[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column_text]So you’ve signed your little one up for Ginger Sport soccer, or perhaps you’re having a free trial to see if your child likes it. Here’s a bit about what happens at a typical Ginger Sport soccer session.

BEFORE YOU LEAVE HOME

Little ones can get very excited about their soccer sessions. Here’s a handy checklist before you leave home:

• use the toilet
• bring your water bottle
• put your sunscreen on
• wear your hat (“no hat, no play”)
• be kind and polite with your team mates

WHAT TO WEAR

Children should wear:

• sun-smart clothing (suitable to run around in)
• sunscreen
• broad-brimmed hat
• sandshoes (fine to wear football boots, but not required)

There is no uniform, but we do have a Ginger Sport soccer kit you can buy in our online shop.

WHAT ELSE TO BRING

Bring a filled water bottle. Snacks are not necessary.

PARKING

We choose our venues for their suitability, including ease of access. There should be plenty of parking available, but if you have any questions, contact us to determine whether the venue is suitable for your needs.

HOW DO I FIND MY SESSION?

If you are heading along to your first Ginger Sport session, you may be wondering: how will I know where the session takes place? You will find your location information on our website. This information will tell you the address and where you need to go to find the session at that address.

ARRIVAL

Arrive a few minutes before the start of your session.
Look for the coach in the bright-orange uniform.
If there is a session being held before yours, wait quietly nearby. It can be distracting for the coach and children in the previous session if waiting children run up to the coach or attempt to join in the earlier session.
We know it can be difficult sometimes, but do try and keep your excited little ones occupied if the previous session is still running.

PARENTAL SUPERVISION

Parents and siblings should remain at the venue and watch from the sidelines.
If the children are very young, we may sometimes encourage parents to help their child participate.
Our coaches are experienced with coaching very young children, and we design the activities for their developmental level.
We do realise that very young children can be easily distracted.

SIBLING PARTICIPATION

Children who play, often have a sibling who comes along to watch. If any of your other children would like to play every week, just contact the Ginger Sport office to see if there is a space available in your session (or in another session if your other child is in a different age group).
If the office tells you there is a space in the current session, just let the coach know you have spoken to us and that it is ok for your little one to play.
We have all of the information at our fingertips back in the office, and it helps the coach to continue on with the job of coaching if we deal with the admin side of things.

CHILD BEHAVIOUR

We expect that every child will show courtesy and respect to their peers and their coach. We do not accept rough or antisocial behaviour. We encourage all children to make good choices. We reward good behaviour with positive reinforcement.

CHILD TEMPERAMENT & PERSISTENCE

Each child is different and has a different temperament.
Some kids will be super excited and can’t wait to run around at their session. Parents of these children will find that their child is quick to join in and can’t wait to get to soccer each week.
Other children will be more reserved and cautious and like to observe before joining in.
We have a place for every child at Ginger Sport, and we very much appreciate that some little ones take time to warm up before feeling comfortable.
For the parents of these little ones, we truly understand that it can feel far more difficult as a parent when a child wants to join in but seems too afraid to do so at times.
We encourage a gentle approach with children of this temperament and encourage you as a parent to let them do as much at a session as they feel comfortable doing.
Give your child time to get used to the experience. A little exposure at a time is a good way to help a more cautious child to enjoy their soccer each week.

SESSION NUMBERS

We limit the number of children who participate in each Ginger Sport session so that every child has the opportunity for a great experience.
We do sometimes allow extra children to join sessions when the coach and the the office agree that it is appropriate to do so.

COACH CHANGES

Like all of us, children get used to the status quo and tend to develop strong bonds with their coaches. From time to time, a coach will be unable to attend, or may move on permanently. Whilst we do our utmost to minimise these changes, sometimes we can’t avoid it. Some children (and parents) may go through a mini kind of grief at losing a loved coach and feel you will have to break another one in. We do understand these feelings, but also know that we don’t take these changes lightly. If your children do receive a new coach, we are confident that they will come to love them just as much as the old one!

NEW KIDS, NEW PARENTS

It’s often difficult for a new child to come into an established group. We’ve no doubt all felt like “the new kid” at times in our lives. We love the feeling of community spirit within our Ginger Sport family, and we would love it if you would welcome new parents and children to your group, so that they can transition into the group as easily as possible. A friendly smile and hello is all that is needed to make someone feel welcome and break the ice.

WET WEATHER

Some of our Ginger Sport locations have an undercover area where sessions will take place in the event of bad weather. The location information also tells you what to do at your location in the event of rain.
If your location does not have an undercover area available—and it is raining on the day of your session—please visit our website where we will update our wet-weather notice. You can find our wet-weather updates under the What’s On menu on our website.
Please note: We usually leave it as late as possible before cancelling a session to give it every chance of going ahead. If there are no updates, then sessions go ahead as planned. If a session is cancelled due to wet weather, you are entitled to a make-up session with a four-week expiry date.

HOW CAN I FIND OUT MORE ABOUT MY COACH?

If you would like to learn more about who is coaching your little one, click here.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]