A new approach to soccer gets kids and parents playing together

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With the longer and warmer days of summer upon us, many parents are looking for ways to get their kids outside for exercise and fresh air. After a successful fall and winter, the SoccerTots program is gearing up for it's first summer session.

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The SoccerTots program is a new way for young kids to learn about this great sport.

"In the fall we expected around 30 kids and we ended up with 107," says Patrick Leger, director of the local Soccer Tots program, based out of the Dundee Sports Dome. "The second session in March, we had 347.

"For the summer, we have over 300 children total between Moncton, Riverview and Dieppe. We knew the numbers would be down a little bit in the summer, because there are so many options for kids during these months. We do expect the number to grow to over 500 in the fall."

Soccer Tots originally began in Spokane, Washington eight years ago and has gradually spread across the United States. The program has experienced steady growth in each successive year and finally crossed into Canada in 2008. The program is designed with young kids in mind, but parents are also expected to participate, to help their children enjoy and take part.

"It's one class per week for 40 minutes for each child," says Patrick. "The age range goes from 18 months to six years old and each group of eight to 12 students is divided by age with one coach per group. Parents have to participate as well, so it's a parent and child program really which is really appealing to many people."

With more children using computers and other technology and becoming less active, the main goal of SoccerTots is for the children to get active and to have fun.

"Our program uses fun activities and games to introduce soccer to these children," explains Patrick. "For example, we won't just make them run, we'll roll a hoop and have them chase it and bring it back. We're not here to develop athletes, we want them to have fun. We play several different games per class, so we keep them active and hold their attention."

The benefits of children being involved in organized sports of some kind when they are younger are well known as well.

"A lot of kids these days aren't as active and this is a way to get them active and enjoying sports," says Patrick. "If they start when they're young, they're more likely to stay active as they get older."

The summer session for the Soccer Tots program will run for eight weeks with a cost of $75 per child. Registration fees cover all expenses and include a t-shirt which the children get to keep at summer's end.

Classes begin at 6 or 6:45 p.m. depending on the age of your child. For more information on SoccerTots, visit www.soccertots.net or for specific questions about the local classes, contact Patrick at 382-7529.