paultheroyal .....
Genuinely hope my 4 year old will follow same passions as your youngest.
..Indeed he's had gentle support and encouragement from me (as of course they all have) - helped that I probably brought him up: (gave up work for 6 years or more to stay at home; since missus earned considerably more than me and we decided we couldn't afford/might not need a nanny.)
Downside to that is he wouldn't eat any fruit or veg between the ages of 18 months and 12!
He approaches most things with laudable optimism and particularly sports/games. Decided early on (about 7-8) he wanted to try and play football for a team (wasn't stand-out at school at that or Rugby). He knew some of his schoolmates played on weekends, so we arranged to get him to one of the summer/pre-season trials. He joined a wonderful club with teams of all ages/abilities in possession of a great set of coaches - their top standard sides are very closely associated with RFC.
He's never looked back - has bags of enthusiasm - has no allusions as to his ability but has by sheer effort and training turned himself into an invaluable solid defender. Although he does love to go up front on the occasions they let him but has still not quite developed the mobility and is not blessed with pace. It may come with growth (he's nearly 13 now) but he's naturally 'sturdy' as opposed to athletic. This attribute has helped him progress - in school Rugby. He was never much above the 3rds at Junior school but went along to trials at Senior School and his determination to learn and follow instructions stood him out and he was selected - much to his great surprise and delight - for the Firsts. Does mean he has to choose occasionally between that and Football on Sat AM but he's pretty balanced about it.
I've tried to instill in him the importance of a clear head on the field and good organisation and clear communication is as vital as skill and pace - which of course he comes up against all the time. He puts in constantly solid performances in defence - he generally plays over on the left side when he's often up against the oppositions better players too. This gets him noticed week in week out and it's great to see he's rewarded with regular MotM by his coaches and peers and indeed has won the Manager's Effort Awards 2 seasons out of three.
Helps again that his coaches/managers are very controlled and calm - they rarely criticise other than constructively and the boys in his group are genuinely developing together as a unit that all enjoy playing with each other. They now tend to win as many as they lose and their manager's view is, that demonstrates they are playing at the right level - which at a developing age is far more important than winning 12-0 every week.
He's about to start 11-a-side this year - I go along to watch him on occasions which he welcomes - although tend to leave a lot of that to the wife as she likes the social natter with the other parents.
As a very proud dad I offer quiet encouragement and advice from the side lines when I think it might help; though of course the league frown on any form of 'parental coaching'. There are those who rant and rave at their offspring - indeed some of the other teams' coaches are just as unbearable and allow their own passions to run away - constantly badgering the lads - can't be very enjoyable for any of them.
Hope your young 'un is as rewarding for you in pursuing his interests as mine have been. (so far!
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) has me not only very late posting but also almost certainly 'trapped' at home with the Bellringers BBQ 
