Soccer Stars are inspiring the next generation of footballers across Wexford and beyond

Soccer Stars, a rapidly growing football school for toddlers, has been making waves across the South East since it first launched in October 2024….

In just one year, the business has expanded to 11 locations. This includes seven schools in County Wexford (Kilanerin, Wexford, Killenagh, New Ross, Kiltealy, Ferns, and Enniscorthy), two in County Waterford (Cappoquin and Waterford), and two in County Wicklow (Greystones and Bray).

We caught up with the owner of Soccer Stars – Larissa Lima – to discuss the school’s rapid growth, some challenges that she has faced, and her hopes for the future with the business.

Aimed at children aged between 1.5 and 5 years old, Soccer Stars introduces toddlers to sport through fun, friendly, and pressure-free football activities:

“Football is the perfect game for developing young bodies for any type of sport — and we do it all with a smile on their faces and a ball at their feet,” Larissa Lima said.

The focus, however, goes far beyond developing early football skills:

“At Soccer Stars, it’s not just about football — it’s about fun, friendship, and confidence. We encourage all parents to join in during classes to support their children, enhancing not only their enjoyment but yours too.”

The team involved believes that introducing football at an early age can create a lifelong love of sport:

“Football is the world’s most popular sport, probably because it’s a game anyone can play and keep playing throughout their entire lives, at any age. Teach your child the game that could be a gift lasting a lifetime,” she said.

However, the journey hasn’t been without its challenges. Like many small businesses in Wexford, staffing has been one of the biggest hurdles during their first year:

“We offer a great hourly rate, but since our classes only run on Saturdays and Sundays, people often move on to other jobs that can offer them more hours,” they explained. “It can be tough — we find someone great for the role, invest time in training and preparing them, and after a few months, they end up leaving,” Larissa told Wexford Weekly.

Despite this, the Soccer Stars team remains optimistic and focused on their mission. Classes run year-round, and not just seasonally or in the Summer when the Irish weather improves.

“We are not a seasonal football school,” they said. “We run all year round, helping kids develop through play every weekend.”

Looking ahead, Soccer Stars hopes to continue expanding and bringing their unique, family-friendly football experience to even more communities:

“Our aim is to grow and open more schools,” they said. “We want as many children as possible to enjoy the benefits of football — fun, fitness, and friendship — from the very start.”