Lil’ Kickers: Shaping Young Minds Through Soccer and Skill-Building

Lil’ Kickers is a nationally recognized youth program dedicated to teaching soccer to children from 18 months to 12 years old. Originally launched in 1999 at Arena Sports in Seattle, Washington, the initiative has flourished into a widespread franchise, now operating at over 100 locations throughout the U.S.

The curriculum is thoughtfully structured for various age brackets, combining soccer instruction with a strong emphasis on child development. Each session is guided by principles from respected child development research, supporting growth in physical abilities, emotional resilience, and social confidence—offering benefits that extend well beyond the playing field.

What sets Lil’ Kickers apart is its whole-child approach. The program blends athletic training with character-building in a fun, nurturing environment. This formula has earned the trust of families across the nation, with more than two million children having participated since its inception.

Training

Lil' Kickers offers a well-structured training system for its franchisees to ensure quality and consistency across all locations:

1. Initial Training Program
   Before opening, the Designated Manager and at least one officer or beneficial owner of the franchisee must complete the initial training program to the Franchisor's satisfaction. This training includes administrative and operational aspects of the business and takes place at the franchisor’s headquarters or a designated location. While the training itself has no fee, the franchisee covers travel, accommodation, and salary costs for attendees.
2. Technology and Software Setup
   The franchisor provides remote support to assist with the initial setup of the software systems used to manage classes, products, seasons, and customer interactions. This ensures franchisees are fully equipped with the necessary digital tools from the outset.
3. Coordinator Training
   Twice a year, the franchisor offers Coordinator Training at its headquarters or a designated venue. After the first year of operation, the franchisee must send at least one employee annually to this training, which includes curriculum on running field activities, child development, business development, and marketing. A training fee is applicable along with associated travel expenses.
4. Annual Leadership Conference
   The Designated Manager is required to attend this annual event for continuing education, where franchisees can receive updates and new strategies related to the franchise system.

Territory Protection

Lil' Kickers offers a mix of exclusive and non-exclusive territorial protections depending on the type of program a franchisee operates. Franchisees running a traditional Lil' Kickers Program typically receive an “Exclusive Area,” generally defined as a 10-minute driving radius around their facility.

This exclusivity prevents other Lil' Kickers franchises from operating within that radius, provided the franchisee meets all contractual obligations.

However, for those operating a Micro Lil' Kickers Program, the territory is classified as “Non-exclusive.” This means the franchisor retains the right to establish or allow other franchises, or even operate company-owned locations, within the same area.

Moreover, the franchisor may sell services or licenses using the Lil' Kickers brand through various channels, including online and retail, even within a franchisee’s Exclusive Area.