For parents looking to introduce their active children to team sports in a way that emphasizes fun, confidence-building and development, Lil’ Kickers has become a choice for many families in Murfreesboro and nationwide.

With divisions designed for kids as young as 18 months through age 9, Lil’ Kickers uses imaginative, play-based activities to teach the framework of soccer, all while helping children grow socially, physically and emotionally. Coaches blend silly games with soccer skill development so children stay engaged and laugh while learning balance, coordination, running, ball control and the basics of the game of soccer.

“Lil’ Kickers is not a traditional soccer club where there are games and practices. Using world renowned child development theories, child development professionals, experienced coaches and the expertise that comes along with thousands of hours of working with children, we created a curriculum that introduces kids to soccer and so much more,” said Josh Bowden, owner and operator of Lil’ Kickers of Murfreesboro. “Our program helps develop players who are good sports and good teammates—on and off the soccer field.”

For older kids, classes will conclude with a brief time of soccer scrimmage, to ease them into a bit of competitive gameplay, with perhaps three to six players per side.

However, Lil’ Kickers is not strictly a formal “soccer practice.” During the various games conducted at a session, parents may hear children yelling out about wolves or mashed potatoes or wizards or crossing a bridge or some other such fun, as the kids run about with other kickers, learning to adhere to rules of a game while burning off some energy and laughing with others in their age group.

“They’re not just having fun—they’re building brains,” Bowden said. “Our classes are designed to let kids lead, explore and grow.”

Soccer makes a great vehicle for teaching teamwork, according to Bowden.

“You learn to rely on your teammates to succeed,” he said. “And, honestly, at the end of the day, every child loves to just kick a ball!”

Coach Josh leads Lil’ Kickers in a drill

While the program is centered around soccer and teaches the rules and techniques to play the global sport—and also shows kids how to stretch and balance their bodies, and has them running sprints and dribbling the ball at times—other activities may have boys and girls and coaches blowing bubbles, kicking over cones, playing amoeba tag and engaged in all manner of different games and drills.

Bowden’s career began in the fast-moving world of technology startups.

“Over time, I realized that what I valued most wasn’t any one of the companies’ missions or the tech itself—it was the human side of the work: understanding people, helping them grow and trying to allow them to bring out the best versions of themselves,” he said. “That realization, along with the birth of my son almost in tandem with the unexpected loss of one of my closest friends, connected me back to two lifelong passions: psychology and soccer.”

Bowden said he wanted to focus his energy on something that would make a real impact on kids and families, something that blended joy, development and community.

“That vision led me to start Lil’ Kickers of Murfreesboro,” he said. “I get to pour my heart into helping children build confidence, learn social and emotional skills, while discovering (hopefully) the same love of the game that shaped my own childhood.”

Founded in 1999 in Seattle, Lil’ Kickers has expanded into a national brand with more than 130 franchise locations in the U.S. and in Canada, serving hundreds of thousands of kids.

The method is crafted so that learning happens naturally, with imaginative storylines, age-specific games and small-sided scrimmaging that helps kids refine dribbling, passing and teamwork as well as communication and motor skill development.

“The program is designed to certainly reach beyond just the sport. I have had parents tell me directly how much of a positive impact it has had on their child’s everyday life, whether it has allowed them to grow socially or it has improved their listening skills,” Coach Josh said. “I even have parents tell me that their child insists on wearing their Lil’ Kickers jersey to bed as their PJs, which I absolutely love!”

Parents across the country praise the program for making learning fun and for helping kids build confidence, social skills, and a positive view towards being physically active.

“They love the imaginative games that are teaching soccer skills without them realizing it,” one parent shared, noting that their child looks forward to classes each week. Another added that their son “walked away a very happy kid after practice.”

Bowden said he is “very much actively looking for an opportunity to acquire a permanent location for our growing community to call home.”

For now, in Murfreesboro, Lil’ Kickers hosts sessions throughout the year at the Middle Tennessee State University Health, Wellness and Recreation Center and at Oakland High School’s practice facility.

Kids are welcome to attend a free trial class prior to registering for a season.

Whether your child is totally new to team sports or already a big soccer fan, introverted or extroverted, a bundle of energy all day long or a couch potato, Lil’ Kickers strives to provide a fun, supportive environment that celebrates effort, play, development, growth and fun.

Sometimes it takes a few sessions for a youngster to find their rhythm and become comfortable in the program, but parents of children with various differing personalities have been pleasantly surprised how Lil’ Kickers has benefited their kids.

Classes are currently held on Sunday afternoons in the MTSU Rec Center, and each class lasts for just under an hour.

For more information, or to register for a free trail session, visit lilkickers.com, email kickit@thelkm.com or call 615-861-9687.