For many of us, our earliest memories of sport aren’t just about winning or losing—but about who helped us take our very first steps. The coaches who supported us when we didn’t quite know what to do. The ones who gave us confidence just by smiling and kneeling down to our level.
At Kixx, that’s exactly the role our early years coaches play. And in Doncaster, two incredible women—Terri and Chloe—are doing just that, week in and week out.
Working with children aged 18 months to 3 years, Terri and Chloe have become familiar faces for hundreds of families across the local community. But behind the footballs, fun themes, and high-fives is a deep level of expertise, professionalism, and passion for making a real difference in a child’s life.
Coaching the Kixx Way
For Terri, coaching was a natural extension of her lifelong commitment to children’s wellbeing:
“I’m a strong advocate for healthy lifestyles and keeping people active. Coaching football allows me to inspire children, boost their confidence, and encourage a lifelong love for both the sport and an active lifestyle.”
And Chloe, who joined Kixx to challenge herself and try something new, quickly discovered the unique power of coaching:
“Watching the little ones leave their grownup’s hands to become more independent and shine through their own personality is amazing. The bonds we build with families are so special—my Kixx families really mean a lot to me.”
Building More Than Football Skills
When you watch a Kixx session for our youngest age groups, it’s easy to get lost in the fun: tapping the ball with tiny feet, pretending to be pirates, animals, or superheroes. But make no mistake—there’s a huge amount of development happening under the surface.
Terri explains:
“At this age, it’s all about developing understanding and confidence. Without that foundation, progress can be tough. Every session is carefully planned to suit their pace. Confidence is everything—we make it okay to fail, to try again, and to learn through play.”
From following instructions and improving coordination, to learning how to work independently and as part of a group—these sessions are about building life skills as much as football ones.
Energy, Expression, and Engagement
So how do they do it? The answer is equal parts preparation and personality.
“If I look like I’m having the best time ever, the children will too,” says Terri. “I use facial expressions, fun characters, varied tones of voice, and animated body language to keep them engaged. It has to feel like the best 40 minutes of their week!”
And Chloe agrees:
“We keep drills short to help children refocus and always connect the themes to what interests them most. The aim is to help them love football from the very beginning.”
Small Steps. Big Moments.
Every parent knows those early years fly by in a blur of milestones and memories—and that’s why Kixx takes this age group so seriously.
Coaches like Terri and Chloe bring both the care and the craft. They’re trained to support early fundamental movement patterns, agility (yes—even at 18 months!), balance, and coordination. But they’re also creating magical shared experiences—time for children and parents to laugh, learn, and grow together.
As Terri says:
“The best players aren’t just the most skilled, but the ones who show determination, resilience, and a love for the game. That starts here.”
We couldn’t be prouder to have coaches like Terri and Chloe leading the way. And while they’re based in Doncaster, we’re lucky to have passionate, experienced coaches like them in Kixx academies across the country—each one delivering high-quality coaching, care, and character-building to the next generation.
So whether you’re already part of the Kixx family or thinking about joining us, know that your child is in safe hands with #TeamOrange—coaches who care, coaches who inspire, and coaches who make every session count.
If you’ve been inspired by this story and want to join #TeamOrange as a coach, please head to kixx.org.uk/careers/#positions to explore our current vacancies and take your first step into a rewarding career.
