About The Program

1. What is the format of a typical Sportball class?
2. Does Sportball accommodate children with special needs?
3. Why is Sportball a drop-off program?
4. Can I bring my child for a trial class?
5. What safety measures/precautions are implemented into the Sportball program?
6. How do coaches assess children?
7. If I re-register, will the next program have different skills/activities?
8. What do children do during the juice break?
9. What are the coach’s Qualifications/Experiences/Training?
10. What is parent participation day?
11. Must I participate in playing with my child on Parent Participation Day?
12. Does my child need to be toilet trained?
13. How does Sportball accommodate children who have allergies?
14. My child forgot his/her juice?
15. Can my child bring sporting equipment to class?

Policies

1. Are parents allowed to use video cameras during parent viewing?
2. Can I book a make up class for my child if they have missed a class?
3. If Sportball cancels a class is a make up offered?
4. What is your refund policy?

Helping your Child

1. What happens if my child is crying?
2. How is my child doing?
3. I see my child is sitting and waiting some of the time, why is this?
4. What do you do if my child cannot perform a specific activity/skill?
5. What can we do at home to improve our child’s physical activity

About The Program 

1. What is the format of a typical Sportball class?

• Classes follow the same structure each week; activities and games vary to best suit the needs of the children in the program.
• A typical class consists of: attendance, warm ups, skill development, juice break and a game and/or cooperative games.
• Older children participate in a non-competitive game in order to implement the skills learned in class.

2. Does Sportball accommodate children with special needs?

• Sportball encourages the participation of children with special needs. The Sportball program is built on skill progressions. Coaches are trained to assess and challenge children at their individual skill levels.
• A preliminary discussion with the parents is required to assess the needs of the child. This is combined with a trial class.
• We encourage shadow workers to accompany children with special needs in the program. It is preferred that the same shadow worker remains with the child through the season.
• Coaches will guide support workers on how to assist children.
• Therapists are encouraged to visit classes and consult with Sportball coaches to provide suggestions and modifications for individual children.

3. Why is Sportball a drop-off program?

• Sportball classes are structured. It is important that children become used to the structure and learn to follow the instructions as soon as possible to fully benefit from the program.
• Children are easily distracted by parents in the gym and This hinders participation and learning.

4. Can I bring my child for a trial class?

• Children can attend a trial class if they have never been in the program before. This is an excellent way for parent and child to see the program and learn about games and activities taught in the class.
• Parents should keep in mind that it is often difficult to base a child’s response and participation based on one trial class. Children often need time to familiarize themselves with the structure and activities of the program.
• Parents should use the trial class to determine that Sportball provides a safe and fun filled environment for their child to learn valuable life skills.

5. What safety measures/precautions are implemented into the Sportball program?

• Sportball coaches are required to participate in workshops that address safety procedures.
• Safety is a key consideration in selecting Sportball facilities.
• Children are always supervised.
• Sportball has strict arrival and dismissal policies to ensure the safety of children in our programs.
• Coaches are certified in CPR and First Aid
• All coaches have undergone police clearances for working with children (vulnerable sector screens, OESC cards are issued to all coaches)

6. How do coaches assess children?

• Coaches assess children based on what they see during the 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 children’s progress, but coaches are more than happy to discuss the strengths and preferences of children with their parents.
• Parents can also request coaches to call at an agreed time to discuss the progress of their child.

7. If I re-register, will the next program have different skills/activities?

• Programs are age appropriate. As children get older the instructions and activities become more skill based and complex.
• Each sport requires an increased level of control and expertise for advancement.
• Sportball’s methodology is based on challenging the individual skills levels of children. Skills are only advanced once the child has had success at fundamental movements.
• Most importantly, children require repetition in movement skills in order to master techniques. Professional athletes follow a similar training pattern, they refine, rehearse, and repeat skills continuously

8. What do children do during the juice break?

• The juice break is a time when children can use the washroom and have something to drink. Children have a chance to rest and prepare for the next set of activities.
• It is also an opportunity for the coaches to get to know the children in the program and for the children to talk to friends they have made.
• Coaches also may tell a short story, or talk about what children liked and what they have learned so far.

9. What are the coach’s Qualifications/Experiences/Training?

• Coaches are generally young adults (between 18-35 years old).
• Most coaches are studying or have related degrees in fields such as Kinesiology, Early Childhood Education, Recreational Management, Physical Education and /or related experience working with children.
• All coaches undergo ongoing training in Sportball methodology and protocols.
• Management communicates and works closely with all coaches to ensure that parents and children are receiving high quality programming.

10. What is parent participation day?

• Once a season parents are invited into the gym to see their children participating in the program.
• Parents are able to see the activities and skills that their children have learned and how far they have progressed.
• It is an opportunity for parents to grasp a clearer understanding of our methodology, interact with their children and have fun!

