I’m a parent, so I know how demanding parenting can be. I am full of admiration for anyone who has to juggle working and looking after children, for example.

Yes, we want the best for our children, but parenting is not without its challenges. Including cost.

My own children are growing up fast and, since I started coaching last year, I’ve seen less of them.

I’ve really enjoyed the one-to-one and team coaching sessions I’ve done since I launched The Dave Kitson Academy in November – but I’ve been getting a lot of feedback from parents, asking if I will be putting on more group sessions.

The answer is yes. But I’m keen to do it right. I know that one challenge as a parent is finding activities to keep your children occupied, that they enjoy, and don’t cost the earth. If you can find something that is good for them, even better.

I’m starting a month-long series of group coaching sessions in June for boys and girls of different age groups, at Move HQ in Winnersh.

The sessions will take place on Saturdays and Wednesdays and there are six groups in total.

From 4-5pm on Saturdays (starting on June 1), there will be a mixed boys and girls group for 7-9 year olds, followed straight after (from 5-6pm) with a group session for girls aged 10-12, then a session for 10-12 year old boys from 6-7pm.

Then on Wednesdays, starting on June 5, I will be putting on a series of group coaching sessions for boys and girls aged from 4-6 years old. This will be followed by a group session for 13-15 year old girls from 6-7pm, then a session for 13-15 year old boys from 7-8pm.

I’m keen to make the sessions affordable. So a block of four sessions will be available for just £50, at £12.50 per session.

If you are interested in booking, please email mark@davekitsonacademy.co.uk

The aim of the group coaching sessions will include the children having fun, and I will be passing on some of my knowledge so that any of the children taking part can improve and grow in confidence.

That’s not all I will be up to in June. In addition to my one-to-one, group and team coaching sessions, I am also discussing an opportunity to do some coaching for an EFL academy team and I will be preparing for my first trip to Nauru, where I will attempt to put a plan in place to assemble a team that can play the island nation’s first ever competitive game this year.

And watch out for The Dave Kitson Academy team at a club event near you. I was at Finchampstead FC’s annual event last weekend and will be attending events on Saturday and Sunday that are being organised by AFC Charvil and Woodley United.

Our fastest shot competition was a big hit on Sunday. Congratulations to Lily, James and Harvey, who managed the fastest shots in their respective age groups. Harvey was our overall winner, registering a shot of more than 60mph!

I’d also like to thank Gavin, Hannah and their families for their help on the day and to Neil and his team for their assistance. I’m looking forward to our upcoming events.

There’s still a bit of football to be played before the season ends but, before we know it, many of us will be cheering on England at Euro 2024.

I’m an admirer of Gareth Southgate and what he has done for England – but Reading fans might recall that our first ever Premier League game was also Southgate’s first ever game as a manager. He’s come a long way since seeing a 2-0 lead that day turn into a 3-2 win for Reading.

I do think England have a realistic opportunity to win a major tournament for the first time since 1966, given the quality of the players we have. Kane, Bellingham, Rice, Foden, Saka and co have what it takes to take us to another final under Southgate – and hopefully to go one step further than they managed three years ago.

With all due respect to Denmark, Serbia and Slovenia, I can’t see anything other than a group win for England.

France are potentially the biggest threat to England’s hopes of success this summer, but I’m interested to see how Germany will fare on home soil – and I won’t be at all surprised if we see Spain and Portugal in the mix.

I don’t think any other nation can boast the strength and quality that England have going forward. Kane is clearly a contender as top scorer, especially with support from Foden, Saka and Bellingham.

We’re less than a month away from the tournament’s first game – and we don’t have long to wait until England’s first game against Serbia.

By then, either Foden or Saka will have a Premier League winner’s medal and Bellingham could be a Champions League winner.

I’m feeling optimistic about England’s chances. Roll on June 16!