The eureka moment for Billy Angeloglou was watching his one-year-old play with a soccer ball.
“I love my soccer, my football, so I started to muck around with my little one and all of a sudden, he started to show a bit of a talent at the age of one and a half,” he told Neos Kosmos.
“Me and my wife, we just sat there and said lets create an educational preschool program.”
What an idea it was.
Mr Angeloglou started Soccer Time Kids in 2007, and soon realised the was a big hole in the market. Most of the sport programs targeted to kids started past the age of five, and didn’t encourage educational routes.
The six groups he started off within Melbourne has now turned into over 200, with locations all around the State.
It’s specifically designed to engage 1-5 year olds in soccer related activities, but doesn’t neglect educational aspects.
“We’re an educational program where we educate them in not only soccer but in letters, colours, numbers and shapes all that sort of stuff, so we try and prepare the children for school,” Mr Angeloglou says.
All programs are open to boys and girls, are indoors and happen on a weekly basis during the school term.
Each 45 minute session is jam packed with football madness, with the kids treated to obstacle courses and lots of games.
It is segmented into age groups. The Koalas (1 to 2.5 year olds) concentrate on basic motor skill development using only beginner ball skills, the Emus (2.5 to 3.5 year olds) learn how to control and pass the soccer ball by using different parts of the foot, and the Joeys (3.5 to 5 year olds) focus on more advanced soccer skills whilst encouraging social independence.
What’s unique about the program is it welcomes parents onto the court and gives them a chance to play along and help their child learn.
“It gives the parents an opportunity to go and have a one on one bond with their child away from other siblings, because you’ve always got the sibling rival,” Mr Angeloglou says with a laugh.
At the older groups, the program tries to make children more comfortable and independent so the job of the parent isn’t too hard. It’s hoped those skills can be transferred to the first day of school, so the child doesn’t feel too alone.
The program also has links to the A-league, with two Melbourne Victory players endorsing the program. Tando Velahpi (Goal Keeper) and Isaka Cernak (Mildfielder) love to come down to have a kick with the youngsters, but making sure to have a fair game by letting a few balls through.
The program as a whole does a lot to help children bond and introduce them early to sports. It keeps them active by stimulating their mind and body.
“There’s always been a big issue about obesity with children/ preschoolers and when they get to school they get picked on and so on,” Mr Angeloglou says.
“So we’re out there trying to keep the kids active, move them away from the ipods, the ipads, and all that sort of stuff and be active.”
It seems the earlier the better.
The program follows the school term timetable, and this year will be starting on January 29. For those interested, a two week trial session is $35, and from then on is $17.50 a session. For more information and to register your child, go to www.soccertimekids.com.au or call 1300 476 223.