Parents in Greater Sudbury can now enroll their children in a unique preschool soccer academy designed to prepare them for the big world of soccer when they turn eight. Little Kickers, a British-based soccer academy, has expanded its reach to Sudbury, offering classes for children aged 18 months to seven years old.
Little Kickers was founded in the UK in 2002 by Christine Stanschus, who noticed a gap in the market when trying to find preschool soccer classes for her son. With child obesity becoming a hot topic, Stanschus created the program herself. The focus was on building a brand around "fun first" and working with experts in child development and FA-qualified soccer coaches.
Later in Sudbury, The Gergis family, consisting of qualified coaches Steve and Rita, noticed a significant need for year-round soccer programs for young children in the region. They observed that while summer soccer programs are available, more are needed for those who wish to take the sport seriously. As immigrants from England, the Gergis' noticed that Sudbury is behind other parts of Europe regarding soccer development. This realization was one of the primary reasons for their decision to bring a British soccer academy to the area. The couple believes that the academy will allow children to develop their skills and pursue their passion for the sport. Additionally, with the rise of anxiety among children due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they recognize the importance of sports in helping young people to stay active and engaged.
In August of last year, setting up the new locations began. The head office provided training while the coaches started looking for insurance and gym halls to rent. The start date for the new classes was chosen to coincide with the beginning of the FIFA world cup in November. The initial stages of setting up were successful, and the program has expanded since then. However, finding coaches that are a good fit has been a challenge.
"With us, you have to come down to the child level, put a silly hat on, walk like a penguin, or jump like a frog. We are always looking for fun coaches, and with more classes offered in the summer, we are hiring now. We got a lot of requests if we had French-speaking coaches, so now we make sure to have one at each class," said Gergis.
Little Kickers offers four soccer classes tailored to a diverse age group. The child earns a badge every three months to iron on their shirt, and the academy offers 24 badges for children to collect. It is the only preschool soccer academy in Greater Sudbury to provide programs for children as young as 18 months old.
The academy runs classes all year, both indoors and outdoors, and does not limit soccer to just the summer months. The focus is on getting children ready for soccer when they turn eight and not on playing league games. As a result, no league games are offered, and no business logos are permitted on the academy's shirts.
"This group of coaches is amazing, knowledgeable and welcoming. My son only speaks French and can be socially awkward and shy, and even during his first class, he thrived and wanted to go back again (which for him doesn't usually happen). He understood everything they said (many coaches spoke French) and already understood the game's concept. They made him feel extra special from the moment he walked in until we left," shared one parent
The academy's approach is centered on two core beliefs: "Play not Push," which means teaching soccer in a fun, pressure-free environment, and the belief that soccer can be educational, stimulating imagination and aiding early development skills such as learning colours and numbers, following instructions, and playing as a team.
Soccer is one of the fastest-growing sports in Canada, and with Canada's men's and women's teams making the World Cup, interest in soccer will likely continue to grow. Little Kickers offers a unique opportunity for young children in Greater Sudbury to develop fundamental soccer skills at a very young age and get them excited about the sport.
For more details reach call 705-805-1775, email [email protected] or follow their facebook page facebook.com/littlekickersgreatersudbury.
For class schedule near you: www.littlekickers.ca/find-a-class
Little Kickers is hiring coaches – Link to apply: https://www.sudbury.com/classifieds/careers/seasonal/1769326