The Newmarket Soccer Club is going to school.

The club is offering elementary schools in Newmarket a program intended to combine fun and fitness-themed activities with regular school curriculum.

Despite a decline in numbers for a sport that not long ago seemed bulletproof, the concept is not a soccer club initiative to recruit members.

In fact, the push is a collaborative effort by Canadian Soccer Association and Physical and Health Education Canada to help deliver physical literacy programs to elementary school students. The timing also coincides with Canada hosting the 2015 Women’s World Cup this summer.

“I always think a soccer club, or any organization, should be a focal point in the community and with the numbers in our club, it is nice to go and offer an athletic program,” said NSC technical director Jason Beckford. “It’s important to reach out to the community and say, ‘We’re delivering a service to you’.”

Currently in the presentation stage to school representatives, Beckford is overseeing the program, which includes sessions that can be tailored to needs of individual schools. He played a similar role on behalf of Manchester City after his retirement from the professional ranks.

“It’s common back in the U.K. to go into schools and help deliver a curriculum,” said Beckford, who anticipates a positive reception. “The schools are into healthy lifestyles and it generally is a principal who is into that (concept) where it is well-received.

“We can only put it out there and see who responds. Schools have to consider what they are doing for physical education agendas that have been a problem in much of the western world.”

Though not a membership drive, the program could translate into wider exposure for NSC at the grassroots level and across the community. The initiative is tailored to intermediate and senor grade levels for elementary schools.

The initial presentation was made to Maple Leaf Public School Friday with positive reviews, according to NSC president Dave Hanson.