Grassroots football frenzies are a fantastic way to encourage children to be active and enjoy team sports. As parents, it is important to create a positive and supportive environment in which our children can participate. While we may be passionate about our children’s success on the pitch, it is essential to remember that there are just children playing a game. Here are a few things that we should avoid doing at grassroots football friendly matches:
1. Don’t shout at the children:
It is important to remember that these are just children playing a game, and they are still learning. Shouting at them from the sidelines can be intimidating and damaging to their confidence.
2. Don’t criticize the referee:
The referee is doing their best to ensure that the game is played fairly, and it is important to respect their decisions, even if we disagree with them.
3. Don’t argue with the opposing team’s parents:
It is natural to want our children to win, but arguing with the other team’s parents will only create a negative atmosphere and could escalate into something more serious.
4. Don’t coach from the sidelines:
Coaches are trained to coach the players, and it is important to let them do their job without interference. Coaching from the sidelines can be confusing for the players and undermine the coach’s authority.
5. Don’t focus solely on winning:
While winning is important, it is not everything. Focusing solely on winning can put undue pressure on the children and take away from the enjoyment of the game.
6. Don’t belittle or berate your child or other children:
Negative comments and criticism can be detrimental to a child’s self-esteem and confidence. It is important to provide constructive feedback and support rather than belittling or berating.
7. Don’t forget to show sportsmanship:
It is important to teach children about sportsmanship, fair play, and respect for their opponents. Congratulate the other team on a good game and show respect to the opposing players and parents.
In conclusion:
Grassroots football matches should be a positive and enjoyable experience for everyone involved. By avoiding these negative behaviours, we can create a supportive and encouraging environment for our children to learn and grow in. Remember, these are just children playing a game, so let’s focus on their enjoyment and development rather than winning at all costs.
ARTICLE 2
A PARENT’S ROADMAP TO SUPPORTING A STRESS-FREE FOORBALL JOURNEY
For many kids, stepping onto the football field is more than just playing a game – it’s a dream, a passion, and a huge part of their identity. As a parent, you’re not just the carpool driver or the post-match snack supplier – you’re the foundation of support that can make all the difference in your child’s football journey. But how do you provide that support without unintentionally adding pressure?
Here’s your roadmap to ensuring your child’s football experience is positive, balanced, and most importantly – stress-free.
1. Start with the “Why”
Before the cleats hit the ground, have a conversation with your child about why they want to play football. Is it to have fun, be with friends, stay fit, or chase a dream? Their reasons should guide how you support them. If they’re playing for enjoyment, your focus should be on fun. If they’re pursuing a competitive path, your support will shift, but your encouragement should never hinge on performance.
2. Be Their Biggest Fan, Not Their Coach
Unless you’re on the coaching staff, leave the technical feedback to the professionals. Your job isn’t to dissect every pass or missed opportunity – it’s to cheer from the sidelines, offer a high five at the final whistle, and say, “I loved watching you play.” That simple sentence can be the most powerful support you give.
3. Manage Expectations – Yours and Theirs
It’s natural to dream big for your child, but be careful not to project those dreams onto them. Whether your child becomes a professional player or simply enjoys weekend matches, your love and pride should remain constant. Keep expectations in check and prioritize effort, attitude, and enjoyment over trophies or stats.
4. Prioritize Balance
Football is just one part of your child’s life. Encourage downtime, social time, and academics. Burnout is real, even for young athletes. A balanced schedule helps your child stay energized, motivated, and mentally well.
5. Promote Healthy Communication
Teach your child how to talk about their experiences – good or bad, without fear of judgment. After a game, ask open-ended questions like, “What was your favorite moment today?”, “How did you feel out there?” Avoid immediately jumping into critique. Let them lead the conversation.
6. Model Emotional Control
Kids often mirror their parents’ emotions. If you’re pacing the sidelines, yelling at referees, or criticizing players, that stress trickles down. Show your child that sportsmanship, resilience, and grace under pressure matter just as much off the pitch as on it.
