White on! Tots love their footie | Auckland Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Auckland

They won't be ready to play until the 2030 World Cup, but these Auckland tots are already having a ball, reports John Landrigan.

High-fives, beaming smiles, and a penalty shoot-out. Forty-five minutes into a fun-filled football lesson and these  4-year-olds are not only still and attentive, they're pleading for more.

Nathan Carpendale watched the All Whites draw with then-world champions, Italy, in the FIFA World Cup last week and was impressed - not with the 1-1 scoreline, New Zealand's achievement or the heady heights of the occasion, but with his own game.

"Wow, that's what we do at Little Kickers. That's the same colour ball," he told his mother.

Little Kickers is a new soccer training programme for ages 18 months to 5 years spreading across Auckland and the North Shore.

Children like Nathan and twins Jienhao and Jienshuo Cook take part in the informal, yet professionally run, football training classes for tots.

"My turn, my turn," cries out one youngster. "I can do it faster," exclaims another.

Sideline, and having just dished out a third high-five to her son for completing an obstacle course, Leanne Carpendale says Friday football can't come around fast enough for her budding star.

"He loves it and gets excited every morning. It's great for his listening skills and he's able to do things at his own pace. It is not about being first or best."

And learning this young is not just about grooming future All Whites like Shane Smeltz, Winston Reid or Tommy Smith.

"This is more about getting him involved. At his age you don't know what sport he would like to play," says Mrs Carpendale.

"I really  enjoy it and they really enjoy it," says soccer convert Mike Cook, of the fun drills his twin boys  take part in.

"You can see them laughing and thriving.

"It's good for learning and to know how to follow directions. It's more about general life skills," he says.

Little Kickers NZ uses techniques devised in the UK and replicated around the globe.

Yvette Summers-Gervai watched friends' children train in the UK and knew it would work  here. She bought the franchise and started classes around Auckland in March 2010.

After only four months, she runs courses in Onehunga, Mt Albert and Takapuna and is looking to expand into Henderson and Remuera.

"A head start in sport is a fantastic investment in the future and we'd be delighted if any of our former pupils go on to greater glories.

"Little Kickers, however, is not a guaranteed passport to football success.

"The real goal is to use football as a fun way to instil confidence, co-ordination, control and sense of camaraderie.

"These skills for life are put into practise at a time when the playing field is ripe for parents wanting to get their kids moving."

At Onehunga's Fergusson Hall, the parents would struggle to stop their kids moving, and laughing, and playing and learning.

Kickstart

Little Kickers franchises offer football training for boys and girls between 18 months and 5 years of age and is the largest provider of football sessions to pre-schoolers in the UK. Little Kickers  is also in Australia, Canada, South Africa, Ireland and Scotland.  Training caters for Little Kicks (18-27 months) Junior Kickers (2-3  years) and Mighty Kickers (3 -5 years). For more info, see www.littlekickers.co.nz or email info@littlekickers.co.nz