KMTS – How Kenora Communicates

KMTS Kiddie Kickers Soccer League

“In the spring of 2009 Kiddie Kickers was merely an idea tossed between two busy moms. It was clear that there was a need for a preschool age program for kids too young to register for the Minor Soccer League. Nicole Lentz and Heather Pais, grade 7 & 8 teachers at St. Thomas Aquinas, had previously coached Minor Soccer. They were confident that introducing children to the fundamentals earlier would help foster a love for the sport, so Nicole & Heather thought about a feeder program, similar to the preschool programs for hockey and gymnastics. It was obvious, from the beginning, that there would be no way to bring the idea to fruition without the support of a corporate sponsor. It did not take long for Nicole & Heather to decide who they wanted to approach with their idea.

KMTS was clearly the best choice based upon their visibility in the community and their history of sponsoring athletic programs for youth. On the suggestion of Stace Gander, General Manager, Nicole met with Lorrie McKie, Sales & Marketing Manager to present the plan that she and Heather had developed. Lorrie enthusiastically embraced the idea, immediately fostering a partnership and quickly bringing the KMTS Kiddie Kicker soccer program to life. The KMTS Kiddie Kickers soccer program accepted registrations from 90 children between the ages of 3 and 5 years for their 2009 season. Parents and grandparents volunteered to coach, and in the first week of June, Nicole & Heather watched in awe as their dream became a reality. The 2009 season was an absolute success! Twice weekly families flocked to the St. Thomas Aquinas Soccer Field. Grandparents, parents, siblings and extended family spent the evenings watching in awe on the sidelines. Despite some rather wet weather, and even frigid downpours, the faithful families and fans came to cheer on their little KMTS Kiddie Kickers with pride and laughter. The end of the 2009 season coincided with the end of the school year, but the interest and commitment of the little athletes and their families has continued.

Nicole & Heather anticipate doubling the program for 2010 in order to accommodate the increase in demand and to avoid having to turn away children who want to participate. With the continuing support of KMTS, Nicole and Heather plan to run the same Monday/Wednesday session as last year, while adding a Tuesday/Thursday session as well. This will allow for the enrolment of between 120 and 160 children. With the willing assistance of parent coaches Nicole & Heather are eager to begin planning for a year that promises to be bigger and better than last year. Nicole & Heather are quick to point out that their dream would have fizzled if KMTS had not been a committed part of the picture from the very beginning. “When you see all the little ones wearing their KMTS Kiddie Kicker shirts with pride you know you have done something right” says Nicole with a smile. “I am still in awe at the way it all came together … the support of KMTS, the time and effort of some incredibly giving and good humoured parents, the enthusiasm of laughing children as they run as fast as they can down to the field in the pouring rain … and to think it all started with one really cool idea tossed between us over hot chocolates in my kitchen on a cold day in March! Thanks to KMTS that idea has grown and hopefully it will continue to grow. Without hesitation we can say KMTS rocks!”

Nicole Lentz