We want every child to enjoy football, develop new skills, build confidence and have fun in a safe and inclusive environment.

Our sessions are designed especially for young children, using age-appropriate coaching methods that focus on learning through play rather than competition.

Each Little Champs session includes a variety of activities that support children's physical, social and emotional development. Sessions may include:

• ⚽ Fun warm-up games
• ⚽ Ball mastery activities
• ⚽ Dribbling, passing & shooting games
• ⚽ Obstacle courses
• ⚽ Small-sided soccer games
• ⚽ Cool down & celebration

Activities are designed so every child has lots of opportunities to touch the ball, make decisions and experience success.

Our coaches follow the principles of Football Victoria's MiniRoos philosophy, which recognises that children learn best when they are:

• ⭐ Having fun
• ⭐ Actively involved
• ⭐ Encouraged to try new things
• ⭐ Learning through games
• ⭐ Supported to solve problems independently
• ⭐ Praised for effort rather than results

Instead, we celebrate trying your best, showing kindness, working as a team, building confidence, learning new skills and enjoying the game.

These principles align with Football Victoria's emphasis on age-appropriate, player-centred development and Knox United's focus on enjoyable small-sided football experiences.

Our coaches use positive coaching techniques, including:

• ✓ Demonstrating skills visually
• ✓ Giving short, simple instructions
• ✓ Breaking skills into small steps
• ✓ Encouraging children to think and make decisions
• ✓ Providing lots of encouragement
• ✓ Celebrating effort and improvement
• ✓ Allowing children time to practise

Every child develops at their own pace, and that's okay!

Little Champs welcomes children of all abilities. We understand that every child learns differently. Some children may benefit from:

• Visual demonstrations
• Extra thinking time
• One instruction at a time
• Movement breaks
• Positive encouragement
• Additional support from a coach

We believe children learn best when they feel safe, respected and encouraged. Our coaches will:

• ✔ Set clear and consistent expectations
• ✔ Model respectful behaviour
• ✔ Praise positive choices
• ✔ Redirect behaviour calmly
• ✔ Support children to regulate their emotions
• ✔ Help children solve problems respectfully

If a child becomes upset or overwhelmed, coaches will support them with empathy and work together with families when needed.

We encourage all Little Champs to:

• ⚽ Have fun
• ⚽ Listen when coaches are speaking
• ⚽ Be kind to teammates
• ⚽ Take turns
• ⚽ Keep trying
• ⚽ Respect equipment
• ⚽ Celebrate everyone's success

Mistakes are part of learning!

This is completely normal. Some children:

• • Watch before joining in
• • Need extra encouragement
• • Prefer to participate alongside a parent initially
• • Take a few weeks to feel comfortable

Our coaches understand that every child settles differently and will support them at their own pace.