Our History
Little Kickers began in 2002 to fill a gap in early years sport. Today, it’s the world’s largest preschool soccer program with 300+ franchises in 25 countries. Learn more about our company’s origins.
From One Mum’s Idea to the World’s Biggest Preschool Soccer Academy
Little Kickers began in 2002 with a simple question:
Why weren’t there any soccer classes for preschoolers?
Christine Stanschus was living in London and wanted a fun, active class for her young son. Something that would help him stay active, learn new things, and fall in love with sports. She couldn’t find one locally, so she made her own.
Built for Kids. Backed by Experts.
Christine didn’t come from a coaching background. She came from investment banking. But she had a strong instinct for what families wanted and a clear vision: soccer should be fun first.
She brought together FA-qualified coaches and early years development specialists to help shape a program that combined real soccer skills with imaginative, play-based learning. The result? A class that teaches kids how to kick, dribble, and score, while also helping them learn colours, numbers, teamwork, listening, and sharing.
From One Soccer Class to a Global Community
Word spread quickly. Parents loved that their children were building confidence, coordination, and social skills while also having a blast on the pitch. Little Kickers grew from one local class to a global franchise network.
Today, Little Kickers has:
- Over 300 franchises in 25 countries
- A team of 2,000+ coaches around the world
- A weekly reach of thousands of happy little soccer players
And we’re still growing, with new classes, enhanced curriculum, and more opportunities to join the Little Kickers family.
Little Kickers Timeline
2002: Where it all began
Christine Stanschus founds Little Kickers in London after struggling to find a fun, active class for her two-year-old son.
2003: Growing fast
Within a year, Little Kickers expands to 35 classes a week across London.
2004: From passion to business model
Christine explores franchising as a way to grow without losing quality. The first UK franchisees join the Little Kickers family.
2006: Going global
Little Kickers launches in South Africa, its first international market. Success there sparks global interest.
2008–2015: New countries, new ideas
Franchisees launch in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and beyond. In Brazil, classes also help kids learn English through soccer-themed games.
2023: Joining a bigger team
Little Kickers is acquired by Stronger Youth Brands, a global youth enrichment platform. The move creates the largest franchised youth soccer program in the world, with over 400 franchisees across 25 countries.
Be Part of the Little Kickers Story
Our franchisees love the flexibility, the fun, and the chance to run a successful business that makes a real difference in children’s lives. Because it’s #MoreThanJustFootball. It’s about giving kids a great start.
Find a Little Kickers Near You
Enter your postal code to find your local class.
