A new soccer school launching in Newport next month aims to put the fun back into football for primary school children across the city.
The Fun Footy Club starts up in September, with twice-weekly sessions at the Geraint Thomas National Velodrome of Wales in the Newport International Sports Village.
The club is the brainchild of Newport-born brothers James and Joe Ward, who are former Newport County AFC Academy players and who both now work in education.
Primary school teacher James, 31, who has been coaching internationally and now lives and works in Prague, Czechia, is the CEO and founder and is looking to bring some of his experience in children’s football back to his home city. Alongside his teaching career, James owns and runs the Prague Soccer School.
The sessions will be run by his younger brother Joe, 28, who is Wellbeing, Learning and Engagement Officer at St Joseph’s RC High School and a former EFL scholar (apprentice professional) at Newport County AFC. He has a degree in sport, fitness and coaching. Joe is the Head Coach of the Fun Footy Club and other former Newport County Academy players will also be joining him on the coaching staff.
James said:
“We see football differently. We believe that children should learn to play football in a pressure-free and fun-filled environment.
“Academies and football clubs have for too long taken children’s football far too seriously.
“We focus on giving children the most enjoyable experience, improving the chances of long-term participation in sport and skill development. We want to help children to play, improve and, most importantly, to love football.”
Parents are welcome to stay and watch all sessions. Joe said:
“We love to have parents staying and enjoying the sessions. However, we do ask that parents do not give instructions to children during sessions.”
The Fun Footy Club kicks off on Tuesday, September 2, with a session for children aged 4-6 (Little Kickers) from 5.30pm-6.30pm and another for those aged 7-10 (Young Ballers) from 6.30pm-7.30pm.
The age sessions will be repeated on Saturdays, starting on September 6, with Little Kickers 9.30am-10.30am and Young Ballers 10.30am-11.30am.
Sessions cost £9, and are booked in blocks that mirror school half-terms.
The Fun Footy Club will also be available to book for birthday parties, and will be running summer camps next year. All bookings must be made online via the club’s website www.funfootyclub.com – further details about the club can also be found on the site.
