Little Kickers is set to score at the BFA –Franchise of the Year Awards 2009

Little Kickers, who trade as “Little Kicks” in Scotland, run an award winning approved football training programme for kids aged 18 months to 7 years which is poised to score another goal by effortlessly performing a “banana kick” around the current economic climate and Global Bank HSBC is paying close attention. HSBC, in association with the BFA (British Franchise Association) “Franchisor of the Year Award 2009”, has announced that Little Kicks is on a very short list to win the HSBC-Award for Enterprise.

With this year’s theme as 'Today's Foundations for Tomorrow's Success', the awards, which are sponsored by Express Newspapers and HSBC, set out to highlight and reward companies that are investing in the future to secure their ongoing success. Little Kicks was formed in 2002 in response to the alarming growth in childhood obesity. Its mission is not only to focus on the physical well being of the child, but also to promote the development of social skills such as turn taking, following instructions and sharing. These skills for life, are put into practise at a time when the playing field is certainly ripe for parents wanting to get their kids moving. The team at Little Kicks has also adopted a “Play not Push” commitment at their classes which means that children are encouraged to develop at their own pace in a non-competitive environment. Each class is run by two coaches and whilst parents can participate if they feel that their child’s enjoyment will be enhanced by their involvement, one of the overall objectives of the sessions is to encourage kids to learn to play independently of their parents, so the parents get a well deserved break on the sidelines.

The BFA award recognises businesses who have invested time and money into securing a solid future for their company. Little Kicks has taken this one step further by ensuring that the youngest members of society can also gain long-term benefits from participating in the programme. In addition to providing children with a positive introduction to sport, where fundamental football techniques are taught in a friendly, pressure-free environment, they are also encouraged to develop elementary life skills which will serve them well as they move on to school.

Little Kicks’ network of over 90 franchisees in the UK, Ireland, South Africa and Australia, are successful because of the strong operational infrastructure which has been developed, and also because Little Kicks Head Office offers excellent franchisee support. This is a rock solid business model with so much more to offer than just financial reward - no wonder Little Kicks has expanded by 25% over the past year. Christine Stanschus, MD commented,

“We entered the awards because we are keen that the effort and enthusiasm which our head office staff and franchisees consistently demonstrate should be recognised and rewarded. The BFA Awards are particularly important to us, as they are presented by our industry governing body, and, as such we feel that they represent the most relevant and prestigious recognition of the success Little Kicks has achieved to date. To win the award would further enhance the credibility of the Little Kicks brand, and would certainly be one of the high points of the businesses’ history.”

Kick Off for the awards is “on” and the winner will be announced at a celebratory dinner being held on 18th June at the East Midlands Conference Centre.

For more information or interview requests please contact

Brijitte West

Cool Kids Promotions

07879224626

brijitte@coolkidspromotions.com

 

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