Do you have a pint-sized footballer at home bursting with energy? We’re thrilled to announce a brand-new football class for toddlers (ages 2–4) at We Make Footballers Blackwood Academy, kicking off this September! It’s never too early to start enjoying the beautiful game in a fun, safe setting. Our upcoming 12-week program is specially designed for little ones – and their parents – to play, learn, and make wonderful memories together. (Spaces are limited, so read on to see why this new class is so special and how to register your interest.)
What Makes Our Toddler Class Special?
Play-Based Fun: At this age, children learn best through play. That’s why our 2–4 year old sessions are 100% play-based – more like exciting adventures than formal lessons. Instead of drills, we’ll be chasing imaginary pirates, dribbling through “jungle” obstacle courses, and going on make-believe football journeys that spark your toddler’s imagination. It’s all about learning through laughter and play.
Parent Involvement: You won’t be watching from the sidelines – you’ll be right there in the action! We warmly encourage mums, dads, or carers to join in each session. Whether you’re helping your child navigate a mini obstacle or celebrating their tiny victories, this is quality time for you and your little one. In fact, having parents actively involved can boost a child’s confidence and self-esteem, while strengthening that special parent-child bond. Get ready to share plenty of high-fives and hugs on the pitch!
Physical & Social Development: Our toddler classes focus on helping kids grow physically and socially in a supportive environment. By around 3 years old, many toddlers are already running, jumping, and even kicking a ball – so this is a perfect time to develop those gross motor skills. Through our fun games, your child will practice fundamental movements like running, kicking, balancing, and coordination without it ever feeling like “exercise.” At the same time, they’ll be interacting with other children and learning to play together. These sessions naturally encourage sharing, taking turns, and teamwork (we keep it cooperation-focused, not competitive). It’s amazing to see how quickly they start making friends and learning to be part of a team at this age. And as they conquer new challenges each week, you’ll see their confidence bloom along with big smiles!
Key Features of the 12-Week Program
Our 12-week toddler football program is carefully crafted to give your child the best start to their football journey. Each weekly session builds on the last, helping your little one gain skills and confidence step by step. Here are some highlights you can look forward to:
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Imaginative Games & Themes: Every class is an adventure! From pretending to be animals dribbling through a safari, to “treasure hunt” games where we search for hidden toys with our feet, we keep things fun and imaginative. These creative activities keep toddlers engaged and make sure they’re having a blast while learning. (Expect lots of giggles and goofy coach impressions – we love to see kids laughing!)
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Fundamental Skills Through Play: We sneak in plenty of skill-building disguised as play. Your child will naturally practice running, jumping, kicking, and dribbling as they play our games. For instance, chasing a soccer ball helps develop coordination and balance, and shooting into a mini goal builds kicking technique. By the end of the program, you’ll notice improvements in their motor skills – they might run a little faster and kick with more confidence, all thanks to consistent, playful practice.
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Teamwork & Social Skills: One of our goals is to help children learn to play with others, not just alongside them. We include simple group activities that encourage toddlers to share, take turns, and work together. There’s no keeping score or competition at this stage – it’s all about having fun together and learning to be part of a team. Your little one will start to understand concepts like “helping each other” and will begin making new friends in the group. Watching shy kids come out of their shell and start calling each other by name is one of the best parts of this class!
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Indoor Sessions with Toddler-Friendly Equipment: Rain or shine, our classes take place indoors on a safe, soft surface – so no worries about the Welsh weather. We use special age-appropriate gear to keep things safe and kid-sized. That includes small futsal balls (they’re slightly smaller and low-bounce, perfect for tiny feet to control) and lots of colorful equipment like cones, mini ladders, and little hurdles. Your child might weave through cone “forests,” hop over mini hurdles like a bunny, or step through ladder rungs in a “mission” game. This equipment isn’t just for show – it helps develop agility and balance in a super fun way. And because everything is scaled down for toddlers, they’ll feel comfortable and confident trying things out.
