Footy 3s (Reception – Year 1)
Footy 3s is our football development programme for children in Reception and Year 1, bridging the gap between their first experiences of football and joining a grassroots team at U7.
Delivered in partnership with local grassroots football clubs, Footy 3s gives children a fun, development-focused environment where they can build their confidence, improve their individual ability and learn through playing the game.
The end goal is simple: develop confident, creative young players who are ready to take their next step into grassroots football.
WHY FOOTY 3s?
At this age, we believe children need opportunities to have the ball at their feet, make their own decisions and experience lots of 1v1 and small-sided situations.
That's why 3v3 football sits at the heart of Footy 3s.
Fewer players means more involvement.
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More touches.
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More dribbling.
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More 1v1s.
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More decisions.
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More goals.
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More opportunities to learn.
Rather than children getting lost in larger games, 3v3 gives every player the opportunity to be involved.
MORE THAN JUST 3v3
Although 3v3 football is a major part of the programme, Footy 3s isn't simply about turning up and playing matches.
Our structured sessions are designed to develop the individual player.
Children work on:
• Ball mastery and confidence
• Dribbling and running with the ball
• 1v1 attacking and defending
• Turning and changing direction
• Passing and receiving
• Shooting and finishing
• Awareness and decision-making
• Confidence in possession
We want players to become comfortable receiving the ball, taking players on and finding their own solutions.
RECEPTION
Reception is about building the foundations.
Players are encouraged to develop a relationship with the ball, explore different skills and become confident taking players on.
There's plenty of repetition, lots of opportunities to experiment and an increasing introduction to 1v1 and 3v3 football.
The emphasis remains firmly on individual development and enjoyment.
Year 1
During Year 1, we begin preparing players for their transition into U7 grassroots football.
Sessions continue to develop individual technical ability while introducing greater awareness, decision-making and understanding of playing with and against others.
3v3 football becomes an important part of this development, giving players repeated opportunities to attack, defend, make decisions and solve problems for themselves.
THE FOOTY 3s PATHWAY
Reception → Year 1 → Partner Club U7s
One of the biggest benefits of Footy 3s is the pathway it creates.
We work directly with our grassroots partner clubs so children can develop within Footy 3s before having the opportunity to transition into the partner club's U7 teams.
This gives children time to develop their confidence and ability before entering grassroots football and gives families a much clearer idea of what comes next.
Each partnership is slightly different, so we've created dedicated pages containing everything you need to know about your local Footy 3s programme and its pathway into the partner club.
FIND YOUR FOOTY 3s CLUB
Choose your local partner club below to see session times, venue information, prices, booking details and how the pathway into that club works.
ROSEACRE RAIDERS FC
Footy 3s | Bearsted
Reception & Year 1 sessions
Saturday mornings
Elizabeth Harvie Field, Bearsted
VIEW ROSEACRE RAIDERS FOOTY 3s
LARKFIELD FC
Footy 3s | Little Larks
Reception & Year 1 sessions
Saturday mornings
Larkfield Recreation Ground
NEW TO FOOTY 3s?
No previous Footy for Tots experience is required.
Whether your child is progressing from our younger Footy for Tots classes or joining us for the first time, they're welcome to get involved.
Choose your nearest partner club above to find out more and book your child's session.