Cracking football fun for children this Easter

With Easter coming at the very start of the holidays, parents will be keen to encourage the kids to get out from underneath a pile of chocolate eggs and take some exercise afterwards, so Exeter City’s Football in the Community Charitable Trust’s events are a great way for them to let off steam as well as have fun.

Due to local demand, there will be a new event in Dawlish, on 8 and 9 April, as well as a return to North Tawton and Cullompton, both on Friday 12 April. There will also be four different events in Exeter, plus roadshows in Exmouth, Sidmouth, Crediton, Tiverton, Honiton, Feniton, Okehampton and Barnstaple.

The popularity of the futsal day at half-term has led to two such events being scheduled for the Easter holiday period - the first on Tuesday 2 April and the second on 9 April, both at the Sports Hall at the University of Exeter. The cost is £12 per day and enables children to get a taste for the game credited by players such as Cristiano Ronaldo as launching the development of their careers.

Grecian Days are being held on Friday 5 and 12 April and early booking is advised as demand is always high for these events. The Grecian days are held at St James Park, the home of Exeter City FC, and include Domino’s pizza for lunch, a tour of the stadium, competitions, DVDs and games. The day runs from 10am-3pm and costs £18, but there is an early kick-off and extra-time option for those parents who would like to drop their kids off at 8.30am and pick-up at 5.30pm for £25.

A special goalkeepers and strikers day is being held at Middlemoor on Friday 5 April (£15), while on Thursday 4 April a Star Tots event (£6) for three to six year olds will be held indoors at St Lukes Sports and Science College. A disability roadshow will be held at St James School sports hall on Friday 5 April.

Apart from the Star Tots event, all roadshows are suitable for boys and girls aged from five to 14. The main football focus is fun and participation through team and individual games and all courses are delivered by Exeter City’s FA-qualified coaching staff.

“In response to the fabulous reaction we had from our half-term roadshows, when more than 350 children attended the courses, we are delighted to have been able to increase the number of events we are running in the Easter holidays,” says Scott Walker, sports development officer for the Football in the Community Charitable Trust.

“It’s particularly exciting for us to be expanding into new areas such as Dawlish, as well as returning to Cullompton and North Tawton. All the events are a great way of keeping kids active during the holidays and hopefully will encourage them to carry on practising their new skills - and of course they don’t need to be accomplished footballers to come along and have a really enjoyable day as everyone is welcome.”

For full details of all the courses, or to book, see www.ecfconline.com, or for more information please telephone 01392 255611 or email fitc.admin@exetercityfc.co.uk.