Omaha Sports Complex Launches Nationally Acclaimed SoccerTots Program to Promote Fun, Motor Skills and Physical Activity

Omaha, (December 12, 2006)  – Omaha Sports Complex (Omaha, NE)  premiere state-of-the-art athletic training facility, is pleased to announce the launch of the nationally acclaimed SoccerTots program for children age 18 months to 10 years.

Soccer Tots is a child physical development program that utilizes a variety of fun games to delight and engage young children in physical activity.  Classes are professionally designed to develop motor skills, promote fitness, and create self confidence. 

Omaha Sports Complex will offer SoccerTots at 14706 Giles Road beginning January 22nd. Professionally trained instructors will lead classes using a variety of props, songs and games to engage children in participation activities. The instructor/child ratios are kept small and all classes are co-ed. SoccerTots will also offer open enrollment to allow participants to join at any time within an 8-week session. Classes will be offered Monday – Friday, schedules are posted online at www.omahasportscomplex and www.soccertots.net

In a non-competitive environment, SoccerTots stresses the development of simple motor skills such as: balance, kicking, running, jumping, dribbling, foot-eye coordination, running control as well as listening and following instructions.

“Our objective is to foster an attitude of accomplishment and positive self-esteem in the kids through a series of achievable, but challenging tasks – we’re not trying to create little Peles at 2 years old,” according to Kent Gold, President and Founder of SoccerTots.

“In a country where childhood obesity rates are increasing at an alarming rate – it's easy to understand why most parents would want to start early in encouraging physical activity, get their kids out from in front of the television and out on the field at an early age,” Gold added.

According to the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 15 percent of children 6 to 19 years old are overweight.

Founded by Kent Gold in Spokane, WA and offered throughout the U.S. at sports facilities, preschools, day cares and community centers, the SoccerTots program is a progressive system that advances in skill building with age.  SoccerTots of Nebraska is locally owned and operated by Andy Benkis and Gina Simon.

Class Description:

Teddies – 18 to 35 months. This parent participation class uses a variety of props, songs, and games to engage toddlers in participation activities. Simple motor skills are stressed.

Koalas – 3 year old beginner. We use a variety of fun games to develop balance, movement, and motor skills as well as listening to instructions; very active and fun.

Cubs – 3 1/2 & 4 year olds. We teach kicking, running control, and dribbling as well as listening and following instructions. We use a variety of fun games with lots of physical activity.

Cubs II – 4 year olds.  This is the progression class for Cubs.  More challenging skills and new concepts are introduced.  The emphasis is on individual motor skill development and fitness.

Bears – 5 & 6 year olds. This class develops kicking, balance, dribbling, foot-eye coordination and running control by playing fun games. Some 4 on 4 scrimmaging is mixed.

Polar Bears – 6 & 7 year olds (adv). This is the progression class for Grizzlies. Advanced skills are developed using fun games. Skill building and fitness prepares them for the next level of sports.

Touch Leagues – 7 to 9 year olds. This class mixes skill development with actual small-sided games. It is geared to give kids lots of "touches" on the ball. Emphasis is on developing enjoyment of physical activity and the game of soccer. No score is kept.