Start to Play
Start to Play introduces children to the fundamentals of sports. It offers introductions to hockey, skating, basketball, and soccer to kids aged 5 to 9.
Once per week, children take part in a 60-minute session in their chosen sport. Kids are grouped by age either Under 5, Under 7, or Under 9. These sessions are led by our highly trained and passionate coaches. Coaches teach sports skills and social, emotional skills through play to provide the young leaders with tools to contribute positively back to their community!
Seasons last 2 to 4 months, you can sign on for one or as many seasons! One of the goals of this program is to help your child feel comfortable and confident to leave this space and join a community or club team. Here at Free Play, kids can progress from this program to join our competitive Wolves teams if they so choose.
Understanding The Wolves and Free Play Connection to Start to Play
Free Play for Kids’ mission is to offer safe, accessible, and inclusive programs that empower communities through play, guided by values of ambition, dependability, intentionality, fun, and leadership.
Today, Free Play offers accessible afterschool childcare through the Free to Play program and an athlete-for-life pathway through the Wolves Athletic Club - a Free Play owned initiative.
Start to Play is recognized as part of the athlete-for-life pathway as it introduces sport skills to youth. The intention is to have youth begin their athletic journey in Start to Play/Wolves Athletic Club and continue through the pathway up to U18.
Who’s ready to join the pack?
registration is open! Check out the programs below.
If you don’t see a program near you, keep checking back as we will continue to add new locations and sports.
Sherbrooke Under-7 Basketball
SPORT: Basketball
AGE: Girls and Boys born 2017-2018
WHEN: Tuesdays from Sept to Oct
TIME: 6:30 - 7:20 PM
WHERE: Sherbrooke Community League
COST: $90
Sherbrooke Under-9 Basketball
SPORT: Basketball
AGE: Girls and Boys born 2015-2016
WHEN: Tuesdays from Sept to Oct
TIME: 7:30 - 8:20 PM
WHERE: Sherbrooke Community League
COST: $90
Willowby Under-7 Soccer
SPORT: Soccer
AGE: Girls and Boys born 2017-2018
WHEN: Thursdays from Sept to Nov
TIME: 6:30 - 7:20 PM
WHERE: Duggan Community League
COST: $170
Willowby Under-9 Soccer
SPORT: Soccer
AGE: Girls and Boys born 2015-2016
WHEN: Thursdays from Sept to Nov
TIME: 7:30 - 8:20 PM
WHERE: Duggan Community League
COST: $170
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I bring to the session? Participants are encouraged to wear clothing they are comfortable moving around in. We also ask everyone to bring a pair of indoor and outdoor athletic shoes and a water bottle. We provide all the sports equipment for the session except for skates and helmets that will be needed for the skating session. For our colder seasons, please bring weather-appropriate clothing for outdoor play.
Where do we meet? At the community league where you registered. We will keep you updated on whether we will be indoors or outdoors for each session.
Do parents need to stay? For U5, Parents must stay for all programming. For U7, U9, and U12, Parents must stay for programming if there is not an indoor shelter on site. Find this information on the program you are signing up for as it changes from location to location.
When are the Start to Play seasons? Season length can change depending on location. See the whole year mapped out below:
Fall Season: September, October, November
Winter Season: December, January, February, March
Spring Season: April, May, and June
What makes our programs unique? In addition to covering the fundamental, introductory, and semi-advanced skills of various sports, we also apply (Sport to) Life Lessons. For example, we cover themes such as FRIENDSHIP; including topics like Anti-Bullying, Problem Solving, Finding Common Interests, Building Trust, and Forgiveness.
Who do I contact for more information? Our Program Manager, Parker Cammidge at community@freeplayforkids.com