WHEN Strictly’s Kai Widdrington was 12 he had to make a choice — football or dance.
At 14 he was a world Latin American dance champion, so clearly he made the right decision.
But he still remembers his time on the pitch with pride, and wowed a group of kids with his football skills thanks to The Sun.
Littleton Junior FC put Kai — who was once in the academy at Southampton — through his paces as they celebrated a £1,000 grant from our Footie For All campaign with Tesco, which is giving grassroots football a huge boost.
Kai told The Sun: “Football has always been a part of my life and to see younger generations still loving it is incredible.
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“Each of these kids is having the best time, and it makes me nostalgic for my years playing grassroots football. It would be criminal for these sessions not to be available to anyone who wants to play.”
The Latin and ballroom star, 28, was joined by his dad Tommy, 52, who manages Aldershot Town, and brother Theo, 25, a professional player and midfielder at the club.
Kai said: “When you’re young you take it for granted that you can play. Having goals and parents to help is a luxury.
“We used to just use bags or coats as a goal.
“Like these kids, I played because I loved the game. It’s such a golden memory to have with your friends.
“The skills I learnt on the pitch have stayed with me for life.
“A lot of the people I played grassroots with have gone on to coach at their local clubs and some, like my brother, play professionally.
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“When you play at this age, football remains part of your life.
“In my case, my dad lives, eats and breathes football. I was lucky to have a parent who played football professionally.
“But we’re all here because we love the game, same for the coaches and the kids.”
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Kai grew up moving around the country as Tommy started his career with Southampton.
Other clubs he played for included Port Vale and Hartlepool.
The family’s visit to Littleton Junior FC came as The Sun is offering another 150 grants of £1,000 each, after our first £150,000 cash pot helped squads across the country.
From starting up new teams and providing free places for kids from low-income families to replacing old and out-of-date equipment, the money has gone to good use.
So today we urge YOU to apply for one of our fantastic new Footie For All grants.
They can be used in any way that encourages kids to take up the sport or aids access to the game.
Perhaps you are a local team which wants to offer parents help with membership fees.
Maybe you need new kits or more pitch space to play on. Grants can also be used to help with transport or running costs.
Littleton Junior FC, near Winchester, Hants, have used their grant to buy new equipment for the club, which has more than 600 players and 104 coaches.
The club also have a hardship fund to ensure any families who are struggling don’t have to remove their kids from sessions.
Under-7’s coach Ken Holt, whose son Joshua, seven, plays, said: “The grant from The Sun has been hugely helpful, as all the kit required for the kids to play is really expensive.
“Even things like bibs and cones, the cost really adds up.
“But seeing how much the kids love it, the friendships they make and skills they develop is worth it.
“Having Kai and his family come to visit the boys was really exciting for them.
“Getting to play with a celebrity is great and they all really mucked in.”
Despite some initial nerves when the Widdringtons arrived, it didn’t take long before Rari, seven, made a beeline to Theo to ask him: “How many keepie-uppies can you do?”.
Without giving him, or Kai, a chance to demonstrate, the boys began showing off their own skills.
But Theo didn’t take long to display his tekkers and give tips.
Theo, who has fond memories of games with Pace Youth FC in Southampton, said: “It’s been lovely seeing these kids have fun in a safe space.
“When you’re this age there is nothing better than going out and scoring goals with your mates.
“Seeing how well this is run is amazing.
“These kids are learning life lessons, respect, dedication and an appreciation of team-mates — all while having a really fun time.”
Within seconds of leaving the pitch, Theo and Kai were called back for a game with the six-year-olds. “They’re like little Duracell batteries,” Kai joked, as he got tackled.
Proud Tommy told The Sun: “This is where it all starts and even at this young age I can see some kids here have potential to be great.
“They could be potential Premier League players. For many parents, money is hard, but you spend time running your kids around the country because you love them.
“Plus you have a potential footballer on your hands and you want to help them achieve their dreams.”
After winning the World Junior Latin American championship at 14 Kai landed a spot as a pro on Ireland’s Dancing With The Stars in 2017, before joining BBC One’s Strictly in 2021.
He is preparing for a live tour with girlfriend and fellow Strictly pro Nadiya Bychkova, 34.
He said: “Like a football game, if we make people laugh and cry during the show, we have done our job.”
- The tour kicks off on June 1. For tickets visit nadiyaandkai.com/
