Budding football stars of the future are on the ball thanks to a new national coaching initiative launched by a Lancashire provider of sports education for children. 

SportsCool, which was founded and based in Blackburn, works with schools to enhance the delivery of curricular and extra-curricular physical education.

A ‘Soccer Cubs’ project has been launched with the view that every child should have the chance to participate, progress and achieve.

The group’s new football development centres are open for toddlers and children up to six years of age.

Lancashire Telegraph: SportsCool national director Lee LysonsSportsCool national director Lee Lysons

SportsCool national director, Lee Lysons, said: “Our football development centres are a great way for toddlers and younger children to have lots of fun, stay active and to discover the joys of football.

“Our themed games are designed to be enjoyable and engaging, while also helping to develop the child’s ability and confidence. They are proving massively popular with the children taking part and their parents and guardians.”

SportsCool also offers football sessions for older children aged seven and over and again they are proving very popular.

Lee said: “These sessions are geared towards developing essential skills like teamwork and sportsmanship.”

The business currently has 28 operations across the whole of the UK, and it currently works closely with more than 400 education providers and has over 100 people working within its organisation.

It has just opened new branches in Leicester and Derby, offering schools its diverse range of sports, from fencing and archery to ultimate frisbee and tri-golf and more.

All its activities are underpinned by the company’s ethos of “Educate: Motivate: Participate”.

The business was founded in Blackburn by sports coaches Lee Lysons, Matt Parker and Andy Preston.

Lee said: “We are seeing increasing interest in what we do and what we can deliver to help children’s health and wellbeing. It really has gone to the top of the agenda following the pandemic and the impact that has had on youngsters.

“The ethos behind what we do is simple. At SportsCool we believe that sports education is fundamental to a child’s development.

“We also believe that every child should have the chance to participate, progress and achieve in physical activities. This in turn has a profound effect on self-esteem, confidence, motivation, physical aptitude, and all-round mental and physical health.

“We use positive rewards in everything that we do, our sessions raise aspirations, are accessible to all, and, most of all, they are fun. As a result, we see the youngsters blossom into confident, healthy and aspiring individuals.”

As well as Blackburn, in the North West it has branches in Bolton, Fylde, Preston, Bury and Cheshire East.

For more details visit www.sportscool.org