What is Tiny Troops Soccer?
Tiny Troops Soccer is a toddler and preschool soccer program built for military families and open to everyone.
Founded by military spouse Amy Schweizer in Okinawa, Japan, in 2014, Tiny Troops provides developmentally appropriate soccer classes for children ages 18 months–5 years in communities surrounding military installations.
Through movement and play, Tiny Troops Soccer helps young children develop early soccer skills while building confidence, friendships, and a sense of belonging.
More than 30,000 children have participated in Tiny Troops Soccer.
Tiny Troops Soccer At a Glance
Founded: 2014
Founded in: Okinawa, Japan
Founder: Amy Schweizer, military spouse
Ages: 18 months–5 years
Program: Developmentally appropriate toddler and preschool soccer
Created for: Military families
Open to: Military and civilian families
Children served: 30,000+
Historic reach: Nearly 50 military communities
Focus: Soccer skills, gross motor movement, confidence, friendships, and belonging
Why Was Tiny Troops Soccer Created?
Tiny Troops Soccer was created because founder Amy Schweizer saw a problem in her own military community. When her family was stationed in Okinawa, Japan, Amy was looking for activities for her young children. The problem she encountered was that few sports programs existed for children under 5 years old.
Instead of accepting this, Amy decided to create her own.
The first program began in 2014 with approximately 30 children.
As military families and coaches PCS'd to new duty stations, Amy realized the need extended far beyond Okinawa. Military families across the world were looking for age-appropriate activities, community, friendships, and consistency for their young children.
Tiny Troops began expanding to other military communities.
Since then, more than 30,000 children have participated in the program.
What Happens in Class?
Tiny Troops classes are designed specifically for toddlers and preschoolers. Children learn through short, age-appropriate activities. Every class includes imaginative games, movement, and repetition.
Depending on their age group, Tiny Troopers work on skills such as:
- Dribbling and ball control
- Kicking and shooting
- Listening and following directions
- Balance and coordination
- Gross motor development
- Taking turns
- Playing alongside other children
- Confidence participating in a group
The goal is to help children enjoy movement, become comfortable with a soccer ball, gain confidence, and have a positive first experience with sports.
Why is Tiny Troops Soccer Built for Military Families?
Military children often experience transitions that their civilian peers do not. PCS moves can mean a new home, new routines, new friends, and an entirely new community. This often occurs every few years. Tiny Troops was created by a military spouse who understood that experience firsthand.
The program gives young children a place to be active, make friends, build confidence, and feel part of a community at their duty station.
Tiny Troops has also expanded alongside military families. A child who participates at one duty station may encounter the same familiar Tiny Troops experience after moving to another Tiny Troops community.
That consistency is one of the reasons Tiny Troops is more than simply a soccer class.
Tiny Troops is built for military families, but families do not have to be affiliated with the military to participate at locations open to the civilian community.
Is This Competitive Soccer?
No. Tiny Troops Soccer is an introductory developmental soccer program designed for toddlers and preschoolers. We do not require any previous soccer experience, and the emphasis is on learning soccer and having fun, not on winning games.
For many Tiny Troopers, this is their very first organized activity. Tiny Troops Soccer introduces children to soccer through age-appropriate instruction and play while helping them develop physical, social, and emotional skills.
What Ages Does Tiny Troops Soccer Serve?
Tiny Troops Soccer serves children ages 18 months to 4 years, with some locations serving up to 5 years old. Children do not need to know how to play soccer before attending. Our program is designed to be an introduction to soccer.
More Than 30,000 Tiny Troopers and Counting
Since 2014, Tiny Troops Soccer has served more than 30,000 children. Tiny Troops families have reported improvements in children's happiness, opportunities to socialize and form friendships, and reduced anxiety during military moves.
Since 2014, Tiny Troops Soccer has served more than 30,000 children. Tiny Troops families have reported improvements in children's happiness, opportunities to socialize and form friendships, and reduced anxiety during military moves.
Common Questions About Tiny Troops Soccer
Ready to Meet Your Tiny Troops Soccer Community?
Whether your family just arrived at a new duty station, you're looking for your child's first activity, or you simply want a fun introduction to soccer, we'd love to meet your future Tiny Trooper.