| y's media we are constantly being reminded of a | | | | early age fosters a great attitude for the game and |
| health time bomb that is about to explode as children | | | | this attitude grows with them into later life. |
| today are not active enough. | | | | One of the biggest reasons why kids play soccer is |
| The youngsters of today have so many choices that | | | | to enjoy themselves and have fun; if soccer is fun |
| compete for their attention and can lead to a | | | | and enjoyable then players will want to continue |
| lethargic lifestyle including computers, video games, | | | | playing. This benefits their overall fitness and reduces |
| multi channel TV to name a few. | | | | their health risks considerably. |
| Soccer is the beautiful game, played by millions of | | | | In today's world, Soccer is made fun by coaches |
| young girls and boys (aged 6 to 18) across many | | | | worldwide who willingly give up their time to organise |
| continents; whether it's on the beaches of Rio, the | | | | youth soccer practice and coach teams. |
| back alleys of a major city or the local park you'll find | | | | Gone are the days when soccer was an 11 a side |
| someone kicking a football around. | | | | game for the really young players with offside rules |
| In today's society there has been a shift to more | | | | and no touches of the ball for massive periods of the |
| organised soccer practice for our youth players. In | | | | game. Youth soccer from the age of 6 to 11 is |
| days gone by any piece of grass or street corner | | | | typically about having fun, playing small sided matches |
| provided a pitch and clothing or a school bag served | | | | such as 4 v 4 with no goal keepers, promoting lots |
| as goal posts; however, today cars rule many | | | | of touches of the ball and player interaction on the |
| streets and the building boom has lead to houses or | | | | pitch. |
| apartments being built on those same grass areas. | | | | Through playing soccer, and encouraging children to |
| Having a more structured approach is both a good | | | | take regular exercise, many of the risk factors that |
| and a bad thing. | | | | are associated with heart disease such as obesity |
| On one hand young players get structured | | | | and diabetes can be reduced significantly. Since 1976 |
| development and education through willing volunteers | | | | research undertaken has shown that obesity in our |
| who show them how to warm up correctly, develop | | | | children has increased by more than fifty percent, a |
| their technical ability with the ball and progress this | | | | frightening statistic. |
| into skill development where decision making and skill | | | | Getting your child involved in soccer doesn't just |
| execution are required. Plus, organised small sided | | | | improve their health. |
| games wrap everything up together to provide a | | | | Social benefits, such as mixing with others, having to |
| total learning experience. | | | | work as a team, contributing through individual effort |
| On the other hand, time is often limited and maybe | | | | to a collective goal, experiencing the highs and lows, |
| an hour or two is devoted to structured soccer | | | | picking each other up, competition, striving to be the |
| practice during the week, what happens when | | | | best, aiming to win, supporting and helping others are |
| practice is over? | | | | all by products of playing soccer. |
| Getting your child to participate in an organised | | | | Many of the life skills that the players learn through |
| soccer school or club can bring tremendous benefits | | | | soccer are beneficial in later life such as how to form |
| to you and your child. Soccer can help increase your | | | | and build relationships, developing a sense of |
| child's self esteem that feeds their self talk which | | | | co-operation, how to lead people, how to handle |
| ultimately drives their performance. | | | | adversity, what commitment means and punctuality |
| Soccer isn't the only winner, quite often academic | | | | all of which are key qualities and will benefit the |
| performance can increase too! | | | | players in adult life. |
| Research shows that children playing soccer at an | | | | |