Sportball FAQs

Only one way to find out! Just head over to our registration page, turn your location services to “on,” and browse through nearby locations.   Not finding anything? Reach out and let us know that you’d love to have a Sportball in your region. We’re growing quickly and would appreciate your input on the future of Sportball.   If you’d like to be a part of that future, learn more about what it takes to become a Sportball franchisee.

The answer is yes! Kids who are new to Sportball can try a class and discover all the different sports and activities we offer.   

You can register for a trial class here. If you are registering through a community centre that takes their own registrations, you will need to contact them directly.

It’s vital that your contact information is kept up to date in case of an emergency. Also, it’s mandatory that you review and sign-off on our policies and procedures at the start of every season.

Depending on your region, you may be able to register for a program midway through a season. All fees are prorated. Contact us to see if registration is still open and if there’s any availability.   

If you are registering through a community centre that takes their own registrations, you will need to contact them directly.

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

If the program you’re interested in is full, you can register for the waitlist on our website. We’ll notify you via email should a space become available.   

Registration is based 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, please refer to their policies.

Each Sportball location is owned and operated by local & passionate entrepreneurs. So, each location has its own refund policy, which is usually outlined in the registration details associated with a specific program.

But in general, we strive to provide full refunds 2 weeks before the start of a program. If you request a refund within 2 weeks of the start date of a program, or once it has started, we can usually offer a transfer to a different program that is currently offered or another that will be offered in the future.

Once again, each location has its own refund policy, so please check the registration details or email the specific location with any questions that you may have.

One final note – some of our locations run programs through a community partner (like a municipality). In this case, it’s the municipality’s refund policy that prevails.

The Sportball experience is best shared with a certain number of participants. And from time to time, certain programs don’t get enough participants for us to run the program. When this happens, we will let you know that your program has been cancelled due to low enrollment, and we will give you the option to transfer to another option, or we will give you a 100% refund.

We’re always looking for new opportunities to help more kids fall in love with sports. If you’d like to see a Sportball in your neighbourhood, reach out and let us know.

We’re glad you asked! Just contact us, and we’ll provide you with everything you need to know about booking a Sportball program at your school.

A typical Sportball class is full of activities that focus on skill development, physical literacy, and fun!   

It always starts with a warm-up, then moves onto teaching sport-specific skills. Whether it’s dribbling in soccer, throwing and catching in baseball, or shooting in basketball, activities are designed to be age-appropriate and progressively challenging.  

Sportballers will then be able to apply what they’ve learned in a game or a series of games. These games can be traditional or modified for young kids. Whatever the game may be, it’s always about developing social skills and promoting teamwork.

Drop-Off Classes let kids participate in activities without help from their parent or caregiver. It’s a great opportunity to practice independence and make new friends in a fun and safe environment!

Activities will change every season based on how your little one progresses. It’s all rooted in the three key areas of Sportball Methodology: sports skills, social skills, and motor skills.   

As they evolve in these areas, so too will the activities. Classes will become more skill-based and complex to help them advance. We focus on our mantra to help them grow – refine, rehearse, and repeat – which encourages your child to repeat certain activities in order to master a sport-specific skill. 

A water break is your kid’s chance to grab a drink, use the restroom, and rest in preparation for the next activity. It’s a great opportunity for kids to talk and get to know one another.   

During this time, our coaches may also engage with the kids by telling stories, asking about their interests, and discussing what they’ve learned in the program so far.

It all depends on the program. If your child is registered for a baseball or T-Ball program, then they’ll need to bring their own baseball glove. Depending on location, they may receive a jersey and bat that they will also be required to bring to each class.   

Similarly, if your child is registered for a soccer program, they may be given a ball and jersey that they’re required to bring with them. Please check your confirmation letter to see if this applies to you.   

If your child is registered for Multi-Sport, you may need to purchase equipment. This kit will be mailed to your house or brought to the field by your coach. Please refer to your confirmation letter or call your local office to see if this applies to you.