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Progress & Celebration: Over the 12 weeks, you’ll get to watch your child’s progress firsthand. Each session introduces something new – whether it’s a skill (like gently stopping the ball with their foot) or a game that reinforces earlier lessons. We celebrate every achievement, no matter how small. Did your child manage to kick the ball forward for the first time? High five! Tried a new game without holding your hand? That’s a win! These small victories give them a huge confidence boost. By the last week, we’ll have a little celebration to applaud how far they’ve come (and maybe a sticker or certificate for your proud toddler to take home!).
A Safe, Supportive Environment (with Enthusiastic Coaches!)
We pride ourselves on creating a safe and welcoming environment for both children and parents. Our coaching team is absolutely brilliant with kids – patient, caring, and bursting with enthusiasm. Each coach is fully vetted (DBS-checked) and even first aid trained, so you can relax knowing your child is in good hands. More importantly, our coaches love what they do. They understand toddlers (many are parents themselves) and know how to get down to a child’s level to make them feel comfortable. Expect big smiles, high-energy demonstrations, and lots of positive encouragement from our team.
We also keep our class sizes small – this means plenty of individual attention for your little one and a chance for everyone to get to know each other. You’ll find that our sessions have a friendly, community feel. Parents often end up chatting and laughing together as much as the kids do! We want every family to feel at home from the moment you walk in. If your child is a bit shy or nervous at first, don’t worry – we’ll work with you to help them settle in, and you’ll be amazed how quickly they gain confidence. Safety is our top priority, and that includes emotional safety: a supportive, no-pressure vibe where children are encouraged to try new things at their own pace. No one gets upset if a toddler wanders off for a moment or needs a cuddle – we’ve been there, we get it. 😉
How This Class Supports Early Development
You might be wondering, what will my child really get out of a football class at 2 or 3 years old? The short answer is: a lot! Aside from burning off some of that endless toddler energy, our program has tons of developmental benefits:
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Confidence: We see toddlers’ confidence grow each week. As they master new skills (like kicking a ball all by themselves) or overcome tiny challenges, they start to feel “I can do it!” pride. Those small wins build self-esteem and a positive attitude toward trying new things.
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Motor Skills: Football is fantastic for developing gross motor skills. Running, kicking, and balancing all improve coordination and strength in those little legs. Even activities like picking up cones or hopping through ladders boost their agility and control. These are foundational skills that help with many other sports and physical activities as they grow.
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Social & Communication Skills: For many toddlers, this class might be one of their first group activities. It’s a gentle way to learn how to make friends, communicate, and be part of a group. They’ll practice listening to the coach, following simple instructions, and cheering on their peers. Regularly playing with others their age can really help develop communication and teamwork skills (plus, it’s adorable to watch!).
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Creative Thinking: Our imaginative approach isn’t just for fun – it also nurtures creativity and problem-solving. When we ask kids to dribble like a “sneaky fox” or navigate a pretend river of cones, they’re learning to think outside the box and use their imagination. This kind of creative play supports cognitive development (research even shows it can help with things like early speech and language skills).
Overall, our toddler class is a holistic experience: it’s not about producing the next football superstar (though who knows, right?), but about helping your child develop and shine on all fronts – physically, socially, and emotionally – all while having the time of their life.
Join the Fun – Register Your Interest for September!
If you have a 2, 3, or 4-year-old who is ready to kickstart their football journey (or just ready to have some fantastically fun playtime each week), we’d love to hear from you! Our new toddler class starts this September at We Make Footballers Blackwood Academy, and spaces are limited to keep the coach-to-child ratio low. It’s the perfect opportunity to introduce your little one to the joy of football in a safe, supportive setting – and be right there alongside them for the adventure.
Get in touch or register your interest now to secure your child’s spot. You can contact our friendly team with any questions, and we’ll be happy to help. Don’t miss out on this exciting new program – we’re expecting spots to fill up fast.
Come play, laugh, and learn with us this September. We can’t wait to welcome you and your mini footballer to the WMF Blackwood family! ⚽🎉
Contact us today to find out more and book your child’s place – let’s make football fun for the whole family!
