Players will be forever blowing bubbles

Crossbar Coaching Education in Sport director Gavin Cowan is delighted to have teamed up with Telford Bubble Footie to add to the enjoyment factor for children attending their school holiday courses.

Bubble football sees players wear inflatable body zorbs with only their legs and feet free to allow them to run and kick a ball.

"We're two local companies who are striving for success and linking in with the local community," said Gavin.

"We both see this as an opportunity to link in and provide services for the children who attend our school holiday clubs to enjoy themselves.

"That might be by coming along to our soccer schools or for Telford Bubble Footie to put on events for some of the children who attend our courses to go to.

"We've got lots of exciting ideas for what we're hoping to put on for youngsters and we're really excited.

"We've already had bubble footie with us during October half-term and the children at our courses in Telford and Shrewsbury absolutely loved it.

"We also plan to have them with us for our Christmas holiday clubs at London Road Sports Centre in Shrewsbury and Telford's Lawley Primary School between December 21 and 23.

"It's now going to be a regular feature to our soccer schools and it's something alternative.

"We're all about football development and trying to make the youngsters better players, but it's also about fun and children engaging in something a little bit alternative.

"The bubble footie sessions have really gone down well."

Shaun Williams, who runs Telford Bubble Footie with his wife Nikki, said he was looking forward to working regularly with Crossbar, who also deliver sport across the curriculum in a host of county schools.

He added: "Since we've partnered Crossbar we've enjoyed spending time at some of their holiday clubs which has led to some bookings.

"We started Telford Bubble Footie in April and since then it's really taken off – it's getting bigger and more successful.

"Games are usually five-a-side. Players get into the body of the zorbs. Their heads and bodies are completely in the zorbs, so it's just their legs and feet that are free.

"We do 10 minutes each half of football, just banging and crashing into each other, falling over, rolling around.

"We also play games like British Bulldog and Protect the President, just some fun games towards the end of a session as the emphasis is firmly on fun.

"Bubble footie has been in the UK for about two or three years. It's very popular in the big cities."