Little Play Kicks

Where Early Learning Meets Active Play

A Proteus Sports Group Initiative

Founded in 2020, Proteus Sports Group has worked closely with Preschools and Montessori centres across Christchurch, delivering high-quality early-years sports experiences. What began as a football-based programme has since grown into a complete motor-skills, multi-sport introduction designed to inspire movement, confidence, and a lifelong love of being active.

Welcome to Proteus Little PlayKicks — where early learning, active play, and all-sport coordination come together.

Our Story

Originally established by a team of passionate football coaches, our early-years sessions quickly grew in popularity across Christchurch. As we worked with more preschools, Montessori centres, and early learners, we realised something important:

Children thrive when exposed to all kinds of movement, not just football.

So Little PlayKicks expanded — from simple kicking and dribbling activities into a diverse, engaging motor-skills programme that supports balance, coordination, agility, teamwork, imagination, and confidence through every type of active play.

Today, children who begin with us often continue into a wide range of sports: football, rugby, netball, gymnastics, swimming, athletics and more — taking with them the strong foundations they built with Proteus.

  • By delivering a quality experience, Proteus will:

    • Create a fun and enjoyable environment for children

    • Provide healthy physical activity

    • Increase the children’s skills in ball handling

    • Increase the children’s skills in motor skills

    • Help develop cognitive skills

    The program covers the movement basics as well as incorporating fun games and drills into each session.  Each child will also receive a certificate at the end of the program.

    Programme Groups

    Mini Movers (Ages 2–3)

    A warm and nurturing introduction to movement and play.
    Focus: balance, simple instructions, parent-supported participation, sensory play.

    PlayKickers (Ages 3–4)

    More structured activities with a blend of football skills and all-sport coordination.
    Focus: kicking, dribbling, throwing, catching, agility, social play.

    Little Legends (Ages 4–5)

    A confident step toward school sports, community clubs, or beginner football.
    Focus: ball control, gameplay basics, teamwork, independence, and all-round movement.

  • Our Goals

    ​1. Create a fun environment with our professional coaches for young children in the pre-school setting.

    2. Deliver a quality experience to increase the children’s football skills and enjoy physical activity.

    3. Deliver a quality experience that will increase the children's skills in motor skills (PMP)

    4. The children will also receive certificates (paid for by Proteus) at the end of the service/ year.

    What Makes Proteus Different?

    ⚽ Roots in Football Coaching

    Our foundation in football coaching means we bring structured learning, strong fundamentals, and consistent progression — but always age-appropriate and fun.

    🎨 Expanded Into All-Sport Movement

    Little PlayKicks is no longer “just a football programme.”
    We now include:

    Jumping, balancing, hopping

    Throwing, catching, rolling

    Mini obstacle courses

    Agility and body-awareness games

    Creative challenges and teamwork tasks

    🌱 Designed for Early Learning Centres

    Our experience with preschools and Montessori environments ensures sessions align with early learning principles:

    Exploration

    Imagination

    Child-led discovery

    Inclusive participation

    💪 Building Skills for Every Sport

    Children graduate from Little PlayKicks with the foundations to move confidently into any sport they choose — from football and rugby to dance, gymnastics, or swimming.

    A Typical Session Includes:

    Welcome warm-up & imaginative story play

    Motor-skills stations (e.g., balance beams, cones, balls)

    Football fundamentals

    Throwing/catching and all-sport drills

    Confidence and teamwork challenges

    Fun cooldown & sticker/achievement moment

    Each session runs 30–45 minutes and is delivered by qualified Proteus coaches.

    Benefits of Little PlayKicks

    Your child will:

    Build core motor skills

    Develop confidence & social ability

    Improve focus, listening, and coordination

    Explore creativity through movement

    Build friendships

    Form healthy habits early

    Establish the foundations for all future sports

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