Sports coaching business scores £56,000 funding boost

Nottingham-based sports coaching company Kaizen Sports Group has secured £56,000 to facilitate its growth plans.

The firm – the brainchild of pro cricketer Ant Botha and professional hockey player Katie Botha – has been handed the boost by First Enterprise – Enterprise Loans through Big Society Capital’s (BSC) Community Investment Enterprise Facility (CIEF).

Kaizen will use the funding to establish a training crease where cricketers will receive one-to-one coaching and support. Some of the cash will also be used to install training creases and nets for other clubs wishing to upgrade their facilities.

Ant and Katie Botha said: “The loan really helped both sides of our business. Having recently relocated the cricket coaching business to our new premises, we were able to build a state-of-the-art training crease and nets that will greatly help us in developing the next generation of cricket professionals. The business also installs these facilities for other cricket clubs, and the loan has helped in securing the best equipment and materials we need, ready to fulfil our busy order book for the 2023 cricket season and beyond.”

Stefan Nycz, investment manager at First Enterprise – Enterprise Loans, said: “It’s been an absolute pleasure to work with Katie and Anthony. They are clearly committed to their business, and they both love what they do. It’s warming to think that this funding will be helping to develop new talent for future generations of female and male cricketers.”

Victoria Crisp, investment manager at Big Society Capital, added: “Businesses like Kaizen Sports Group play a vital role in society by creating and sustaining jobs for local people and supporting local economic activity – very often for disadvantaged areas. However, getting the finance they need from high street banks is becoming increasingly challenging due to current economic conditions.

“This is where Community Development Finance Institutions (CDFIs) like First Enterprise come in – which help make finance more accessible to underserved founders and business leaders. We are delighted to have supported First Enterprise in making this investment through our CIEF fund, and we look forward to seeing how Kaizen Sports Group continues to thrive.”