Kids get a kick out of soccer-style fitness
In its simplest form, it requires just a ball, two kids and a bit of space. No fancy or expensive equipment. No special surfaces or arenas. Just kids who love to run.
Soccer is inexpensive and can be played virtually anywhere by anyone — just a few of the reasons the sport has enjoyed increased popularity in Canada over the past several years.
Another reason is Canada’s multiculturalism. “A lot of people come from countries where soccer is the number one sport,” says Alan Alderson, director of coaching at the National Sports Development (NSD) Soccer Club.
Add to that the presence of three major league soccer teams in Canada and increased coverage on TV and you’ve got a sport steadily gaining fans in Calgary.
A summer camp is a great way to get kids excited about the “beautiful game,” says Alderson.
The former professional soccer player says camps offer kids the opportunity to have fun playing soccer, meet new friends, hang out with old ones, and be involved in “small-sided” games. While a regular soccer game consists of 22 players and one ball, Alderson says small-sided games at camps allow kids to touch the ball more frequently.
“With kids, we try to get the numbers down so you end up with a small-sided game with maybe three versus three or four versus four,” he says.
“All the things that you end up seeing on the big field, you can
teach in a small environment where the kids get way more touches and opportunities on the ball.”
Rachael Aiken says soccer is a great outlet for children to release energy and stay active.
“Especially in this day and age, when social media and computers and videos are so prominent, it’s nice to see that these kinds of things are still growing within society.”
Aiken is program manager of the Royal City Soccer Club, a non-profit organization headquartered in Burlington, Ont., with branches in Ontario, B.C. and Alberta.
Aiken says they’ve seen their camp registration numbers grow every year. Soccer is an easy concept for kids to grasp, she says. “All kids love to run and play. And if you can introduce that in a structured way, I think it’s very relatable for children.
“And definitely I think accessibility and affordability are huge factors.” The Royal City Soccer Club offers full-day, five-day camps for
kids from five to 14 years old. “We’re a grassroots camp. We’re teaching the basics of soccer. We’re not out there to create the next David Beckham.
“It’s more important for us that the children have personal development and build confidence through the game of soccer.” The NSD Soccer Club offers fiveday camps from two
to five hours per day for kids from five to 16 years old. All skill levels are welcome. “Soccer is incredibly addictive,” says Alderson. “Once people get in it, they tend to stick with it for life.”