How can I help DS get fitter?

[Niffler29]

DS (11) has recently started getting into football and has joined a team. He absolutely loves it but is struggling a bit as he’s pretty unfit compared to the other boys. He’s not lazy but he’s never been massively sporty - despite years of lessons and help from way more experienced parents than me, he still can’t really ride a bike and isn’t the best swimmer. Always near the end in school races and sports day etc. He previously played basketball but again, he wasn’t too great at it. Even out waking the dog he’s always trailed way behind. He’s not overweight but he’s also not super lean/skinny like a lot of the other boys although he actually seems to have a better diet than most of the ones I know.

I know how much being good at football means to him right now and I want to do anything I can to try and help him. Does anyone have suggestions? I should add I always give him massive praise etc and keep everything really positive, I have never/would never mention this to him, I couldn’t care less about him being sporty but he has brought it up a couple of times and I don’t really know how to help him. Any advice would be much appreciated.

First, it’s great he’s getting into football. That will absolutely help him get fitter. Over the years I’ve seen many shapes and sizes of children on ds’s team. The faster ones are naturally good in midfield and striker, the ones who are more of a rugby build are great in defence because they’re strong. So he’ll always find a place on the team.
Re getting fitter, What does he enjoy? I walk a lot with my DS, to school and back and normally a walk on the weekend. We’ll invite a friend and go up to the fields to play football, frisbee, anything that involves them running about without it really being exercise.
You’ll probably find with training and matches, his fitness will improve week on week anyway.

The way to get fitter is to excerise.
It doesn't really matter what. Just moving will help. So, what is he most likely to do?

Parkrun is very rewarding and at 11, he can do it at his own pace, or do junior parkruns (2k Sun am)

Start with walking if necessary, build up short intervals of run/ walking and increase the length of intervals until running-all.
Collect t-shirts/ wristbands for participating over time.