11. Must I participate in playing with my child on Parent Participation Day?

• Parents are encouraged to participate if they are physically capable.
• Children look forward to and are excited to have their parents in the gym playing sports with them.
• Coaches are understanding and will do their best not to make parents work up too much of a sweat!

12. Does my child need to be toilet trained?

• All children in the drop off programs (as opposed to Parent Participation programs) should be toilet trained before entering the program. If parents prefer, children are permitted to wear pull-ups.
• Coaches are extremely sensitive towards children who have accidents. Parents who anticipate their child having an accident are encouraged to leave an extra set of clothes with the coach.
• Parents who are concerned about their child coping on their own in the washroom should remain at the program venue to assist their child.
• Junior camp programs require parents to provide their children with a change of clothes and any toiletries that may be needed.

13. How does Sportball accommodate children who have allergies?

• Our administrators and coaches promote a food free atmosphere. Parents are asked not to bring food products into any Sportball facility. Our policies require parents not to allow food with nuts to be taken to a Sportball venue.
• Registration forms require allergy information. Coaches and administrators work collaboratively to ensure that children with allergies are protected.
• Coaches are trained to use the Epi-pen in case of an emergency where a child may be anaphylactic (a severe life threatening reaction to an allergen)
• Children are not permitted to share drinks at water break.
• Coaches are CPR and First Aid Certified.
• Allergy Alerts will be handed out to participate in a class at the request of parents.

14. My child forgot his/her juice?

• Sportball does not supply or sell juices for children.
• Coaches can take children to a public water fountain if available.

15. Can my child bring sporting equipment to class?

• Sportball does not permit children to bring sporting equipment to multi-sport classes. Sportball provides all necessary equipment.
• Sportball equipment is designed to best suit the needs of children in the program.
• Rollerblading and roller hockey programs require children to bring their own equipment (see equipment requirements in the Roller Blading/Hockey program).
• Basketball programs for children in grades 4-6 also require children to bring their own basketballs to class

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Policies

1. Are parents allowed to use video cameras during parent viewing?

• The use of video cameras is not permitted in parent viewing due to privacy issues.
• Parents are however permitted to use still cameras. We request that parents photograph their own children.

2. Can I book a make up class for my child if they have missed a class?

• We do not offer any make ups at any locations for missed classes.

3. If Sportball cancels a class is a make up offered?

• If a Sportball class is cancelled as a result of RAIN, SNOW or EXTREME HEAT, a make up class will not be offered

4. What is your refund policy?

• PRIVATE BIKE RIDING & ROLLERBLADING:  Refunds will not be issued for a non-attendance at a scheduled class.  We require  48 hours notice for any cancellation or re-scheduling.
• Refunds apply when the withdrawal of a student is received in writing 2 weeks prior to the start of any season.
• Should Sportball find it necessary to de-register a child, a refund will be issued after deduction for classes already attended.
• A $25.00 administration fee will be applied to any refund issued.

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Helping Your Child:

1. What happens if my child is crying?

• Coaches will work with a crying child to make them feel comfortable.
• Coaches allow a parent into the gym if a child is anxious and does not settle. This is a temporary solution. Coaches will work with the parent and child in order to encourage participation and a level of comfort.
• Parents are encouraged to talk to their child about the program before the class.
• Arriving at class early helps children ease into the start of the class and become comfortable.

2. How is my child doing?

• Parents are encouraged to talk to the coaches about the progress of their child.
• Coaches can advise parents about their child’s participation and enjoyment of the program.
• Coaches can also provide information about the gross motor skills of children and if there are particular areas when the child is excelling or having difficulty.

3. I see my child is sitting and waiting some of the time, why is this?

• Some sports and skills require more instruction than others in order for the coaches to teach the children correct techniques.
• Young children find it difficult to participate in 60minutes of activity. In order to maintain children’s interest, activities are changed often. Children are required to sit during some changeovers, however instructions are fast and coaches strive to minimize waiting times for children.

4. What do you do if my child cannot perform a specific activity/skill?

• If a child is having difficulty performing a skill or activity the coaches will assist them.
• Sportball methodology teaches all skills in sequence, starting with a physical demonstration, hand over hand assistance (if required), and then an opportunity for children to practice and explore.
• Children are given the opportunity to practice and refine the skills in each class.
• It is expected that children will not master all skills after a single demonstration. Children are given the opportunity to practice and refine the skills in each class. Practice Makes Perfect!

5. What can we do at home to improve our child’s physical activity?

• Parents can ask coaches what skills were practiced during class. Practice makes perfect and children will benefit from the opportunity to practice skills at home.
• The key to improving your child’s physical activity is to encourage healthy active living and when possible to engage in activities with your child.