It can be a daunting task to select the right football academy for your child. There are many options available which can add to the pressure that parents feel. You want to choose a football academy you believe will be most suited to and best for your child. There’s nothing wrong with that. The right football academy will have kids’ football coaches that help your child improve in their abilities in an environment that is positive and safe.
Children that have fun whilst playing football are more likely to develop a lifelong interest in the sport, leading to a healthy, active lifestyle. This is why choosing the right football academy matters. Good experiences have good outcomes but bad experiences will only be off-putting for a child. Fortunately, there are things you can look for in a football academy to help you choose the right one and hopefully help your child develop a healthy relationship with sport!
Quality of Coaching
If you send your child to a football academy, you want it to be worthwhile. You want coaches who are qualified and know what they’re doing. Not only is it important that they are knowledgeable about football, but they also need experience working with children too.
The approachability and interaction of coaches can have an impact on a kid’s first impression and experiences. That’s what you want to look for. Approachable coaches are easier and more open to building a relationship with the parent as well as the child attending.
Their Aim
Every football academy is different. They all have their own aims and things they want to achieve. Some are more football-centred whereas others are more player-centred. Some academies, such as Kixx, are extremely player focused and are as much about your child having a fun time as being serious about football. They want to have a positive impact on every child that attends their sessions.
Offering high-energy, creative, and age-appropriate lessons to children ensures Kixx can introduce kids to physical activity through football in a natural way whilst also encouraging social development.
Safeguarding
Parents only ever want the best for their children, which is why they’ll only enrol their children in a football academy that gives them the confidence that their children will be safe and protected. That includes consent forms and ensuring that every coach has first aid training and has undergone enhanced DBS checks. First aid training especially is important because football is still a physical contact sport, even when children are playing.
Injuries or accidents, such as sprains or twists, for instance, aren’t completely unavoidable. That’s why those delivering the sessions need to know how to treat and deal with them.
Reputation
Don’t just take in what an academy says about itself. Look at what other people have said about them, too. Ask other parents you know about their knowledge of football academies or their opinion on specific academies. If their children attend a football academy, ask them about it. Is it a good academy? Do their children enjoy being there?
People are honest, often brutally so, particularly in their ratings and reviews! Testimonials, reviews, and customer ratings show you everything you need to know about a place.
Do you have any experience with any local football academies for kids? Or do you have a child that’s into football? I would love to hear your feedback on football as a children's hobby. I think even if a child doesn’t go on to be the next Ronaldo or Messi, it’s still a great sport to get kids active and interacting with others!
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