It can be hard to know what actually matters. Not all programs are built the same and the right fit has less to do with the logo on the jersey and more to do with what’s happening behind the scenes.

Whether you’re a parent exploring entry-level sports programs for the first time or a seasoned pro trying to determine the next step on your child’s sports journey, start here:

1. Who is actually coaching my child?

Not all coaches are created equal, and for young kids, this matters more than most parents realize.

Research shows that coach quality is one of the strongest predictors of a child’s long-term enjoyment and retention in sport. 

Ask:

• What certifications do coaches hold?
• Are they trained in child development, or just the sport itself?
• Do they receive ongoing education?
• Are they coaching with purpose? 

A purposeful coach positively shapes a child’s relationship with physical activity for years to come.

2. Is this program developmentally appropriate?

It’s easy to focus on what kids are learning instead of how they’re learning it.

Children develop physically, cognitively, and emotionally at different rates. A 4-year old and a 10-year old differ in attention span, coordination, how they process feedback, and more.

High-quality programs are designed to meet children where they are at developmentally. 

Ask:

• Is the curriculum age-specific?
• Are sessions intentionally structured to develop social, behavioural, gross motor and sport-specific skills? 
• What is the balance between structured learning and free play? 
• Is the time commitment equivalent or less than a child’s age? 

3. What are the goals of the program and where does fun fit in?

Some programs are focused on competition. Others on drills and sport-specific skills. The best programs? They intentionally use the power of fun to instill life lessons and promote physical literacy. Skill building should cater to the developmental stages of young athletes. 

We know:

• Kids who have fun stay in sports longer
• Kids who stay in sports longer develop a lifelong love of movement, are more confident, have better mental and physical health, and are more likely to hold leadership positions

Ask:

• Is fun integral to the program design?
• How is success measured?
• Is the focus on winning, improvement, or experience?

4. Does this actually work for our family?

A great program on paper doesn’t mean much if it doesn’t fit your real life.

Between school, work, and the juggle of life with kids, sustainability matters. Burnout doesn’t just happen to kids—it happens to families too.

Ask:

• Does the schedule align with our weekly routine?
• What are the total costs (not just registration)? Ex. Equipment, uniforms, tournaments, travel, etc.
• Are there travel or time commitments we’re not seeing upfront?
• Is equipment provided or will we need to bring our own? 

Multi-sport programs like Sportball that run once a week and provide all the necessary equipment are a great option for busy families. 

Research on youth sport participation shows that cost and time are among the top reasons families drop out of programs.

5. What does progression actually look like?

Too many programs leave parents guessing about how (or if) their child will improve over time.

The right program has a clear progression pathway from fundamentals to game play. 

Ask:

• Is there a defined development plan?
• How are skills assessed or tracked?
• What happens after this season ends?
• What does specific program progression look like?

6. What does this program do to keep my child safe?

Youth sports injuries are common in programs that emphasize sport specialization, drills, and game play using adult sized equipment and class plans. You’ll want to find a program designed to prevent overuse or sport related injuries. On top of program integrity, you’ll want a coach you can trust is prepared for any scenario.

Ask:

• Are coaches trained in first aid?
• Have coaches been vetted through background checks?
• Is the equipment age-appropriate and well-maintained?
• What do drop-off and pick-up procedures look like? 
• Is there a clear code of conduct?
• What are other parents saying about this program/coach? 

A program that takes safety seriously will be transparent about it. If the answers are vague or buried somewhere, that’s information too.

7. How big are the teams, and what’s the coach-to-child ratio?

Group size shapes how much individual attention, repetition, and feedback your child actually gets in a season.

Ask:

• How many children are typically in a session?
• What is the coach-to-child ratio?
• What is the policy with respect to playing time for each child? 

8. What happens when my child has a tough day?

Every child has off days or needs a little bit of time to warm up to something new. How a coach  handles those moments will be important to your child’s experience with sport.

Ask:

• How do coaches respond when a child is reluctant to participate?
• How are big emotions handled by coaches?
• How do coaches communicate with parents about a child’s behaviour?
• How do coaches approach children with exceptionalities? 

A great sports program will use those moments as an opportunity to build confidence. 

9. Can we try before committing?

Sports programs are an investment. An opportunity to try the program before you commit will let you experience firsthand if it’s a fit. 

Ask:

• Is there a trial or intro class available?
• What’s the refund, transfer, or make-up policy if something doesn’t work out?
• Can we drop in and observe a session before signing up?
• How can I prepare my child for a successful season? 

