Little Kickers Midrand is back in action at Beaulieu Preparatory School

Youngsters are once again having a blast kicking soccer balls around at Little Kickers Midrand.

The soccer school has been open for more than a month and every weekend children from 18 months to eight years old perform drills and exercises at Beaulieu Preparatory School in Kyalami. Upon arrival all players and parents must have their temperatures taken and fill in Covid-19 questionnaires.

Then players spread out as they warm up in a circle, with all coaches wearing face masks. Soccer balls and cones are sanitised before and after training sessions and often between drills. Each player also received a tog bag to keep their water bottles, masks and, if necessary, their jerseys. This to keep their personal items safe during the sessions and off of the ground.

No games are allowed and so training focuses on drills to improve technique as well as fitness exercises. No hugging, high-fives or other contact is allowed. Everything is made as safe as can be as the children get back to the game after a long break during hard lockdown.

“We have a compliance certificate from the Department of Social Development that everything is up to scratch and safe,” explained franchise owner Manuela Jardim.

“Most parents are happy to have their children back at the sport and we have had many new people sign up.”

She added that the lockdown did not just affect the youngsters physically but any children have missed out on social interaction during the lockdown and have had to rebuild their confidence and social skills. Team practice is perfect for this, Jadim said. The South African Football Association (Safa) has still not given the go-ahead for its affiliated soccer clubs to resume training.

Soccer clubs and schools not affiliated with the entity have, however, been given the green light by government.

Details: Little Kickers Midrand midrand@littlekickers.co.za; 082 564 7432.