One of the most undervalued ways that playing sport – and particularly football – can help children is through its social aspect. Here SoccerKidz, who offer soccer for kids in London, explain how youth football training sessions can help youngsters find and make new friends.

Finding a Common Interest

Just by enrolling in a course like ours, a child will find that they have a common interest in football with the other children, which should help break the ice.

Taking part in extracurricular activities like football will also bring your child into contact with more children, beyond those in their class at school or on your street. This can be extended into more specific areas. They may develop additional bonds with players on their team, or who play in their position (whether it’s as a goalkeeper, defender, midfielder or attacker), or who support the same team that they do.

This may be particularly beneficial if your child is naturally shy, or struggles to shine in an academic setting. Excelling on the soccer pitch may improve their behaviour and achievements in the classroom.

Having a Common Goal

It’s essential in any team sport that you work together towards a common goal, whether that’s scoring a goal, a try, winning a point, or (in cricket) scoring a run or getting someone out.

Children quickly realise that is much easier to achieve something if they work together with their teammates and learn to trust them, something which can easily turn into a lasting friendship. This applies to all children – even the naturally extroverted or more gifted sporting types should benefit from encouraging those who are more introverted or less able, just as it does the other way round.

Improving Communication

Any child who plays football in a safe and fun environment will feel more open to communicating with, socialising with, and interacting with their teammates, particularly if they are the same age.

The coaches should also stress the importance of respect, teamwork and problem-solving (towards the aforementioned common goal). Playing in a team will increase their social awareness and understanding of others as well.

Having Fun

It’s essential that that your child enjoys playing football, otherwise they won’t want to come back for next week’s session or a game. Sport England also points out that if children have positive associations with their football coaching sessions, or whatever sport they are involved in, then they are more likely to continue to be active as they grow into adulthood.

SoocerKidz also run football parties in and around London. These put the emphasis on having a good time (not just for the birthday boy or girl). You can choose between our gold, silver and bronze packages. Whichever you choose, everyone gets a certificate or medal at the end of the day, and there will be plenty of fun-filled football activities for everyone to enjoy. You can learn more about our parties by clicking here.

Soccer for Kids in London with SoccerKidz

At SoccerKidz we will do everything we can to make your child’s youth football training sessions as enjoyable as possible. We offer weekend, evening, and after-school clubs as well as a number of school-specific activities such as PPA cover, breakfast clubs and lunchtime activities.

For the more gifted footballers, we offer 1-1 coaching and a gifted and talented program. Our qualifications and contacts in the game can help if your child is good enough to make a career out of the sport. And remember, we welcome girls as well as boys on our courses.

Children from Broxbourne, Barnet, Cheshunt, Enfield, Haringey, Welwyn Hatfield and many other towns and villages in the area have all enjoyed one or more of our courses. We also offer other sports if your child prefers another sport – check out our after-school multisport activities.

All our coaches are FA or UEFA qualified, insured, DBS checked, and trained in Emergency First Aid and child protection.

If you would like to know more about any of our courses, follow this link and fill in the online contact form. Alternatively, you can call us directly on 07946 260945.