Spotlight: First Footy NE — Morpeth
Football coaching for children as young as eighteen months, filling a gap in Morpeth's provision for pre-school and early-years sport.
Finding structured physical activity for toddlers and very young children can be a challenge in any town. First Footy NE — Morpeth fills that gap with football coaching designed specifically for children aged eighteen months to seven years, held at King Edward VI School.
Founded in Cramlington in 2024 by coaches Cheryl Rutherford and Lewis Sampson, First Footy NE expanded to Morpeth after identifying a clear demand for early-years football in the town. The Morpeth sessions run on Thursday evenings, with "Micro Footy" from 5pm for the youngest participants and "Mini Footy" from 5:45pm for older children.
The sessions are not about turning toddlers into the next Alan Shearer. At this age, the focus is on fundamental movement skills — balance, coordination, spatial awareness and confidence — delivered through fun, football-themed games and activities. The coaches create a supportive, high-energy environment where children learn to follow instructions, take turns and socialise with peers, all while kicking a ball around.
Since launching, First Footy NE has grown rapidly across Northumberland, with venues in Alnwick, Ashington, Blyth and beyond. They also offer football birthday parties, holiday camps and one-to-one development sessions for children who want extra practice.
For Morpeth parents looking to get their little ones active and social on a weekday evening, First Footy offers a well-structured, professionally coached option that meets children exactly where they are developmentally.