Children get active with Little Kickers
TODDLERS have been given the opportunity to spend some time outdoors.
The Little Kickers programme has introduced a ‘play not push’ attitude for children with a positive, fun-filled programme in a friendly, pressure-free environment.
According to chief coach and owner of the Sandton franchise of Little Kickers, Savvas Mallotas, children will learn invaluable social skills like listening, sharing, taking turns and teamwork.
“These skills are conscientiously woven into an involving programme that places as much emphasis on simple learning concepts like colours and numbers as it does on fine-tuning a child’s basic balance, agility and co-ordination,” said Mallotas.
It is guided by the Football Association, qualified coaches, nursery school teachers, child health specialists and proactive parents, and works as an activity that teaches fundamental football techniques and elementary life skills in a vibrant, group play environment.
Mallotas has encouraged parents to push their children to play outdoors, whether they are training at home or at Little Kickers.
He does not see the programme as a soccer club, but instead as a fun and active day out for children.
According to Mallotas, his current focus is on getting children back into enjoying outdoor activities again.
He is also trying to prevent the privatisation of parks which, he said, could “potentially destroy the parks if put into the wrong hands”. He believes that if the community no longer runs recreation centres and park facilities, the government may use the land for commercial development, and there will be no outdoor spaces to use.
For now he plans to focus on Ernest Ullmann Park in Morningside and Hamilton Park in Bryanston, but he is always looking for the next big venue to accommodate everyone, from all walks of life.