Sportball offers trial classes so families can see the magic in action before enrolling. Flexibility here is a sign that a program is prioritizing the child’s experience, and wants you to feel like it’s the right choice, too. 

10. What does my child want? 

It’s easy to forget that an important voice in this decision belongs to the kid you’re signing up.

Ask your child:

• What sports or activities are you curious about?
• Do you want to try something new, or stick with what you already know?
• Do you want to play with friends, or meet new ones?
• How do you feel after practices and games?

Their answer doesn’t have to be the deciding factor; you’re still the grown up. But asking sends a powerful message: this is something we’re doing because it’s fun for you.

Choose your sports program with intention

Research is clear: young children shouldn’t play organized, competitive sports. They should be learning through play, exploration, and fundamental movement skills in a fun and supportive environment. Look for programs that put these research-based guidelines for youth sports into practice:

• Designing programs around children’s developmental needs
• Multi-sport exposure 
• Age-appropriate skill progressions
• Purposeful coaches trained in child development
• First-aid certified coaches and additional safety measures in place
• A focus on fun first, skills second, competition much later

When asking yourself the right questions before committing your little athlete to a sports program, you’re setting them up for success both on and off the field. 

Resources

Luo, Y., et al. (2025). The predictive role of coach–athlete relationship quality in training engagement and performance. Frontiers in Psychology. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12426250/

Sportball. (n.d.). When should kids start sports? https://sportball.com/blog/when-should-kids-start-sports/

American Academy of Pediatrics. (2022). Organized sports for children, preadolescents, and adolescents. https://ncys.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Organized-Sports-for-Youth_AAP-Clinical-Report.pdf

Sportball. (n.d.). The importance of childhood free play. https://sportball.com/blog/the-importance-of-childhood-free-play/

Sportball. (n.d.). Multi-sport for kids: A complete guide. https://sportball.com/blog/multi-sport-for-kids-guide/

Sportball. (n.d.). Programs. https://sportball.com/programs/

Eime, R. M., et al. (2019). A systematic review of the psychological and social benefits of participation in sport for children and adolescents. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6805064

The post 10 Questions Every Parent Should Ask Before Signing Their Child Up for Sports appeared first on Sportball.

What if the problem with youth sports isn’t when kids start… but how?

Because if you’ve been paying attention to dropout rates, burnout, rising injuries, and the $30B+ youth sports machine, you already know something is off. According to the stats:

• 70% of kids quit sports by age 13. (AAP)
• Early specialization is linked to burnout, injury, and dropout. (PMC)
• And most programs? Built for adults, scaled down for kids.

So when someone says, “You can start your child in sports at two,” your instinct might be to push back.

But that reaction reveals the real issue: We’re picturing the wrong version of “sports.”

The Lie We’ve Been Sold About “Starting Early”

In today’s American youth sports system, “starting early” usually means more structure, competition, pressure, and earlier specialization. That’s exactly what the research warns against.

The American Academy of Pediatrics is clear: young children shouldn’t be in organized, competitive sports. They should be learning through play, exploration, and fundamental movement skills (Pediatrics Publications). And yet we keep pushing 4-year-olds into leagues and rankings. No wonder kids burn out before high school!

The Twist: Starting Earlier Might Actually Fix This

Not earlier competition. Not earlier pressure. Earlier play.

When done right, early childhood movement:

• Builds physical literacy (running, throwing, balance) that underpins all sports. (PMC)
• Increases the likelihood kids stay active for life by 40%. (Project Play)
• Decreases the risk of diseases, like osteoporosis, by 40%. (PMC)
• Supports confidence, social skills, and emotional regulation. (Dr. Jean Clinton)
• And creates positive associations with movement before comparison and pressure show up.

In fact, kids don’t quit sports because they started too early. They quit because they stopped being fun. (AAP)

What “Sports” Should Actually Look Like for Young Children

We need to take the “traditional” meaning of sports and re-write the cultural narrative. This time, no drills, no teams, and no competition.

For children under six, “sports” should look like:

• Sports instruction through storytelling and non-competitive games
• Rolling, kicking, balancing, chasing
• Exploration without pressure
• Parent-and-child interaction (for children ≤3)

This is brain development in motion.

Early childhood is when neural pathways for movement, confidence, and social behavior are built. As research consistently shows, sport instruction works best when it matches a child’s developmental readiness, not an arbitrary age or competitive structure. (PMC)

The Real Problem: We Skip the Foundation

Here’s what most youth sports systems get backwards:

We skip straight to games…
Before kids know how to move.

