FAQ

IS SPORTBALL NEAR ME?

We hope so! Click “Register” and type in your postal code to find the closest program in your neighborhood. Not finding something? Contact our office and we will see what we can do about opening a Sportball program in your area!

CAN YOU PLEASE OPEN A SPORTBALL LOCATION IN MY AREA?

We are always interested in bringing Sportball to new locations! If you are interested in having Sportball in your neighbourhood then please contact our office with the location you have in mind and the number of children who would potentially like to sign-up. You can also ask about our Backyard & Basement Camps!

HOW CAN I INTRODUCE SPORTBALL PROGRAMS TO MY SCHOOL OR COMMUNITY?

We are so glad you asked! Please contact us at the office and we will provide you with the necessary information to proceed with booking a Sportball program at your School.

WHAT IS A TYPICAL SPORTBALL CLASS?

We love structure! A typical class consists of attendance, warm-ups, skill development that relates to one sport, a juice break and a sport specific game and/or cooperative games.

WHAT IS SPORTBALL’S DROP-OFF CLASS?

A Drop off class is when your child participates independently of their parent or caregiver.

This is a chance for your child to play and learn on their own in a safe environment while making new friends!

WILL THERE BE DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES NEXT SEASON?

Of course! Sportball’s methodology is broken down into three key areas: Sport skills, Pro-social skills and Motor skills. Each season your child will progress in all three areas depending on their skill level. One of our mantras is – refine, rehearse, and repeat – and your child will repeat certain activities in order to master that sport-specific skill. As your child gets older, the instructions and activities will become more skill-based and complex. Each sport requires an increased level of control and expertise for advancement.

WHAT DO CHILDREN DO DURING THE JUICE BREAK?

The juice break is a time when your child may use the washroom and have something to drink. Your child’s group will have a chance to rest and prepare for the next set of activities. It’s also an opportunity for the coaches to get to know the children in the program and for them to talk to friends. Coaches also may tell a short story, ask them about their interests and talk about what they have learned in the program so far.

CAN MY CHILD BRING SPORTS EQUIPMENT TO CLASS?

If your child is registered into a baseball or T-ball program, then they will need to bring a baseball glove.

If your child is registered into an outdoor Soccer program, then depending on your location, you may receive a Soccer ball and jersey (*please check your confirmation letter to see if this applies to you). Please make sure your child wears the jersey and bring their soccer ball to each class.

We provide all the custom-equipment needed for our Multi-Sport classes.

DO COACHES EVALUATE CHILDREN?

Our coaches assess the children in their programs based on what they see during class. Lesson plans are modified according to the needs of the class and then more specifically to the needs of individual children. Sportball does not provide written evaluations on your child’s progress, but your coach will be more than happy to discuss the strengths and preferences of your child with you. You may also request your coach to call you at an agreed-upon time to discuss the progress of your child.

CAN PARENTS SIT AND WATCH THE PROGRAM?

Good question! This really depends on the location. If you are in a Parent & Child program then you will sit with your child on the “Sportball Line”. If you are attending your child’s outdoor program we ask for safety reasons, that all parents sit a few feet behind the “Sportball Line”.  If you want to know about a Drop Off indoor program, these are parent-free classes (please read: WHAT IS SPORTBALL’s DROP-OFF PROGRAM?)

WHAT IS PARENT PARTICIPATION DAY?

Once every season we open our class to either a parent, a grandparent or a caregiver to join in the Sportball fun! It’s an opportunity for you to see how our methodology is helping your child on their journey of physical literacy, see their progression and just encourage them!

IS PARENT PARTICIPATION DAY MANDATORY?

It’s not mandatory. But it’s a total thrill for your child to have you in class with them!

ARE PARENTS ALLOWED TO TAKE PICTURES OR VIDEOS DURING SPORTBALL PROGRAMS?

You are allowed to take pictures of your own child (still photographs). However, photos of other children, and the use of video in our programs are not permitted at all. Please note that these privacy rules also apply for our Outdoor programs and Parent Participation days. Also, keep in mind that Community Centres, Schools and Day Care Centres will have their own policies.

DOES MY CHILD NEED TO BE TOILET TRAINED?

If your child is with you in a parent-participation program, then they are not expected to be toilet-trained.

If your child is in a drop-off program, then they should be toilet-trained. If you are concerned about whether your child will cope on their own in the washroom, then you should remain at the program venue to assist them. If your child is wearing pull-ups please remain onsite in case your child needs changing.

CAN I BRING MY CHILD TO TRY A CLASS?

The answer is Yes! If you have never been in a Sportball program, then this is an excellent opportunity for both you and your child to experience Sportball and learn about the sports and types of activities we teach in class. You can register into a trial class by clicking the “Try a Class ” tab. If you are registering through a community centre that takes their own registrations, you will need to contact them directly to check their policy.

CAN I BRING MORE THAN ONE CHILD TO MY PARENT & CHILD CLASS?

Our ratio in a Parent & Child class is 1 Parent to 1 Child. From our experience your child will benefit more from the program with the one-on-one attention from yourself or the child’s caregiver. Newborns or children in baby carriers and strollers are not permitted due to safety considerations.

WHAT ARE THE RATIOS & CLASS SIZES OF SPORTBALL PROGRAMS?

