Who We Are
Stepping Stone Sports Academy was founded by brothers Waqqash Mowlana and Sakkaf Mowlana, who together bring over 15 years of coaching experience in youth football. We created this academy to provide children with high-quality football coaching that develops not only their skills, but also their confidence, discipline, character and love for the game.
We believe football is more than a sport, it’s a powerful tool for shaping responsible, confident and resilient young people.
Our Story
Our journey began at Bealonians Football Club, where Waqqash spent over a decade coaching and managing youth teams from U12s to U18s. Under his leadership, the teams achieved major milestones, including:
- AFA Youth Cup Runners-Up (U14)
- Top 8 in Essex County (U18)
During those years, Waqqash noticed a common problem; many coaches focused only on winning, often forgetting the most important part: player development.
This inspired Waqqash to research youth development during his Master’s degree, exploring:
- FA youth guidelines
- Coaching quality
- Best practices for developing young athletes
This led him to adopt the 6Cs Positive Youth Development model: Confidence, Competence, Connections, Character, Caring, and Contribution which now forms the foundation of our coaching philosophy.
Sakkaf, who captained the Bealonians team during those same years, was a living example of the 6Cs; growing from a young player into a leader through discipline, confidence, and teamwork. Today, he brings 5+ years of coaching experience, working in schools, running sessions for children as young as 2, and helping young players develop through structured, engaging training.
Together, we aim to give back to the community by helping children grow into capable footballers and strong individuals.
OUR VISION & MISSION
Develop Skilled, Confident Players
We aim to build an academy where every child learns strong football skills while developing confidence, character, and a love for the game.
A Trusted, Values-Driven Academy
Our goal is to combine technical training with personal growth, helping young players become respectful and motivated individuals on and off the pitch.
High-Quality Coaching with Purpose
We deliver structured sessions focused on skills, teamwork, and positive behaviour. Using the 6C model, we create an environment where children feel supported and inspired.
Helping Every Child Reach Their Potential
Through encouragement and strong values, we help players grow as athletes and individuals; building habits of leadership, respect, and resilience.
Our Coaching Approach
We follow a player-centred approach focused on skill progression, game understanding, and personal growth.
Our coaching emphasises:
- Positive reinforcement
- High-quality technical training
- Discipline and respect
- Teamwork and communication
- Safe, supportive learning environment
- Guided discovery (helping kids learn through doing)
Coaches are FA qualified, DBS-checked, and trained in safeguarding and first aid, ensuring a professional and safe experience for every child.
Our Future Vision
Our long-term vision includes:
- Introducing multi-sport programmes
- Running holiday camps
- Offering 1-to-1 personal coaching
- Expanding sessions to include more age groups
- Building a strong, values-driven youth sports community
Stepping Stone Sports Academy is designed to grow with your child, helping them take positive steps every week.