SoccerKiddos is a popular local business run by Marin mom Sarah Vigil, and offers developmentally-appropriate soccer classes for little ones age 2.5 to 3.5. We caught up with Coach Sarah and asked her to tell us about herself and her business, and her new offerings for kids this fall. For more information or to register for upcoming Soccerkiddos sessions, visit marinsoccerkiddos.com.

Please tell us about yourself. What's your background?

I am originally from Long Beach, California. I attended UC Berkeley for my undergraduate work, majoring in social welfare with a sociology concentration and education minor. Afterwards, I attended San Francisco State University to earn my multiple subject teaching credential (with a focus in early childhood education) and masters in elementary education along with a site supervisor and directors' permit.

After many years living in San Francisco, my husband and I decided that Marin would be an amazing place to raise our family. We love the community in Corte Madera (having worked here for over 15 years I found the families and community very welcoming) as well as the many outdoor adventure opportunities and wonderful education offered. We have two children: Avery, 5 and Austin, 7.

What inspired you to start your business?

While earning my teaching credential and masters in elementary education at SFSU, I also became one of the founding teachers at Cow Hollow School (a magical preschool located in the Presidio of San Francisco) where I taught for five years and then became the office administrator for four. During this time I solidified my love of working with young children and became more and more interested in the kinesthetic learning (one of Howard Gardner's multiple intelligences) of children at a young age.

I then joined on with a company called SoccerKids that offered soccer to 3.5- to 7-year-olds and became a head coach in southern Marin. After a few years I helped SoccerKids create a developmentally appropriate curriculum for 2.5- to 3.5-year-olds.

In 2014 (now the mom of two children of a young age) I realized there were very few, if any, programs that focused on the younger kids aged 18 months to 2.5 years. And the programs that were around were not focused on the kinesthetic learning that I loved. It was then, with the encouragement of my husband and some friends, that I began my own company, SoccerKiddos, for 18-month to 2.5-year-olds. I loved being able to take my background in education as well as my love for soccer (I played from age 3 all the way through college at UC Berkeley) and create a program for little ones.

 
How do you balance work with family time?

I have chosen to work only in the mornings so that I can be a full-time mom to my kids in the afternoons. It is not always a balance between work and home, but as a family we work to understand that there are times I work seven days a week and there are times I'm not working for a few weeks and can help at school and go to the playground or just hang at home together. Having the support and understanding of my kids and husband has been invaluable and encourages me to keep the business going. I feel lucky that I get so much time to be a part of my children's development and volunteer to coach their soccer and volunteer at their school.
 
What do you love about living and working in Marin?

I created SoccerKiddos to not only provide a program for parents/caregivers to partner together with their children, myself, and other families but to be an advocate for children and their development physically. Marin has a community that encourages these relationships/partnerships and allows for outdoor activity year round. I feel that sports can at times be stressful and overwhelming for children and families. And while the children I work with are young I love that SoccerKiddos can provide a safe and fun environment where children have all while learning soccer.
 
What kind of classes does SoccerKiddos offer this fall?

SoccerKiddos is excited to offer for the first time a Fall 2 Season. The Fall 2 Season will be coached by Coach DJ and will be a mini four-week season beginning the second week of November and ending mid-December (skipping the Thanksgiving week). Classes will be offered on Friday mornings at Strawberry Recreation Center, Saturday mornings in Marinwood, and Sunday mornings in Corte Madera! And the great news is, we are backed by indoor so it's a win-win for everyone!

The Fall 2 Mini Season will give children an opportunity to continue to play for a little longer! And, with indoor back up for all locations parents will know they have a guaranteed activity for the potential wet days. Fall 2 registration is now open at marinsoccerkiddos.com and winter registration will begin November 1 for classes starting in January (schedule will be posted in mid-October).