The SPS Legacy

Our Philosophy

For more than 30 years, SPS Performance has been dedicated to helping athletes unlock their full potential through science-driven coaching and training built around the individual. What began as a passion for developing stronger, faster, more resilient athletes has grown into a trusted performance hub for rising talent and global stars alike. We combine proven methods, elite coaching, and a relentless commitment to progress to help every athlete push past limitation and build the foundation for long-term success both on and off the field.

A male athlete performs a knee exercise on a turf field, wearing sports gear including a black shirt, black shorts, and compression socks, with a resistance band around his thigh.

  • To empower athletes to reach their highest potential through expert coaching, cutting-edge training programs, and a personalized, science-backed approach.

  • To be the global benchmark in sports coaching, developing world-class athletes through science-driven training and recovery.

    • Science-Backed Approach - Every program is built on proven methodology, measurable data, and results-driven principles.

    • Individual First - We tailor every program to the athlete, built around their unique needs, goals, and sport demands.

    • Integrity in Effort - We value honesty, accountability, and a work ethic that reflects a champion mindset.

    • Stronger Together - We foster a culture of trust, support, and collaboration, empowering athletes and coaches to grow as one team.

► 30+ years of coaching

► 2,500+ athletes trained

► 10+ world champions coached

► 30+ years of coaching ► 2,500+ athletes trained ► 10+ world champions coached

Our Coaching Team

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Nic St-Maurice

Founder & Head Coach

A world-renowned strength coach with nearly two decades of experience developing elite athletes across top global sports.

  • Nic holds a BSc in Kinesiology from McGill University and is a world-renowned strength and performance coach with over 18 years of experience working with elite athletes across football, American football, and mixed martial arts. As the Founder of SPS Performance (established in 2022), he specializes in developing athletes to become faster, stronger, and more explosive. Throughout his career, Nic has worked with some of the biggest names in global sport, including Karim Benzema, Trent Alexander-Arnold, William Saliba, Paul Pogba, Antonio Rüdiger, Ryan Gravenberch, Nabil Fekir, Alexander Isak, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and Jesse Lingard.

  • BSc in Kinesiology from McGill University

  • Founder of SPS Performance and a world-renowned strength coach with over 18 years of experience training elite athletes across football, American football, and UFC. Has coached global stars such as Benzema, Alexander-Arnold, Saliba, Pogba, Rudiger, Gravenberch, Fekir, Isak, Wan-Bissaka, and Lingard.

    • Strength and Conditioning

    • Speed Development

    • Athletic Performance Optimization

Ammar Faroug

Partner & Performance Coach

Former pro basketball athlete who brings a unique blend of sports and business expertise to develop strong, high-performing athletes.

  • Ammar Faroug is an ex-professional basketball player who competed in the UAE’s top division, representing Al Jazeera Club, Al Wahda Club, and Al Wasl Club.

    Following his athletic career, Ammar transitioned into the corporate world, working with global brands such as Mars and Hershey’s, where he developed a strong understanding of business operations and leadership.

    Bringing together his professional sports background and corporate experience, Ammar offers a distinctive perspective on athlete and organizational development. His training philosophy focuses on functional strength, explosiveness, and performance efficiency, helping athletes build the physical foundation required to excel in competitive environments.

    • Bachelor’s of Business Administration from American University in Dubai

    • Master’s of Business Administration from American University in Dubai

    • Group Exercise Leader (GEL) Certified

  • Professional Basketball Player

    • Al Jazeera Club, UAE

    • Al Wasl Club, UAE

    • Al Wahda Club UAE

    Ammar has 10 years of experience working with high-level elite youth athletes.

    In addition to physical training, Ammar works as a mindset coach, helping athletes build confidence, mental toughness, focus, and game-day composure.

    • Youth Development

    • Strength & Conditioning

    • Injury Prevention

    • Sports Rehabilition

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YahIa Iraqi

Performance Coach

A former pro player who brings deep technical insight and science-based methods to elevate football performance.

  • Yahia Iraqi is a Technical Performance Specialist and former UAE top division player who combines elite playing experience with deep academic knowledge in sports performance. He holds a Sports Science degree specializing in sports performance and CFF 1, 2 & 3 coaching certifications from the French Football Federation.

    Yahia’s approach is built on precision, intelligence, and adaptability — drawing from his on-field experience to design programs that enhance both technical and tactical performance. His focus lies in Position-Specific Training, Tactical Periodization, and Athlete Development, empowering players to perform consistently at the highest level.

    • Sports Science Degree specializing in Sports Performance

    • Coaching Degrees CFF1/2 & 3 from the French Football Federation

  • Former UAE top-division football player turned performance coach. Merges professional on-field experience with academic expertise to deliver data-driven, sport-specific training that enhances technical skills and game performance.

    • Technical Performance

    • Football-Specific Training

    • Player Development

    • Sports Performance Coaching

Louis Sharpe

Football Performance Coach

Technical performance specialist with international experience, coaching athletes through tactical insight, and holistic development.

  • Louis Sharpe is a Technical Performance Specialist with a strong background in player development and tactical performance. Holding The FA Level 3 (UEFA B) License in Coaching Football, a BA (Hons) in Football Coaching and Management, and a Certificate in Player Care, Louis combines technical expertise with a holistic approach to player growth.

    His experience spans internationally across clubs including Watford FC (UK), Manchester City FC (UK), Dubai City FC (UAE), and Challenger Sports (USA). Louis specializes in Technical Performance, Position-Specific Training, Tactical Periodization and Planning, and Player Care & Education, helping athletes maximize their potential both on and off the pitch.

    • FA Level 3 (UEFA B) License

    • BA (Honours) in Football Coaching and Management

    • Certificate in Player Care

  • Coach Louis has experience working at multiple clubs including:

    • Watford FC (UK)

    • Manchester City (UK)

    • Dubai City FC (UAE)

    • Challenger Sports (USA)

    • Technical Performance

    • Position-Specific Training

    • Tactical Periodization & Planning

    • Player Care & Education

Awards & Certifications

Our staff holds top-tier coaching awards and certifications that keep our training sharp, informed, and effective. These credentials reflect real expertise, current best practices, and a commitment to delivering high-level coaching every session. At SPS, athletes work with coaches who are qualified, knowledgeable, and ready to push athletes forward.

Level 3 UEFA B License

CFF 1/2/3 COaching Degrees

Results that speak for themselves

At SPS, every program is built on evidence, not opinion. Our training protocols are guided by sports science, biomechanics, and data-driven progress tracking, ensuring every session leads to measurable improvement. From force output and recovery time to endurance and injury prevention, our methods are tested, refined, and proven to deliver results you can see and feel.

Our Team of Experts

Backed by university degrees and a collective passion for unlocking athletic potential, our coaches, trainers, and physios are the driving force behind your journey to greatness. With a commitment to excellence, we offer personalized support that goes beyond conventional training.

Comprehensive Assistance

In collaboration with our partners across Dubai, we ensure every aspect of your experience is seamless and world-class, from accommodations and transport to arranging the best pitches, recovery facilities, and activities for your team.

Trusted by sports icons

It’s no coincidence that the biggest names in global sport have chosen SPS Performance for years. Athletes like Karim Benzema, Dele Alli, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Nabil Fekir, Michy Batshuayi, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, William Saliba, and Wilfried Zaha have all entrusted their training and performance to our team.

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Wherever I am in the world, SPS always made it very easy for me to get professional level training

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