England may not have won the recent FIFA World Cup but high publicity football events, like the World Cup and the Lionesses' success earlier this summer at the Euros, mean we usually see interest surge in football. For many kids, these tournaments will be their first taste of international events and it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement!
If your child has caught football fever, what opportunities are available closer to home, or here in Yorkshire? The good news is that junior football is alive and well in Yorkshire with plenty of chances for both parents and children to get involved. From supporting Yorkshire clubs to kid’s football academies, and a thriving grassroots junior league, here are a few ways your child can access their new-found hobby.
Kids Football In Yorkshire
Across Yorkshire, there are tonnes of opportunities for children to get involved in football. If your child has caught world cup fever and is showing an interest in football, here are some ways they can get involved in our county.
Friendly Kick About
The first and most obvious way for your child to get involved in football would be for them to get out there and start kicking a ball with their friends. Encourage children to organise themselves into sides when playing and they will pick up valuable skills such as teamwork. This is a great low-commitment option if you are unsure whether your child will continue to play football.
If you have a garden at home or a local park you can visit, supporting and encouraging your child to get outside and practice with a ball is one of the best things you can do, especially if your child is very young and needs to first get to grips with coordination.
School
Most schools now have their own football teams, or at the very least will incorporate ball games into PE lessons. Depending on the school, teams may play other schools, teaching kids a brilliant lesson in good sportsmanship, increasing their confidence and helping them to make friends. Some schools do still have separate boys’ and girls' teams, but generally under 11’s teams are not gendered in school.
Football Academies
If your child wants to get more involved with out-of-school football, football academies for kids are a great place to start. Kixx has numerous clubs right across Yorkshire, offering classes for children aged from 18 months right to ten years old. Professionally organised and encouraging children to develop multiple life skills in addition to improving their game, Kixx is the ideal way to give your child a taste of what it’s like to play for an organised team.
At this foundation stage, it’s important that children enjoy what they are doing so there is a large focus on fun as well as skill development.
Junior Leagues
If your child is starting to think more seriously about football, they may want to join a junior league. There are four FA counties in Yorkshire (and the Humber) with opportunities for kids of different ages and skill levels. Each club will have different teams, offering opportunities to both boys and girls. Take a look at Yorkshire And The Humber Grassroots Football for more information.
Grassroots league football is also traditionally where football academies scout for young talent for professional youth clubs.
Go To Matches
Of course, getting involved in football doesn’t mean just playing! If your child is showing an interest in football, taking them to a football match is a great way to help develop their interest in the sport and also increases all-important bonding time. Yorkshire have some great teams to go and cheer on, including Leeds United and Sheffield Wednesday!
To further increase their interest, organise time to watch football matches at home on television, and show your child football clips or some of the greatest football moments, many of which you can find on YouTube.
Supporting Your Child To Play
If you as a parent are football mad yourself, it’s natural you would want your child to share your passion for the game, but it’s important to remember that your child needs to naturally show an interest in football. Of course, you can encourage this at home, but it should never feel forced.
Equally, if your child has developed a passion for football, and you aren't that bothered about the beautiful game, support them as best you can by maximising the opportunities they have access to and committing to take them to and from games, or classes.
If you both love football, then you’re in a win-win situation!
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