Little stars are on the ball

A youngster taking part in a Little Stars class

A newly launched fun football club for youngsters is going from strength to strength.

Little Stars FC, which hosts sessions at Middleton Arena, is all about fun and aims to develop balance, co-ordination, motor skills and communication in all their mini-David Silva's. And now Little Stars, the brainchild of sports coach Mathew Gartland, has almost 30 Wayne Rooney wannabes taking part.

Little Stars Middleton Head coach Mathew Gartland, said: “The reception we’ve had from parents and the youngsters has been brilliant though so far and it’s great to see people backing a local business. We haven’t unearthed the next Lionel Messi yet but you never know, some of the children are showing some real promise!”

Mr Gartland, who studied Sports Science at York University and has been a local sports for almost a decade now also works with a number of local nurseries and primary schools. He says the sessions are not just designed as an academy for aspiring footballers – rather it aims to help personal development through team work and communication. And, he said, schools and Nurseries throughout Oldham and Rochdale are already working closely with All Star Sports.

"When we are working with the schools and the nurseries through the week we make sure all our sessions help the organisation meet their targets according to their curriculum,” he said. “Our experience of working within education has given all of our coaches experience of what activities the children enjoy. This guarantees that our Little Star sessions are always top quality.”

Parents are already seeing the benefits of the Little Stars FC training programme.

"The coach at Little Stars has a great rapport with all of the children at Little Stars" said Mrs Hill from Middleton. "He does a great job which must be incredibly difficult given the ages of all of the children. My son thoroughly enjoys the sessions and being part of the team."