If you’re a new participant, before you book please email us to check availability of places.
For prices or to book a session click here… 
For birthday parties click here…
For holiday clubs click here…
Foundation activities for a child’s first discovery and joy of the game.
“Thanks for the taster session last week I thought the lesson was really good and I liked the coaches that ran it, they were brilliant with the children. Wishing you all the best, we think you’re running an amazing club that has a brilliant reputation in the town.”
Amy – Footy Cub Mum
For further details on our Footy Cubs and Teams sessions see below. For schedule information and bookings see our online shop.
About our Foundation sessions We pride ourselves in giving the best value, best quality, and best structured young childrens’ football activities. Our programmes provide enjoyment, development and friendship; with optional matches, advancement to teams and advanced training. We provide a uniquely coordinated and holistic approach, not available from other local providers. Our highly trained and experienced coaches ensure that our children start at the most appropriate entry point and then transition smoothly into team football with our partner Sporting 87 FC. Our children (and parents!) leave us with the best understanding, skillset and confidence possible. What’s more our Academy programme provides access to advanced level development sessions up to academy contract level.
The Foundation’s objectives Primarily our fun play and practices support the development of children’s fundamental movement skills, termed A B C ‘s (see explanatory video), at the same time as motivating, enthusing and developing a life-long love of football. Our programme’s social, cooperative and collaborative nature is also an important factor as to why our footy sessions have so much positive benefit beyond it simply being physically rewarding.
Our aims for every child Our foundation programme stages: Footy Cubs, U6 Teams, U7 [Match Experience] Teams, and U8 [League] Teams are appropriately designed to cover the first important stages of a child’s physical, emotional and cognitive growth. Not every child is the same so the ages we give for each stage are a guide only. Prior experience is the major influencing factor to your child’s reaction to his/her first session. This can simply be having played with family in the garden, especially older siblings, or involvement in playground footy with friends at school; whatever your child’s football experience we can provide them with the most appropriate entry point to more formal and structured learning.
- Footy Cubs for ages 3 to 5 (pre-school)
Coach led activities for independent “Footy Discovers”.
Football movement and vocabulary taught within FUNdamentals based play and practice. - Teams U6 for ages 5 to 6 (school year 1)
Coach led activities for independent “Footy Explorers”.
Skills development, playing as a team and optional match experiences on Saturdays (additional fee). - Teams U7 for ages 6 to 7 (school year 1)
Coach led activities for independent “Footy Adventurers”.
Skills development, playing as a team and optional match experiences on Saturdays (additional fee). - Teams U8 for ages 7 to 8 (school year 1)
Coach led activities for independent “Footy Conquerors”.
Skills development, playing as a team and optional match experiences on Saturdays (additional fee).
When first placing a child we focus our attention on appropriateness; the ability to cope will contribute so much to a child’s enjoyment and fulfilment. For example it is not uncommon for a six years old child that is totally new to football to be placed in an accomplished Footy Cubs group to start.
Making it right for your child Throughout your child’s time with us, up until graduation to U8 League Team proper, your child’s coach will advise you when he/she is ready for transition through each stage. To ensure very late starters can cope with graduation either specific home practise, 1-on-1 sessions or additional group sessions may be advised.
Matches and team football Typically children can start to grasp the concepts of team-play and match rules at Teams age. It is then when our Teams can play in friendly mini-matches on Saturday mornings. Participation in these games is optional, and must be in addition to a midweek training session.
Supporting players and parents through graduation to club football At the end of Teams U7 the children are arranged in fixed teams in preparation for graduating to U8 League Teams. During the U7 period volunteer parents/carers that wish to be involved with helping the teams are supported by our professional coaches. They are helped to attain the knowledge, experience and qualifications to become confident and competent team coaches and helpers.
Girls only football: See our female football policy.
Footy Cubs
Foundation sessions for their first discovery and joy of the game (ages 3 to 5 – pre-school).
Professional coach led skills development for independent “Footy Discoverers”.
Football movement and vocabulary taught within FUNdamentals based play and practice.
Leading to a squad place representing Sporting 87 FC.
Football activities for 48 weeks of the year, with 4 rest weeks: the last two weeks of August and two weeks at Christmas. Regular training sessions run during school term time. In the school holidays sessions are incorporated into our Holiday Club programme.
Training sessions are on Wednesdays 5pm to 5.45pm, in the sports hall at the Skyliner Sports Centre.
FREE Essentials kit pack (shirt and shorts) when you sign on. Nike size guide.
Restricted places. You must be awarded a place before you sign on. Contact us now to book your trial.
U6 Teams
Foundation sessions for their first discovery and joy of the game (ages 5 to 6 – school year 1).
Professional coach led skills and teamwork development for independent “Footy Explorers”.
Leading to a squad place representing Sporting 87 FC.
Football activities for 48 weeks of the year, with 4 rest weeks: the last two weeks of August and two weeks at Christmas. Regular training sessions run during school term time. In the school holidays sessions are incorporated into our Holiday Club programme.
Training sessions are on Wednesdays 6pm to 6.45pm, in the sports hall at the Skyliner Sports Centre.
Restricted places. You must be awarded a place before you sign on. Contact us now to book your trial.
U7 Teams
Foundation sessions for their first discovery and joy of the game (ages 6 to 7 – school year 2).
Professional coach led skills and teamwork development for independent “Footy Adventurers”.
A squad place representing Sporting 87 FC.
Football activities for 48 weeks of the year, with 4 rest weeks: the last two weeks of August and two weeks at Christmas. Regular training sessions run during school term time. In the school holidays sessions are incorporated into our Holiday Club programme.
– Training sessions, Thursdays 6pm to 7pm, in the sports hall at the Skyliner Sports Centre.
– Match experiences, occasional Saturday mornings (additional fee per game, times vary).
Restricted places. You must be awarded a place before you sign on. Contact us now to book your trial.
U8 Teams
Foundation sessions for their first discovery and joy of the game (ages 7 to 8 – school year 3).
Professional coach led skills and team development for independent “Footy Conquerors”.
A squad place representing Sporting 87 FC.
Football activities for 48 weeks of the year, with 4 rest weeks: the last two weeks of August and two weeks at Christmas. Regular training sessions run during school term time. In the school holidays sessions are incorporated into our Holiday Club programme.
– Training sessions, Thursdays 6pm to 7pm, in the sports hall at the Skyliner Sports Centre.
– League matches, Saturday mornings (September to May, additional fees, times vary).
Restricted places. You must be awarded a place before you sign on. Contact us now to book your trial.
If you’re a new participant, before you book please email us to check availability of places.
For prices or to book a session click here…
Q & A
You may find it useful to know the answers of these common questions.
Q1 Would my child be okay to attend the sessions; she will be nearly old enough but not the age you stipulate?
A1 We do state specific ages, but this is only a guide because all children are different. Normally it’s fine if a child is a few months below our stated age – the child can be emotionally, socially and physically developed enough to be with us, but sometimes it’s not appropriate. Our coach ratios are key to this and you should chat to our Foundation coaches about whether your child could cope with the level of attention we prescribe in each session. Please contact us before you book.