About Us
Jan Åge organized his first soccer school in his hometown of Gursken in 1990. We collaborate with local sports clubs to create great experiences for children. Over the years, we have hosted soccer schools all over Norway, as well as in England. In 2023, we also held our first Athletics School, and we plan to expand this and explore other sports in the future.
These are not elite schools just for the best. Although we are proud that several national champions have attended our schools, our programs are for all children aged 5 to 12. The goal of our schools is to inspire children to remain a part of sports for as long as possible. Not everyone can be the best, but everyone can get better.
The costs of participating in sports have significantly increased in recent years. That's why we take pride in offering free participation to all students in our schools. In recent years, Markus Garborg Fjørtoft has joined the leadership of the schools.
Meet the Team
Jan Åge Fjørtoft, Founder
Jan Åge grew up grew up in the small village of Gursken, on the western coast of Norway. In a community without a football field, the first one was established when Jan Åge was 11 years old. He and his friends played on the fields around the fjord. At the age of 16, he transferred to Hødd, and just one year later, he made his debut at level 2 in the Norwegian league system. This marked the beginning of a long and illustrious career. His international journey took him from Austria to the English Premier League and eventually to the Bundesliga in Germany.
Simultaneously, Jan Åge represented the Norwegian national football team, earning 71 caps, captaining the side 15 times, and scoring 20 goals. His contributions were pivotal in securing Norway's qualification for the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the USA. In total, Jan Åge played 614 senior-level matches and netted 308 goals.
Following his football career, Jan Åge established his own communication company and worked in media across various countries. He also served as the manager of Lillestrøm Sportsklubb and the Norwegian national team. Additionally, Jan Åge led a government-appointed committee that delivered a report on the future of sports.
Markus Fjørtoft, Partner
Markus Fjortoft's life journey has taken him to seven countries, where he played professionally on three continents for five different clubs. He also earned a couple of degrees from Duke University before retiring at the age of 28 to explore new opportunities.
Markus embarked on his professional soccer career after being drafted by the Seattle Sounders in the 2018 MLS Draft. He played in New Zealand and subsequently spent three impactful years in Scotland, playing for Hamilton Academical, Greenock Morton, and Ayr United in the Scottish Premiership and Championship.
Today, Markus is actively engaged in various ventures. He works for the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA), hosts the German Fussball Podcast alongside his father and manages his own sports and entertainment company, TwentyOne.