We emphasize performance…
Before kids build confidence.

We organize teams…
Before kids learn how to share, take turns, and cooperate.

Then we wonder why kids feel overwhelmed, parents are frustrated, and everyone burns out.

What the Best Programs Do Differently

Programs like Sportball have quietly been doing something radical for 30+ years:

We’ve designed sports around the child, not the sport:

• Multi-sport exposure (not early specialization)
• Age-appropriate skill progressions
• Purposeful coaches trained in child development
• A focus on fun first, skills second, competition much later

This aligns with what both research and common sense tell us. Kids who build a broad base of movement and confidence early on are more likely to stay in sports and succeed later in life (EJ Sport).

A Better Way Forward for Youth Sports

As parents, coaches and youth sports leaders we need to stop asking: “How early is too early?” and start asking: “Is this program developmentally appropriate?” A 2-year-old can absolutely get started in sports, and a 7-year-old can absolutely be pushed too far.

If we want fewer kids quitting, less burnout and injury, and more confident and capable humans, then we need to rebuild the foundation, not with earlier competition, but with better beginnings.

Programs like Sportball are quietly helping reshape youth sports into what it was supposed to be all along: Fun. Inclusive. Development-first!

At the end of the day, the true power of sport isn’t about producing a small number of elite pro athletes we idolize from the sidelines, but about developing a large number of confident and capable pro humans who love to play.

– Jason D’Rocha for Youth Inc.
Link to article: https://www.youth.inc/learn/start-sooner-play-better-rethinking-how-kids-get-their-start-in-sports

The post Start Sooner, Play Better: Rethinking How Kids Get Their Start in Sports appeared first on Sportball.

Here’s the short answer: It’s coaching with purpose.

Everything we do—how classes are structured, how skills are taught, how coaches are trained—flows from a belief we hold deeply: kids don’t just learn skills, they learn how they feel about themselves as they learn.

Here’s why Sportball coaches are a cut above the rest and how you can get in on the best job in the world. 

Purpose Before Performance

Purposeful coaching focuses on how children learn and feel, not just skill performance. At the heart of Sportball is a simple but powerful mission: to help children develop physical literacy and a lifelong love of movement in a positive, supportive environment.

For our coaches, that mission shows up every single class. It’s why our programs focus on how a child learns, not just what they learn.

It’s why coaches are trained to teach in ways that build confidence, curiosity, and connection first. Sportball coaches learn how to:

• Break complex skills into simple, achievable steps
• Adapt instruction for different learning styles and abilities
• Create safe, inclusive environments where every child feels successful
• Lead with encouragement, clarity, and consistency

These aren’t just coaching skills. They’re transferable life skills that stay with coaches long after they put the whistle down.

As we’ve shared in our approach to coaching with purpose, every activity carries intention:

• What is this game teaching beyond the skill?
• How does this story help the child understand the movement?
• How do we ensure each child experiences success?

When coaching is purposeful, confidence follows.

What Makes Sportball Coaching Different?

Sportball coaching stands out by combining structured methodology with a child-first approach.

• Structured, research-based programming: Every class is planned to support skill progression and effective learning.
• Focus on child development, not just sport skills: Coaches prioritize confidence, emotional growth, and enjoyment of movement.
• Ongoing mentorship and training: Coaches receive continuous support to improve and grow in their role.
• Emphasis on inclusion and adaptability: Activities are designed so every child can participate and feel successful.

Training That Translates Everywhere

One of the biggest differences parents and new coaches alike notice is that Sportball classes aren’t improvised. They are planned with care and with structure in mind, because kids learn best when instructions are clear and mastery is in reach.

Great programs need great coaches, and Sportball nurtures them by training coaches to understand:

• How children move at different developmental stages and ages
• How attention, emotions, and behavior show up in group settings
• How to give feedback that encourages rather than discourages
• How to adapt activities so every child feels included

Coaches don’t learn this by being handed a script and told to ‘figure it out’. Instead, they are supported through a mix of hands-on workshops, interactive demonstrations, guided practice, and ongoing feedback.

This structure builds confidence by helping coaches learn why we do things, not just how. It allows them to lead classes with purpose rather than reacting moment by moment, and that confidence transfers far beyond Sportball.