7. Celebrate the Small Wins
Did they wake up early for practice without complaining? Help a teammate up after a fall? Try a new skill even if it didn’t work? These are victories, too. Celebrating these moments reinforces the values of effort, kindness, and growth.
8. Be a Part of the Community
Get involved in a way that feels right – help with team logistics, volunteer at games, or simply build positive relationships with other parents. A supportive football community fosters a better environment for everyone.
9. Know When to Step Back
As kids grow, they may want more independence in how they manage their sport. Respect that. Give them space to take ownership of their journey. Be there when they need you, but trust them to lead.
10. Enjoy the Ride
Grassroot football goes by in a flash. The early morning drives, the muddy boots, the nervous pre-game energy – it all becomes part of the memory. Soak it in. Your presence and positivity will be what your child remembers most.
Final Thought:
Your child’s football journey is theirs to write – but your support is the pen that helps shape the story. With patience, love, and the right perspective, you can help them enjoy the game they love without the weight of pressure.
So lace up those metaphorical boots, parents – it’s game time for you, too.
ARTICLE 3
Tiny Humans, Big Feelings: Emotional Development Through Sport and Play (Ages 20 Months to 3 Years)
When we think of toddlers, we often picture giggles, babbling, and boundless energy. But behind those tiny feet and curious eyes are big emotions – ones that are often too complex for their little voices to explain. Between the ages of 20 months to 3 years, children go through some of the most rapid emotional development of their lives. And while their feelings may come out in tears, squeals, or even stubborn silence, every emotion they express is a building block in their journey to understanding themselves and the world.
At Kixx, we don’t just teach football – we teach life skills. Our toddler sessions are carefully crafted to support emotional growth just as much as physical development.
Why Emotional Development Matters
Between ages 1.5 to 3, toddlers begin to:
Recognize emotions in themselves and others
Start developing empathy
Express frustration when things don’t go as planned
Learn to manage separation from caregivers
Begin social interaction with peers
These are foundational steps toward emotional intelligence. However, without the right environment, these feelings can become overwhelming or misunderstood.
The Kixx Approach: Emotion in Motion
At Kixx, we use structured play, gentle routines, and simple teamwork to create safe spaces for toddlers to explore emotions in real time. Here’s how:
1. Predictable Routines Create Emotional Security
Toddlers thrive in environments where they know what to expect. Our sessions start and end with familiar activities; like warm-ups, huddles, or goodbye high-fives, helping toddlers feel safe and in control.
2. Physical Play Releases Emotional Energy
Kicking a ball, running to a goalpost, or hopping through cones isn’t just good for coordination – it’s an outlet. Movement helps little ones regulate their emotions, burn off frustration, and feel more settled.
3. Teamwork Teaches Empathy and Turn-Taking
We gently guide toddlers to wait their turn, cheer for a friend, or help pick up equipment together. These small moments introduce the idea that other people have feelings too, and that’s a powerful lesson.
4. Supportive Coaches = Trusted Grown-Ups
Our coaches are trained to read the emotional cues of toddlers, whether it’s a pout that needs a high-five or a meltdown that needs a moment to regroup. We validate their emotions without judgment, and in doing so, we model healthy emotional responses.
5. What Parents Say
“I couldn’t believe the difference,” says one Kixx parent. “My little one went from crying every drop-off to running in with a smile. It’s not just football – it’s his happy place now.”
6. Big Emotions Are Welcome Here
At Kixx, we believe that children don’t need to be told to “toughen up” or “calm down.” They need space to feel, tools to understand, and people who will guide them with care. Because even the tiniest humans have the biggest feelings, and we’re here to help them make sense of it all.
Curious about joining? Come experience the joy of play-based emotional growth. Your toddler’s next favourite day of the week might just be their Kixx day.
