Football skills for the very unco-ordinated

[Bink]

I want to find a summer holidays footballing activity for ds (just 7) - but I need one which is very accepting, & possibly even deliberately aimed at the unco-ordinated - remedial football, if you like.

Such a thing must exist, mustn't it? Appreciate any suggestions for where to look.

We're in London (west/northwest area would be best).

Hi Bink - I have no direct knowledge of a program, but have had a look at some various parenting/child directories (it's the least I can do to thank you/your dh for all the help on the self employed thread) to see if there is anything relevant.

First, let me warn you, I'm rubbish at links, but maybe these web addresses can be of help:

www.kiddikicks.co.uk
www.littlekickers.co.uk

Both of these are for children up to 6, but they may be able to suggest something that will be suitable for your son.

I've also had a look at Time Out's "London for Children" guide and there's lots of things listed there under the "Football" section - might be worth a look.

Finally, under the "Athletics" section (does that mean track/field? if so, might not be what you're looking for), there is the following entry:

"If you kid wants to try athletics, contact senior athletics coach Maureen Jones (8224 7579 or 07956 807689) who organises "Run, Jump, Throw" courses during the school holidays at several tracks around London for 8s to 13.

Anyway, best of luck with it and hope this points you in some useful direction.

Bink, you make me laugh! I thought this would be either you or dino. I couldn't see anything wrong with your ds's football skills myself -- but then my ds is often reduced to playing footy with his 2yo sister, so his standards are not too exacting. Shall we bring a football on Saturday?

Do your local authority run sporty summer courses? Islington do eg. footy or tennis, so might be worth checking. Otherwise Families Online might have some suggestions? Would he mind being in a group with younger children? They would probably be more tolerant of unconventional techniques. Will keep racking my brains. The big commercial providers must do this type of thing, eg. Camp Beaumont. I guess what you want to avoid at all costs is the pushy courses, where all the parents think their kid is the next David Beckham. The PE coach at my children's school sometimes runs courses in the holidays, so I can ask him if he knows anything.

Thank you, both - frogs, we do have a football or two lurking - will dig out & check state of deflation. Ds isn't completely hopeless - the Cool Sporty boy in his class had a football party and when I arrived to collect ds he was looking faintly dazed with a "Goal" sticker on his tummy: "I tried to kick it to [other cool sporty classmate] but it went in the goal ..." but he's the sort who cannot run without giggling madly, if that rings any bells.

Will follow up all your suggestions.