Having a ball

THEY say rugby is a young man's game, and they don't come much younger than this. But they're not the only toddlers to learn sporting skills, writes Janet Christie

• Selling a dummy: Their handling may still leave a bit to be desired, but these youngsters are getting the hang of it – and learning social skills too at Rugbytots sessions in Edinburgh

'NO BITING," warns the rugby coach as a young rookie sinks his teeth into the ball. Meanwhile, his teammate hides another ball up his jumper and slips past the coach. But such flagrant disregard of the rules doesn't earn the young offenders a red card, as the game is being played by two- and three-year-olds in a church hall in north Edinburgh, and it's all dummies instead of gumshields and Pampers instead of jockstraps as the six youngsters take part in Rugbytots, one of a growing number of sports aimed specifically at toddlers.

Part of the push to encourage physical activity in children and build the habit of taking exercise from an early age, the Rugbytots franchise was started two years ago in England, with the aim of using rugby-specific skills to aid in the development of children from as young as two. As well as teaching running with the ball and scoring tries, the children are encouraged to build core skills, such as balance, agility and co-ordination, as well as begin to develop social attributes, including sharing, taking turn and teamwork.

"It's great to get little kids involved in physical activity from such an early age," says 35-year-old Carl McWilliam, who bought the Edinburgh, Lothian and Borders franchise of Rugbytots with his wife Kirsty a year ago. "They're learning the basic motor skills – catching, throwing, passing, kicking – as well as colour, shape and number recognition. They're also learning teamwork, and it builds confidence. I didn't like the way things were going, with kids sitting with an Xbox when they should be outside," says the father of two.

A former Watsonians player, he and his wife came across rugby for toddlers on the internet after their three-year-old son, Finlay, enjoyed Socatots and they wondered if there was a rugby equivalent. Now he's coaching 200 kids a week in three age groups, with five classes on a Saturday. Led by coaches who are paediatric first-aiders, SRU-qualified and with enhanced disclosure with the Criminal Records Bureau, the classes cover three age groups, from two to seven years old, when the children can join traditional clubs.

"There was nothing like this in Scotland, so it was a no-brainer. We signed up straight away, and it's just spread and spread through word of mouth. We have classes all over Edinburgh, the Lothians and just held a taster day in Gala, where twice as many as expected turned up," says Mr McWilliam.

Susan Wright, from Edinburgh, is typical of the parents who take their kids to Rugbytots. Her son, Archie, is two and has just joined the classes. "My husband and I are keen rugby fans and thought it would give him something to keep fit that's also structured with rules, that would teach him about playing as part of a team. We want him to be out in the fresh air instead of sitting watching TV, and if he doesn't like rugby when he's older, that's fine. Of course, it would be our dream that he would play for Scotland one day, but that might not be his dream. Is there a future Six Nations champion in one of those classes? I think there's every likelihood. Tiger Woods started golf at three and look where he got to."

Sports for the under-fives is a growing market, with a lot of competition for the attention of parents keen their children should have every opportunity. Across Scotland every day, toddlers who once watched the world go by from their buggies are being signed up for a vast range of activities that includes football, swimming and ballet.

According to Graeme Scobie, public health adviser for NHS Health Scotland, being active from an early age has many health benefits. "It can help children sleep, maintain a healthy weight and help them feel good," he says. "Active children can often go on to become active adults, and they should become active as early as possible. Fun activities in a play-orientated environment, such as floor-based play or playing in local parks, should be encouraged and don't have to cost anything. Participating in organised activities or classes helps children develop movement skills and learn new social skills with their friends."

It was the social-skills element that attracted Calum Stark to tennis lessons for his son Douglas, now six, at the David Lloyd Centre in Newhaven. "He was doing swimming, which is great for fitness, but we wanted him to do something more sociable. He enjoys running around with another five or so children in his class and is learning ball control with sponge balls and balloons, and racket control." Watching from the sidelines is little brother Fergus, who is two and can't wait for his next birthday so he can join in. "He's desperate to play too," says Mr Stark.

David McLean, junior tennis pro and coach at David Lloyd, says: "It's about building up a skill base using different types of balls, sending and receiving, moving side to side, handling a racket. It's also good for them socially and it's good for their concentration. We start them from three years old, and by four they can rally and play the game."

Has Mr McLean come across any pushy parents of the Agassi senior type? "There will always be parents who you wonder if they want their child to enjoy sport or if they have goals they couldn't fulfil themselves. But in the current climate, the amount of training kids have to go through to become elite athletes is increasing and if we want competitive squads that will push themselves to national level, this is where to start."

At SportScotland, Jacqueline Lynn, head of school and community sport, emphasises the fun element. "At two and three, it's important that they're having fun and getting basic movement and co-ordination skills. If they start enjoying badminton, football and rugby too, that's great. I think the most important thing is that parents are giving children at that young age the possibility of doing sport, and the more we can get these opportunities to all young people, the better.

"It needn't be something that costs money. There are play parks and swimming pools that children love to play in, but the critical thing is to convince the parents to take them there when they're young," she says.

Sarah McAhon, exercise development officer at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, agrees. "Just getting kids moving is the major thing we need to focus on, because that's not happening at the moment," she says.

"We are finding kids in primary schools with type 2 diabetes, formerly late onset diabetes, so there's definitely a problem."

But it's not all tries, goals and slam-dunks in the world of toddler sports. There is also the rustle of tutus and the slap of silk slipper to be heard as babies as young as six months are signed up for baby ballet. Another franchise operation, the first Scottish Babyballet was opened in West Lothian and Falkirk by 21-year-old Leanne Pattison a year ago.

"It's really popular and there's a high demand because traditional schools won't take them until they're three and toilet-trained," she says.

"We have classes from six to 18 months, then 18 months to three, and the babies learn to clap to the beat of the music and the older ones how to twirl with a scarf and pirouette. Once music gets into their system, it stays with them for life." Fellow Babyballet franchisee Claire Robertson says that, as well as the ballet skills, toddlers enjoy time with their parents. "It's amazing how many children don't get time to interact with their mum and dad at home."

But isn't it hard to be graceful when you have chubby knees, a disproportionately big head and, let's be honest, a bit of a tummy?

"Some of them are very light on their feet, while others charge around a lot and need a bit of support to stand on one foot. Some of the mums ask if their babies will be twirling and pirouetting across the room, but if they can't walk yet, it's unlikely…"

Pirouetting is no problem for two-year-old Mylo Ness back at Rugbytots, as he dodges around the room with mum Sherina in pursuit. "My husband played at school and this is the only rugby we could find for him.

" He loves it. It's good to get him a bit more discipline, because it's hard to discipline a two-year-old," she laughs.

Meanwhile, Finlay Phillips, three, scores a hat-trick over the half-metre-high crossbar, to his dad's delight. "He never leaves here without a smile," he says – the same obviously goes for dad too.

"When you see a two-and-a-half-year-old slot a goal, the parents go mental," says Mr McWilliam.

Team spirit, social skills, fitness and health – all laudable aims. But for many parents, the thrill of watching their potential future Scotland player score is the ultimate thrill.