LFC foundation

Mini Kicks

Mini Kicks is the LFC Foundation's introduction to football for children aged four to six. It focuses on key, fundamental basic techniques, with an emphasis on developing all areas of the FA's Four Corner Model – technical, social, physical and psychological.
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Sessions are underpinned with a focus on developing each child, learning how to enjoy football and making friends whilst improving skills in a fun and supportive environment.
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The aim is to see more children playing football at an early age, assist them in fulfilling their potential and help them enjoy the physical benefits of the game. Children of all abilities are provided with a safe environment, a structured bespoke programme and an Academy football pathway to do this.

Thanks to funding from Liverpool FC Members such as yourself, the Mini Kicks programme has been able to expand with four new venues established in Merseyside – taking the total to six.
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Before the Covid-19 pandemic, this saw an increase in Mini Kicks sessions to six per week involving 336 participants and 143 new players, including 13 girls. Two Mini Kicks children were promoted to the LFC Academy main group, five joined LFC Academy Development groups and two U5 players have been identified to join Academy sessions next season.

Lockdown has brought with it challenges for us all, but thanks to technology LFC Foundation has been able introduce two live Virtual Mini Kicks sessions per week. This has allowed the Club to offer support to Mini Kicks participants and their families during this challenging period, and resulted in a further two U5 players being identified to join Academy sessions in season 2020/21.

Five-year-old Thiago, from Anfield, is one participant who has been to U5s training sessions after first attending Mini Kicks. He has also got involved in Virtual Mini Kicks sessions. “Thiago has made lots of friends through the Mini Kicks,” says mum Anita. “Without it he would have had nowhere to play football.”
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Toxteth-based Emily, also five, played football for the first time when joining in a Mini Kicks session in February and enjoyed it so much that she has asked LFC Foundation coaches to help her find a football team to play for.

As for five-year-old Mikey, his favourite day is now Monday as that is 'Mini Kicks Day' in his local area of Croxteth. His dad also tells us that taking part in sessions has boosted Mikey's confidence.
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With the help of your support as a Liverpool FC Member, Mini Kicks is having a positive influence on the lives of 4-6 years olds on Merseyside. While the focus is always on fun, learning and development, maybe the next Trent Alexander-Arnold or Curtis Jones will be discovered along the way too...