Freestyle star Jay Rosa to relaunch Football Academy across Hertfordshire this January
This January, children across Hertfordshire will have the opportunity to learn from one of the UK’s most celebrated freestyle footballers.
Jay Rosa, renowned for his viral performances and national tours, is relaunching the Jay Rosa Academy, a programme designed to combine elite football coaching with personal development and support for mental well-being.
Jay Rosa’s football journey is as impressive as his freestyle career. An ex-academy player for Norwich City and Stevenage FC, he was personally coached by Dutch football legend Dennis Bergkamp, experiences that helped shape his technical skill and understanding of elite player development.
Over the years, he has captivated audiences across the country with his creativity and mastery of freestyle football. Now, he is using that expertise to help young players develop their technical skills, ball control, and tactical understanding, while also building confidence, resilience, and teamwork on the pitch.
The academy is now officially sponsored by Dan Gaze Support Services, known nationally for their work with children and young people. The organisation focuses on mentoring, mental health, and youth empowerment. Together with Jay Rosa, they are creating a safe and structured environment in which children can enjoy football while developing emotional resilience and social skills.
The academy welcomes boys and girls aged five and upwards. Sessions combine football and freestyle coaching with games, challenges, competitions and tournaments.
While participants develop technique and flair, they are also encouraged to work on teamwork, self-confidence and coping strategies—skills that extend far beyond the football pitch. Parents can be confident that the programme places equal emphasis on personal growth and well-being as it does on football performance.
“The Academy isn’t just about skills and freestyle moves,” says Jay Rosa.
“It’s about helping children to believe in themselves and develop resilience in a supportive, structured environment. With Dan Gaze Support Services alongside us, every child leaves feeling confident, proud and inspired.”
The academy launches on 5 January 2026, with sessions in five Hertfordshire locations: Hitchin, Watford, Stevenage, Hemel Hempstead, and St Albans. Pre-registration is now open, giving families the opportunity to secure places in a programme that combines professional coaching with a focus on mental well-being and life skills.
By combining Jay Rosa’s world-class freestyle experience, his professional football background, and a structured approach to personal development, the academy exemplifies a growing trend in sport: programmes that cultivate both athletic talent and emotional resilience, helping children to thrive both on and off the field.
For further details, visit www.jayrosa.com. Families can secure a place for their child by pre-registering at jayrosaacademy.classforkids.io.