Many coaches take what they’ve learned at Sportball and apply it in classrooms, clinics, community programs, sport settings, and people‑focused leadership roles. Your child gains confidence by learning skills in a supportive, success-focused environment. Most importantly, your child builds a positive relationship with movement that lasts beyond the field.

And for plenty of coaches, the journey stays right here: they grow into seasoned coaching and training roles, as well as leadership positions within Sportball that lead the next wave of coaches along the way. Just look at our Vice President Jason D’Rocha and Growth Coach Paul Lee, who both got their starts on the field!

Many Backgrounds. One Coaching Community.

There is no single “type” of Sportball coach, and that’s by design. Sportball coaches come from all walks of life, and that diversity is one of our greatest strengths.

You’ll find coaches with backgrounds in:

• Education and early childhood studies
• Kinesiology and sports science
• Physiotherapy
• Occupational therapy
• Psychology
• University athletics
• Career transitions and first-time leadership roles

Some coaches arrive with technical sport knowledge. Others come with strong teaching instincts, communication strengths, or simply a love of working with kids.

Sportball brings those strengths together by building a shared coaching language and methodology, so every coach, regardless of background, can grow, contribute, and lead confidently.

Mentorship That Grows With You

What truly sets Sportball apart is what happens after a coach is hired.

Great coaching is not created through one‑time training. It’s fostered through mentorship.

At Sportball, coaching development continues long after hiring. Coaches grow through ongoing support that mirrors how we teach children:

• Observe experienced coaches
• Practice
• Receive feedback
• Reflect on what worked and what can improve
• Lead independently

As coaches gain experience, they move into leadership pathways that allow them to mentor others, support training, and eventually step into Master Coach roles, where they help shape the next generation of Sportball coaches.

This growth‑focused culture is at the heart of our coach training and certification philosophy and it’s one of the reasons parents consistently notice the difference. Sportball’s curated mentorship program builds strong programs and strong people.

Transferable Skills Coaches Take With Them

Here’s what Sportball coaches often tell us they carry forward into life and career:

• Clear, confident communication
• Leadership and presence in group settings
• Adaptability under pressure
• Empathy and emotional intelligence
• Lesson planning and goal progression
• Feedback delivery that motivates, not discourages
• Professional accountability and time management

Whether a coach stays for a season or builds a long‑term career with us, those skills matter because they translate everywhere.

Voices From the Field

The clearest picture of what it’s like to coach with Sportball comes from our coaches directly. Their stories bring our approach to life, showing how support, purpose, and intentional coaching help coaches grow alongside the kids they teach.

Here are testimonials from Sportball coaches at each stage of the coaching journey: a Rookie, a Lead, a Mentor, and a Master coach.

“Ever since I was young, I have always enjoyed and had a passion for sports […] I looked up to all my coaches that helped me develop such a love for sports. What surprised me most about Sportball was the instant feeling of accomplishment […] after every class I think to myself, ‘I just helped that kid have a better day.’ Even early on, I noticed coaching helped me build a better level of patience and strong communication skills. I’m learning so many new things and building strong bonds with my co-workers on a daily basis. Although I’m pretty new myself, I would encourage new coaches to trust all the training […] once I embraced the workshops, I noticed how much it translates to the coaching I do and how much fun the kids have.”

– As a new Rookie Coach this season, Raaya shares what it’s been like stepping into her first coaching role and realizing just how meaningful even the smallest moments can be.

“I’ve developed strong communication, leadership, and patience […] working with kids has strengthened my ability to guide, develop, and manage different personalities. Stepping into a leadership role taught me how important it is to lead by example and support growth in others and helped me become more confident making decisions independently while creating a positive environment. Sportball is a fun, supportive program focused on building confidence and fundamental skills in kids […] while also developing strong future leaders and role models.”

– As a Lead Coach, Alex describes how stepping into a leadership role helped him grow in confidence, communication, and his ability to guide others.

“What keeps me engaged at this level is the continued opportunity to grow and take on new responsibilities […] I’ve been able to get involved in more than just coaching classes. Through workshops, staff meetings, and contributing beyond the field, I can see how my role is expanding and how I can contribute beyond just coaching. [Sportball] is a really supportive and growth‑focused environment where you’re not just coaching; you’re actually making an impact on kids’ development […] with opportunities to grow and take on more responsibility over time.”

– Mentor Coach Dani shares why having chances to grow, try new things, and build real relationships keeps Sportball feeling fresh and rewarding.