Ratios vary and are dependent on the age of the children, the program type, the location and day of the week. Program ratios may be up to 14:1; weekend programs tend to reach capacity.

DOES SPORTBALL ACCOMMODATE CHILDREN WITH ADDITIONAL NEEDS?

Yes, we do! We welcome discussing your child’s needs so we can empower our coaches to best support your child. If Caregiver support is needed during the program, our coaches will provide guidance to the caregiver on how to best assist your child. We ask that parents remain on site while the class is underway.

WHY DO I NEED TO COMPLETE A NEW REGISTRATION FORM FOR EACH SEASON?

Two reasons! It’s vital that your contact information is confirmed/updated in case our Sportball Staff need to reach you due to an emergency. Also, each season you need to review and sign-off on our policies and procedures.

CAN I REGISTER PART WAY THROUGH A SEASON?

Yes, of course! You can prorate into our programs provided there is availability. Please contact us at the office. If you are registering through a community centre that takes their own registrations, you will need to contact them directly to check their policy.

CAN I MAKE UP A CLASS IF I MISS ONE?

Sorry! We don’t offer any make-up classes.

*If you are in a Community Centre please refer to their policies.

IF SPORTBALL CANCELS A CLASS IS A MAKE-UP OFFERED?

If a class where Sportball does the registration is cancelled as a result of rain, snow or extreme heat, a make-up class will not be offered.

*If a class in a Community Centre is cancelled, please refer to their policies.

WHAT IS YOUR REFUND POLICY?

If you have registered through a Community Centre their refund policy applies.

If you wish to withdraw your child from a program where Sportball did the registration, our office needs to be informed in writing 2 weeks prior to the programs start date. You will receive a refund, minus a $25 administration fee.

If you wish to withdraw your child from a program where Sportball did the registration and the start date of the program is less than 2 weeks away – there will be no refund. However, you can choose to a) transfer your child into another class / location provided there is availability or b) transfer the program to another child in your family (*please note transfers apply to the season you originally registered into and within the same type of class i.e. an indoor program).

If Sportball finds it necessary to de-register a child, a refund will be issued after deduction for the classes that have already been attended and a $25.00 administration fee applied.

In the event that Sportball needs to cancel a program due to insufficient enrollment, the parent will receive a full refund.

WHAT IS YOUR TRANSFER POLICY?

Transfers may be accommodated within the same season, subject to approval, unless your child is registered at a community centre or school. Transfers cannot be made between Indoor programs and Outdoor Soccer programs or Camps.

WHAT IS THE WAITLIST POLICY?

If the program that you are interested in is full, you can register into the waitlist on the website. Should a space become available, an email will be sent to notify you. Registration is on a first-come-first-serve basis. This may occur anytime throughout the season and fees will be prorated accordingly. For programs registered through a community centre, the centre’s policies and procedures will apply.

WHAT MEASURES AND PRECAUTIONS HAVE YOU TAKEN TO ENSURE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT?

Your child’s safety is our priority.

COACHES: Sportball coaches have undergone police clearances for working with children (vulnerable sector screens). They all have updated certifications in CPR and first aid and are required to participate in workshops that cover our safety procedures.

LOCATION: Safety is always a key consideration when selecting Sportball facilities and our classes are capped to ensure the ratio of children in the space is safe. Your child is always supervised while at the program, and we have a strict arrival and dismissal policies to ensure the safety of each child.

PARENTAL SUPERVISION: For all outdoor programs, parents are required to remain field side in a ratio of one parent to one child so that if a child needs to leave the program for any reason the second child is supervised.

WHAT ARE THE COACHES QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING?

Our Coaches are a professional group, they bring a variety of unique skills & life experiences to their leadership roles at Sportball.  Above all else, it’s their passion to make a difference in the life of a child that defines them. Our thorough certification process places coaches on a continuous learning track. After completing our mentorship program, coaches continue to participate in workshops, skill updates and evaluations throughout the year.

DOES SPORTBALL ACCOMMODATE CHILDREN WITH ALLERGIES?

Yes, we do! Firstly, our registration form will ask for your child’s allergy information. This information is then passed on to the Coach who will be instructing your child. If your child’s allergy is severe we can notify all class participants with an Allergy Alert upon your request, and we ask that you give written permission that will allow our certified Coach to administer an EpiPen (if this is necessary).

Reminder that food is not permitted during Sportball programs. In the event of a camp or a birthday party we require all food be nut-free. We also ensure that children do not share drinks at our scheduled water breaks.

CAN I BRING FOOD INTO A SPORTBALL PROGRAM/FACILITY FOR MY CHILD?

We have children with various allergies and so in order that our space is safe for all, food is not permitted during Sportball programs. If  you are hosting a Birthday party or your child is in a half or full-day camp, then you can bring nut-free snacks.

WHAT SHOULD MY CHILD BRING TO CAMP?

You will want to pack your child a yummy, nut-free snack or full lunch depending on if your child is in half or full-day camp! A drink in a labelled bottle helps us ensure your child drinks from their own bottle.

If your child is in an outdoor camp please make sure they have sunscreen applied before they start their day, and send them with a labeled hat and labeled sunscreen.

If there is a water play component to your child’s camp, please send them with a swim towel and bathing suit.