Tot a lot of fun at York City venture (From York Press)

Tot a lot of fun at York City venture

7:40am Saturday 11th February 2012 in Junior sports By Dave Flett, Sports reporter

WE’VE had Busby’s Babes and Fergie’s Fledglings but York City Tots are now ready to become football’s new kids on the block.

The Minstermen’s latest community venture, which will be launched this month after successful pilot programmes at Bootham Crescent and Riccall’s Regen Centre, sees pre-school toddlers enjoy a variety of fun games concentrating on agility, balance, co-ordination and speed in a learning environment.

Six-week courses are due to run at both pilot venues from the week starting February 20 to March 26, costing £18 and my budding little dribbler Ruby cannot wait for the next session, having taken part in one of the taster mornings at Riccall.

After all, it’s not every day you can combine pretending to be your favourite member of the Mr Men with the thrill of scoring a goal.

Ruby also required little encouragement to work on that all-important aspect of the modern game – the goal celebration.

Her fellow tots were just as enthusiastic and, with parent participation welcomed, the Tots course is a great opportunity for families to get active together.

Susanne Lammiman, whose son Ryan Kyle attended the Tots pilot scheme in Riccall, was impressed by how the course catered for its three to four-year-old age group, saying: “Ryan enjoys football and York City Tots sounded like a good idea.

“It was actually better than I thought it would be. It was great and I liked how the session was brought down to the childrens’ level with CBeebies and the Mr Men incorporated into it.”

Samantha Bugg’s son Joseph also joined in the fun at Riccall and she said: “Without being stereotypical, because the girls at Riccall enjoyed it just as much, there are not too many pre-school activities targeted more towards boys at this age group and I think it’s great that they can get fit, learn and have fun at the same time.”

For more information on the York City Tots courses and to book a place on one, email community@yorkcityfootballclub.co.uk or phone 01904 624447, extension 7.