The Gergis Family, known as the “Gergis Gang,” came to Sudbury from the United Kingdom, a place where a franchise known as Little Kickers offers soccer classes to little ones interested in the game.
When they arrived in Canada, first to Quebec and then to Sudbury, their children — Matthew, now 14, Jonathan, who’s now 8, and Olivia, now 5 — wanted to play their favourite sport.
The family were looking for a class that would take children as young as 18 months.
And so, father Steve Gergis told Sudbury.com he decided it was time to bring Little Kickers to Canada. They will be hosting their first class on Nov. 6, indoors at 1127 Bancroft Dr. in Sudbury.
“We had always wanted to do something to engage children in the local community, and to run our own business,” Gergis said.
“We have always loved soccer, and were a little frustrated that none of the local clubs run classes from age 18 months so we decided to take on the Little Kickers franchise.”
The Little Kickers pre-school soccer program first started more than 15 years ago in London, UK.
Since then, the program has grown phenomenally, and with a network of 2,250 coaches in 32 countries, Gergis said it is now considered the world’s biggest and most successful pre-school soccer academy.
The program was developed by child health specialists in conjunction with UK FA qualified coaches, and works on the basis that children are much more likely to learn if their imaginations are engaged and skills are introduced through games, rather than formal drills.
The company’s motto “Play not Push” reflects this, and the emphasis that Little Kickers place on providing a fun environment for children to learn in, rather than a competitive one.
Gergis has more than 20 years experience coaching soccer, and his wife, Rita, has two decades of teaching experience. She said she has always believed that play builds the child’s brain.
“Moving, playing and having fun is the best way to build a strong character,” she said.
When she was in England she was the first to start a soccer club for girls in the school where she was working. This club is still going until today.
If you would like more information, or to register with Little Kickers, check out the website at Littlekickers.ca or email Steve and Rita Gergis at [email protected].
Jenny Lamothe is a reporter with Sudbury.com. She covers the diverse communities of Sudbury, especially the vulnerable or marginalized, including the Black, Indigenous, newcomer and Francophone communities, as well as 2SLGBTQ+ and issues of the downtown core.
