What’s the right age to start football?

It's a question I’m asked a lot .

"What age should my child start football?"

The truth is, I don't think age is the most important factor.

Readiness is.

Some children can't wait to join in from the moment they can run. Others take a little longer before they feel confident enough to get involved. Neither is right or wrong. Children develop at different rates, and that's exactly how it should be.

Rather than worrying about getting a head start, I'd encourage parents to expose their children to as many different activities as possible. Football, gymnastics, swimming, cycling, climbing—every new experience teaches them something about movement, confidence and themselves.

Eventually, you'll notice a pattern.

They'll start asking to go back.

My son is only nine months old, and I'd love nothing more than for him to enjoy football. Sharing that experience together is something I've imagined for years. But as much as I'd love him to follow the same path, it has to be his choice, not mine.

Gymnastics is in the plan, he’s attended his first swimming (bobbing around with mummy) class. We'll let him try different sports. We'll give him opportunities, then step back and see what captures his imagination most.

In the meantime, he'll probably spend most weekends around football anyway. He'll be on the touchline while I play, and if you've been to a tournament around North Bristol this summer, there's every chance you've seen him being passed from coach to coach while the children are out enjoying themselves.

If he grows up loving football, I'll be delighted.

If he discovers that another sport is the one that excites him, I'll be just as happy.

As adults, we often think our job is to choose the right activity for our children. I think our job is simply to open as many doors as we can.

The rest is up to them.

Antonio - Head Coach