You’ve done the research. You know that kids sports programs are good for your child. Now comes the harder question: how do you pick the right one? Not all kids sports programs are built the same.
The difference between a great fit and the wrong one can shape how your child feels about sport, movement, and their own abilities for years to come. Whether you’re looking for sports classes for toddlers or multi-sport programs for older kids, the program you choose matters more than parents often realize.
At Sportball, we’ve been running developmentally appropriate, play-based kids sports programs since 1995, for children ages 16 months to 12 years, across North America and beyond. Here’s exactly what makes us different, and why parents keep coming back.
What Sets Sportball Apart?
Multi-Sport Focus
Multi-Sport is the perfect way for little movers to explore the world of sports. Sportball’s signature multi-sport program lets kids try just about everything from field sports to court sports, including soccer, baseball, basketball, football, hockey, volleyball, golf, and tennis, all in one fun and engaging program. Kids discover what they like (and what they don’t) while building overall athleticism, not repetitive movements that can lead to injury and burnout. Variety first, specialization later. That’s the Sportball way.
Age-Appropriate Curriculum
From 16 months to 12 years, every Sportball program is designed to meet your child where they’re at developmentally. Sportball’s Developmental Milestone Framework tracks child development across all program levels including: gross motor, sport skills, coordination, social, cognitive, and behavioural skills.2 Every game, drill, and coaching cue is mapped to what children at that specific age and stage are developmentally ready to learn and practice, from a 16-month-old just beginning to kick a ball ,2 to a 9-year-old developing sports leadership. 2
Certified, Purposeful Coaches
Our coaches are Sportball certified: trained in early childhood development, physical literacy, and purposeful sport skills. You won’t find volunteer coaches at Sportball, only professionals! Every coach completes a structured, multi-level certification program built around our “Coaching with Purpose” methodology.
The Aspen Institute’s Project Play identifies coaching quality as the single most important factor in maximizing the positive developmental effects of sport on youth.4 At Sportball, great coaching isn’t a nice-to-have, it’s the standard we’re known for. Read more about how we develop our coaches.
Skill + Confidence Building
At Sportball, children develop a whole host of sporty skills. And the results are documented. A study by Masters of Science Occupational Therapy researchers at the University of Toronto, conducted in partnership with Sportball, evaluated children ages 3 to 6 before and after an 8-week Sportball program. Children in the Sportball group showed significant improvements in balance, coordination, hopping, jumping, and ball skills compared to a control group that received no program, despite both groups starting at comparable skill levels.5
But that’s not all. Our programs also help kids build key social skills, confidence, teamwork, and social-emotional resilience through sport – skills that serve them well beyond the field!
Every one of our skills, games and activities we play in class is thoughtfully designed with an intended outcome – we call this “coaching with purpose”. This approach ensures that every child is developing at their own pace throughout our programs. This includes improving overall ‘physical literacy,’ which incorporates the development of gross motor, sport and social skills.
Fun Comes First
Kids learn best when they’re having fun. Our purposeful, play-based approach goes well beyond “non-competitive” and puts the emphasis on learning through play. Our Sportball Methodology is built around five teaching pillars, including fun, creativity, and early childhood education, with each skill broken into small, manageable steps matched to the developmental stage of each age group.6
The Aspen Institute’s Project Play research confirms this: fun is the number one reason kids play sports, cited by 81% of youth athletes, ranking above winning, fitness, and everything else.4 When kids are genuinely enjoying themselves, the skill development follows.
We Provide the Equipment
All necessary equipment for Sportball classes is provided, which means there’s no hidden fees for additional equipment your child will grow out of by next season. We cover all major ball sports and provide everything your child will need to succeed.
Not only do we provide all the equipment, but we even design our own when a developmentally appropriate option isn’t available. From our signature multi-sport ball to our rugby ball turned football and our double-sided golf clubs – there’s a method to the madness to ensure that each child has the best possible start in sports without the added cost to parents.
Lifestyle Fit
Sportball programs are designed to fit your family calendar. Choose from a variety of weekday or weekend programs, available year-round, or bring Sportball to your child’s school. Whatever your schedule looks like, there’s a Sportball option that fits. And with our signature multi-sport classes, kids get to play different sports (up to 8 in a season!) while parents maintain their sanity – no advanced degree in scheduling or carpool logistics required here!
For those who want a custom program that meets their exact needs (i.e. time, day, location, sports), contact our team about private program options in your area.
Parent and Child Connection
Sportball programs build connection through play. For our littlest athletes, our Parent and Child classes are designed to bring families together through sport. These early shared experiences, watching your toddler kick a ball for the first time, cheering from the sideline, participating right alongside them, are some of the most meaningful moments sport can create.
Programs Near You
With classes across North America (and beyond!), it’s easy to find a Sportball program in your community. Visit sportball.com to find your nearest location.
Ready to Try a Sportball Kids Sports Program?
Whether your child is 16 months old and just starting to move, or 12 years old and looking to refine their sporty skills while keeping the fun, there’s a Sportball program built for them. Register for a trial class at sportball.com and see the difference a great kids sports program makes.
References
1 Sugimoto, D., Whitney, K. E., d’Hemecourt, P. A., & Stracciolini, A. (2024). Youth sport specialization: Current concepts and clinical guides. HSS Journal, 20(3), 416-423. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11299332/
2 Sportball. (n.d.). Developmental milestones for all age groups [Internal document]. Sportball.
3 Sportball. (2017). Coach mentorship program [Internal document]. Sportball.
4 Aspen Institute Project Play. (n.d.). Youth sports facts: Benefits. https://projectplay.org/youth-sports/facts/benefits
5 Sportball & University of Toronto. (n.d.). Latest study finds relationship between sports skills instruction and children’s early physical development [Research brief]. Sportball.
6 Sportball. (n.d.). The Sportball methodology. https://sportball.com/our-methodology/
