Future football stars can get their first taste of the beautiful game by taking part in a 10 week skills course.

Little Strikers is a basic football course for children aged 3 to 6 years. It is designed to help improve a child's football skills with a range of agility, balance and co-ordination activities. The session will be run by two highly qualified sports coaches.

The course will be held at Trentham High School from the July 15 to September 16 and will cost £30 for the 10 weeks. Courses will take place between 5pm and 5:45pm every Thursday.

Councillor Hazel Lyth, cabinet member for adult social care, sport, leisure and culture, said: “It’s important we get youngsters involved in sport at a young age, and the popularity of football always gives us a good uptake on courses like these. They’re designed to improve balance co-ordination and skill at a young age.

“We might be helping to create the new Stoke City and Port Vale players of the future, and it should be a lot of fun for everyone taking part too.”

Parents are asked to provide their child with a bottle of water and sports kit. There are only 14 places available on the course. To book call 01782 235030 or email kate.beer@stoke.gov.uk.

Find out how to get fit

Residents aiming to get fit can find out how they can achieve their goals this Saturday (July 10) at Meir Fitness Centre’s open day.

Visitors will be able to speak to staff about their fitness goals and how they can achieve them, look at the facilities and have their blood pressure and weight checked for free by a qualified fitness instructor. Guests will be able to receive free membership if they enrol on the day.

The open day will take place at the same time as the Meir Summer Festival at Meir Community Education Centre. Residents will be able to part in and a range of activities including fair rides and trampolines, and a raffle where all takings go to Help for Heroes.

Councillor Hazel Lyth, cabinet member for adult social care, sport, leisure and culture, said: “Living a healthy life is important to all of us and so receiving advice on how we can achieve that is vital to allow us to shape a healthy future. Providing fitness advice for people in Stoke-on-Trent and teaching them about the advantages of healthy living is key to helping them achieve their own goals.”

Both events will take place on Saturday July 10, 2010 between 12pm and 4pm. For further details call 01782 23517.

Meir Fitness Centre, (Part of Meir Community Education Centre)
Pickford Place,
Meir,
ST3 7DY