Farmingdale Biz Q & A: Soccer Shots

Soccer Shots is a child health and fitness franchise that uses soccer to keep kids active by teaching teamwork and soccer skills. It currently provides programs at both  on Fulton Street and Prime Time Early Learning Center in Airport Plaza. 

The Farmingdale programs are run by Alex Gallego. He moved to the US from Colombia when he was 17 and after playing the sport in high school and college, Gallego helped his cousin run a successful manufacturing company for 12 years.  After making the decision to open his own business, Gallego started looking into franchising opportunities, when he came across Soccer Shots. 

Soccer Shots was founded in 2000 by former professional soccer players, Jeremy Sorzano and Jason Webb. 

Why did you decide to offer your program in Farmingdale?  
Gallego:  Farmingdale offers Soccer Shots a wide variety of possibilities, centrally located along the Nassau/Suffolk line. Farmingdale also has several schools, fields, nursery schools where soccer shots is beginning to make an impact on the children. Soccer Shots is offered now in several locations encouraging children to stay active and helping working parents through our "in school" programs to have their children play and learn all about the world’s most popular sport while attending school.

What did you do previously?
Gallego: I've been involved in the game of soccer for as long as I remember. I have trained teams for several soccer clubs and run development programs around the area. In addition to working as a personal trainer for several boys and girls ages 6-15 years, I also was a manufacturing production manager for a high-end natural stone mosaic company for 12 years. 

What's your curriculum?
Gallego: Our innovative curriculum extends beyond physical activity to use creative, simple play activities that incorporate values like teamwork, encouragement and cooperation. The enhancement of a child's coordination, balance and agility is often seen immediately, but it is the building blocks being created for a lifelong love of sports that have the strongest impact. Soccer Shots sessions are filled with lots of energy, skill development, age appropriate games, and fun! Each week we have a specific theme that the session is built around, and our instructors take great pride in having the children learn something new about soccer while having fun and getting lots of exercise.

How many kids are currently enrolled?
Gallego: Soccer Shots has about 600 children enrolled every season through our diverse programs, from "in school" programs, open to the public programs, summer programs, after school programs, and birthday parties. 

What's the most challenging and most rewarding parts of your job?
Gallego:  I look to spread the name of Soccer Shots, and bring the program to grade school age children throughout Long Island. I feel very fortunate to be able to bring my love of soccer and coaching to Soccer Shots. My philosophy in life is to find your passion and give everything you have to make that passion a reality. From this philosophy, I strive to ensure that my students and players practice honesty, perseverance, teamwork, and patience

Why should parents choose your program over the others in Farmingdale?
Gallego: Soccer Shots is the nationwide leader in non-competitive youth soccer development for children ages 2 - 8. Our nationally recognized non-competitive skills program offers a high energy, fun, age appropriate introduction to the wonderful game of soccer. Soccer Shots has been running non-competitive clinics specifically designed for 2-8 year olds for over 10 years. Our curriculum has been specifically developed with this age group in mind. While our ultimate goal is to develop a love of soccer and fitness for your child, we are firm believers that each child is capable of learning something new each session while having a blast in the process.

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