Our coaches assess children based on what they see during class. Lesson plans are modified according to the needs of the class as well as the needs of individual children.   

Sportball does not provide written evaluations, but if you’d like an update on your child’s performance, our coaches are more than happy to discuss their strengths and weaknesses. Request a one-on-one call with your coach if you’d like a more detailed breakdown of your little one’s progress.

It depends on the program. During a Parent & Child program, one parent is expected to participate with their child throughout the class.   

During an indoor Drop-Off program, parents are asked to remain outside of the play space to minimize distractions and separation anxiety. The idea is to develop kids’ independence and confidence by offering up the feeling that they’re attending “all by themselves.”   

The same is true for our outdoor Drop-Off programs. We ask that all parents remain field-side in an area designated by the coach for the duration of the class.   

Click here for more info on our Drop-Off classes.

Once every season, we invite Sportballers to bring a parent, grandparent, or caregiver to join in on the fun. It’s a great opportunity for you to see how our methodology helps kids progress in their physical literacy journey. 

It’s not mandatory, but it does bring kids a ton of joy having their favourite grownups play with them!

Kids in Parent & Child programs are not expected to be potty trained. However, kids in Drop-Off programs should be able to manage on their own in the washroom. We simply ask that parents are available to be contacted in the event of an accident.

Parent & Child classes are designed around a parent to child ratio of 1:1. This allows your child to receive the one-on-one attention they need to get the most out of the program.   

Newborns or children in baby carriers and strollers are not permitted due to safety considerations.

Ratios vary and are dependent on age group, program type, location, and day of the week. At full capacity, you can expect a ratio of 14:1.

Yes we do! We’ll just need some information from you that will help our coaches create a fun and supportive environment for your little one. Also, parents may be asked to remain on site for the duration of the class.   

If caregiver support is needed during the program, our coaches will provide them with guidance on how to best assist your child. Select community centres might even offer the assistance of support workers. Contact your community centre to see if this is an option for you.

Sorry! We do not offer make-up classes. However, classes operated by community centres may have different policies. Please refer to their policies for further guidance.

If a Sportball class is cancelled due to rain, snow, extreme heat or poor air quality, a make-up class will not be offered. If a class in a community centre is cancelled, please refer to their policies.

You’ll want to pack your child a yummy, nut-free snack or a full lunch depending on if they’re in half-day or full-day camp. Consider sending them with a drink in a labelled bottle to make sure they drink from their own bottle.   

If your child is in an outdoor camp, please ensure they arrive with sunscreen already applied, along with a labelled bottle of sunscreen and a labelled hat. If there is a water play component to your child’s camp, please send them with a towel and bathing suit as well.

Outdoor camps run rain or shine. In the event of severe weather conditions (i.e. lightning, high winds, air quality etc.), coaches will decide if it is safe to run the program.

You are more than welcome to take photos of your own child, however, you are not permitted to take photos of other children. The use of video in our programs is 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.

Coaches 
Sportball coaches have undergone Vulnerable Sector (VS) screening through police organizations to ensure your kids are in good hands. Coaches are also up to date on CPR and first aid certifications, and regularly participate in safety workshops.   

Location
Safety is a key consideration in selecting our facilities. Your child is always supervised during the program, and classes are capped for safety. Strict arrival and dismissal policies are also enforced to ensure the safety of your children.   

Parental Supervision
 For all outdoor programs, one parent per child is required to remain field side. This prevents children from being left unsupervised if a participant from the same household needs to leave midway through a class.

We take allergies very seriously at Sportball. Our registration form will ask for your child’s allergy information, and that information will be shared with their coach. Allergy alerts can also be sent out to other families in the program upon request. In case of emergency, we ask that you please provide written permission for our certified coaches to administer an Epi-Pen.   

Please note that food is not permitted during Sportball programs. Camps and birthday parties are 100% nut-free. We also ensure that children do not share drinks during our scheduled water breaks.

Food is not permitted at Sportball programs to create a safe space for children with allergies. Nut-free snacks are permitted at camps and birthday parties.