Mar 24 - Jhb South East

Little Kickers, the world’s largest
preschool football academy, continues
to make waves in Johannesburg
South under the guidance of Monique
Piderit, a registered dietitian turned
entrepreneur, and her husband Jarrod,
an executive at a multinational FMCG
company.
Jarrod’s recent completion of his MBA,
coupled with his experience running
business units of billions of rands, places
him in the perfect position to guide,
direct, and steer the direction of the
business for growth. Having learnt the
vital skill of self-promotion and marketing
in her own practice, Monique heads
up the marketing of Little Kickers.
Together, since January 2023, the Piderits
have spearheaded the growth of
the Little Kickers branch, witnessing a
remarkable increase from 190 to nearly
300 children last year alone.
We talked to registered dietitian
and owner Monique Piderit about
Little Kickers.
Fostering love for football and sport
The essence of Little Kickers lies in its
philosophy of ‘Play not Push’, focusing
on fostering a love for football and
sport in children aged 18 months to
eight years old.
With a network spanning 32 countries
and over 2 250 coaches, Little Kickers
emphasises a pressure-free environment
where children can develop
not only football skills, but also crucial
life skills.
Monique’s journey with Little Kickers
began as a parent, enrolling her own
children in the programme.
Witnessing the positive impact on their
confidence and recognising the value
of introducing a healthy lifestyle at a
young age, she was inspired to take on
a more active role.
‘When the opportunity arose to acquire
the business, we jumped at the chance,
drawn to the unique blend of sport
and early childhood development
offered by Little Kickers,’ says Monique.
Little Kickers’ classes in Johannesburg
South cater to different age groups,
offering tailored experiences that
promote maximum engagement and
interaction.
From Little Kicks for toddlers to Mega
Kickers for older children, each class
focuses on skills development while
maintaining an atmosphere of fun
and play.
Little Kickers:
Fostering football fun
With Monique and Jarrod Piderit at the helm, Little
Kickers in Johannesburg South continues to enrich the
lives of children, offering not just football fun but also
valuable lessons that extend far beyond the pitch
Monique and Jarrod’s involvement in Little Kickers reflects their commitment to
promoting holistic child development.
As a registered dietitian and mother of two, Monique understands the importance
of instilling healthy habits. As for Jarrod, an avid sportsman throughout his school
career, fostering a positive attitude towards physical activity from an early age is a
key principle that he drives in his young boys.
Benefits for little ones
‘We focus on ‘fun first’ and our international programmes, developed by experts
in childhood development like sports scientists, OTs, physios, and teachers deliver
high-quality football skills, combined with important preschool learning concepts
like colour and number recognition, sharing, following instructions and using
the imagination.’
For parents seeking engaging and developmental activities for their children, Little
Kickers stands out for several reasons.
‘It promotes physical health and fitness through activities that enhance cardiovascular
endurance, muscle strength, coordination and agility.’
Additionally, it fosters social development by providing opportunities for teamwork,
communication, and sportsmanship, while also contributing to children’s
psychological well-being by boosting confidence and resilience.
Quarterly badge certifications highlight the key skills children acquire, further motivating
and engaging them in the process.
Through anecdotes and observations shared by parents and participants, the positive
impact of Little Kickers becomes evident.
‘Children benefit from improved physical development, enhanced social skills,
increased confidence, better emotional regulation, and cognitive stimulation.
This and that
As entrepreneurs, the Piderits embody the spirit of community and passion for
healthy living.
Monique was born and bred in the south of Johannesburg and her upbringing in a
Portuguese household laid the foundation for her career path.
Surrounded by the aromas and flavours of home-cooked meals, she developed a
deep appreciation for the value of good nutrition.
Armed with a PhD in Dietetics from the University of Pretoria, Monique is on a
mission to educate people about healthy eating habits.
Her commitment to nutritional advocacy extends beyond her professional
endeavours, as she seamlessly balances her roles as a dietitian, business owner,
and mother. She has been married to her husband, Jarrod since 2016 and cherishes
her family life, raising two young boys, Joshua and Daniel, while pursuing her
career ambitions.
Despite the demands of full-time practice and running Little Kickers, she finds
solace in her hobbies.
From watching action-packed movies to diving into non-fiction books, her diverse
interests reflect her multifaceted personality and unwavering dedication to personal
and professional growth.
12 Get It Joburg South • Alberton • Bedfordview • Greenstone • Modderfontein March 2024
GIS0308_012_754324157.indd 12 2024/02/15 09:43:25