
Legacy Phase Coach
Former Bafana Bafana midfielder and ex-Ajax Cape Town player. A Puma-sponsored athlete who brings top-flight South African experience and a culture of high standards to every Legacy session.
Intermediate Phase Coach
Former Ajax Cape Town youth player and technical development specialist. Kenan's focus is the technical detail that turns promising U11–U14 players into intelligent, composed footballers.
Early-career role · Sessional
A development-track role for a younger goalkeeper or aspiring coach — not a salaried senior position. What you get: real coaching hours, hands-on weekly experience and direct mentorship from Coach Nathan. A genuine first step into youth football coaching.
Apply to coach08 Player pathways
Every player who walks through our door leaves a better footballer and a stronger person. Some go on to play in Spain. Others lead their school first team. Both are wins.
Featured pathway
Hout Bay → CD Leganés U19, Spain
"S2F taught me to play the game with structure and freedom — the technical detail that travels with you, and the belief that I belonged on the bigger stages."
Closer to home, S2F players are represented across ABC league clubs and school first teams throughout the Cape Peninsula — proof that the development works at every level.
09 Philosophy & values
A people-first philosophy applied to every session, every player, every age band. Disciplined in system. Expressive in execution. Rooted in the Cape Peninsula.
Discipline, resilience and respect — earned, not given.
Every player has a plan. Every drill has a purpose.
Rooted in Hout Bay. Shaped by the Cape Peninsula.
European structure. African creativity. No compromise on either.
10 What parents say
The people who see the change at the dinner table — not just on the pitch. In their own words, unedited.
I am deeply grateful for the impact Coach Nathan has had on my son and all the boys at S2F. What makes him exceptional is that he invests in them not only as football players, but as young men.
The time, care and attention he gives to each individual child is remarkable. His patience, passion and commitment to developing character, confidence, perseverance and resilience are evident in everything he does. He teaches lessons that go far beyond the football field, helping these boys build strength of mind as well as body.
Positive male role models are so important in a young boy's life, and Coach Nathan embodies the values we hope our sons will carry with them as they grow. He challenges them, supports them and believes in them, creating an environment where they can thrive both as athletes and as people.
I feel incredibly fortunate that my son has found a coach and mentor like Nathan. The influence he has on these boys will extend far beyond their years at S2F, and for that I am truly thankful.
I want to express my sincere gratitude for the incredible impact Coach Nathan has had on my son. Lately, I've noticed a massive boost in his confidence on the pitch. Because of this newfound confidence, he is truly starting to reach his full potential.
Instead of waiting to be told what to do throughout a game, he is now making his own informed decisions and reading the play beautifully. Thank you for creating an environment where he can grow not just as a player, but as an independent decision-maker!
We have been incredibly fortunate to have Jack coached by Nate and the team at Start to Finish.
What stands out most is that Nate's focus extends far beyond developing football skills. He genuinely cares about the boys as individuals and is committed to helping them grow into confident, respectful and well-rounded young people, both on and off the field. His calm, patient and encouraging approach creates an environment where every child feels supported, valued and motivated to do their best.
Nate has built an outstanding coaching team who share the same values and dedication. The coaches work tirelessly to develop the boys' technical ability, game understanding and confidence, while ensuring that training remains enjoyable and engaging. The progress we have seen in Jack's skills, discipline and love for the game has been remarkable.
What makes Start to Finish so special is the balance between excellence and character development. The boys are taught teamwork, resilience, sportsmanship and respect alongside football technique — lessons that will serve them well throughout their lives.
The coach's passion for the game and genuine investment in every child is evident in everything he does. Start to Finish is much more than a football club; 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.
Nate and the S2F team have been absolutely brilliant with my boys. You can tell this is more than just a football school — the coaches genuinely care about the kids, not just the game. Nate leads by example, brings top-quality coaching to every session, and makes each one feel like it truly matters to him. The perfect mix of fun, structure, discipline, and performance.
After O'Shea's experience at his previous soccer club, he lost much of the joy he once had for the game. As a parent, it was difficult to watch because soccer had always been something he loved. We explored several options, and he even attended trials at some very well-established clubs, but something was missing. The passion, excitement, and confidence simply weren't there anymore.
Everything changed when he joined Start 2 Finish under Coach Nate's guidance. Although O'Shea has only been part of the development team for a short time, the difference has been remarkable. Coach Nate and Coach Kenan have not only helped rebuild his confidence and focus but have also reignited the joy he once had for soccer. They have a unique ability to see the potential in a player, nurture it, and create an environment where children feel encouraged, supported, and motivated to grow.
What has impressed me most is that at S2F they focus on more than just developing soccer skills. They help young players believe in themselves. Through encouragement, patience, and dedication, O'Shea has started to trust his natural ability again and has rediscovered his love for the game.
As a parent, there is no greater gift than seeing your child excited to attend training, eager to learn, and confident in their own abilities. I would wholeheartedly recommend Coach Nate and Start 2 Finish to any parent looking for a development program that genuinely invests in the growth, confidence, and potential of young players.
Nate has brought about a tremendous improvement in our son's game with the care and attention he puts into training and the development of players. He is well-respected by the players and gives each individual attention and guidance on how to progress, without applying undue pressure.
This is done in a nurturing way that makes the players feel valued — providing both confidence in their ability and the understanding that hard work is the only route to success. Our son values the time he has at training with Nate and always looks forward to the sessions, which are engaging for the players and well thought-out.
11 Ready to start
One 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.