Early Foundations on the Field
In Salt Lake City, a modest program is turning the city’s parks into early‑learning labs for soccer. The Soccer Shots initiative welcomes children as young as 18 months, offering a playful introduction to the sport while fostering basic character traits such as cooperation and confidence.
Annie Bolger, the program’s dedicated instructor, brings a blend of enthusiasm and patience to each session. She tailors her coaching to the tiny attention spans of preschoolers, using simple cues and gentle corrections to guide them through the fundamentals of footwork and ball control.
Four‑year‑old Kai exemplifies the rapid progress that can happen on the field. Despite the occasional puddle or stray distraction, he quickly grasps that soccer is played with the feet and that the ultimate aim is to send the ball into a goal, his face lighting up each time he scores.
Bolger says watching these youngest participants grow is the most rewarding part of her work. She notes that the program does more than teach a game; it builds a foundation for social interaction, resilience, and a love of physical activity that can last a lifetime.