“Something I’m proud of is being able to make an impact in children’s and families’ lives […] it’s a very special feeling when parents come up to you years later and tell you their child remembers you and asks about you. Over time, I’ve grown proud of how much my confidence working with kids has grown and how much I’ve learned over the last few years. I see Sportball’s long‑term impact in its focus on supporting child development through play and physical activity, and in how it helps coaches build confidence in themselves […] skills that can be used in all areas of their lives, while offering opportunities to become more independent as a coach and be a mentor to others.”

– Master Coach Evelyn reflects on the lasting impact of coaching at Sportball, for both the children she’s taught and the coaches she now helps mentor.

Why Parents Notice the Difference

Parents often share that Sportball becomes more than a weekly activity.

They notice:

• Greater confidence in their child
• Improved listening and focus
• Willingness to try again after mistakes
• Joy in movement without pressure to perform
• Willingness to stay in sports

That doesn’t happen by accident.

It comes from coaches who are trained to understand how children move, think, and feel and who care deeply about creating positive first experiences with sport.

When children feel successful early, they’re more likely to stay active for life. Is that a mission you can get behind? 

Thinking About Coaching With Us?

Whether you’re a parent curious about what goes on behind the scenes, or someone considering stepping into a coaching role, Sportball is a place that:

• Coaches with purpose, not pressure
• Designs programs for how kids actually learn
• Supports coaches at every stage with intentional training
• Mentors for confidence, leadership, and professionalism
• Builds a community that believes movement is a foundation for life

At Sportball, sports may be the name of our game, but people are the focus. When coaching is intentional, everyone grows.

Apply for a position at Sportball here. 

About the author: Ronda Robinson is the Product Lead and a Mentor Coach at Sportball for the last 4 years. She is a recent graduate with a Master of Arts in Child Study and Education from University of Toronto. Ronda has a passion for designing curriculum and writing on childhood resilience.

The post Purposeful Coaching at Sportball Builds Skills for Life appeared first on Sportball.

I grew up loving sports, playing basketball and looking up to my favorite players. The thought of building a career around playing sports felt like a dream, but after studying psychology and sports methodology, I was able to turn my skill set and expertise into a career that helps build the next generation of kids who love to play. I’ve spent the last 20 years of my life as part of the Sportball family, first as a coach of their youth sports programs and now as Vice President and Growth Coach, and I’ve been able to help shape the curriculum into what it is today.

Can you share a story with us about what brought you to your particular career path?

My career path really came together at the intersection of two lifelong passions: sports and working with kids. Growing up, I always wanted to play sports professionally, but after coaching from a young age and studying to become a child psychologist, I realized what I truly loved was helping children grow. I worked with a family whose child had additional needs, and that experience got me deeply interested in cognitive behavioral therapy and supporting children with exceptionalities. When I discovered Sportball, it felt like the perfect combination of my areas of excellence: sports and child development, with a focus on positivity. I was hired initially as a coach, and knowing my background in psychology, the founders asked me to design a program for children with special needs. My experience quickly evolved into a career where I could shape programs, mentor young coaches and help thousands of children build confidence and resilience through sports.

Can you share with our readers a bit about why you are an authority on raising resilient kids? In your opinion, what is your unique contribution to this field?

My career has been all about helping kids develop a love of physical activity, while developing vital life skills at the same time. I spent four years as a Sportball coach then led our training and adapted programs, where I helped integrate child development theory with sport-specific skill progression. Our focus has never been on training the next generation of pro athletes. It’s about helping kids of all skill levels find the fun in physical activity and play, while building confidence, resilience and social skills that will carry them through adulthood.

Do you have a favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Do you have a story about how that was relevant in your life or your work?

One quote that has always stayed with me is: “Children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see.” When I came across it midway through my career, it reminded me that it doesn’t matter if a kid grows up to be a great athlete, if they’re not a good human being. Every interaction with kids matters, and whether you’re a parent, teacher or coach, you’re constantly a role model. This quote helps me be a better dad, coach and trainer of young professionals. A moment that really brought it to life was a child in an adaptive program who struggled with a skill and wanted to quit. He had oppositional defiant disorder and didn’t connect well with coaches and teachers. Instead of pushing him to perform, I focused on building trust and connection with kindness. It took several weeks, but eventually, he not only wanted to come to Sportball, but he began supporting other kids who were struggling. That moment reminded me that when we invest in a child’s character and confidence, the ripple effects can be far greater than we ever expect.

Ok, thank you for all that. Now let’s move to the main focus of our interview. How can parents handle situations when a child faces failure or disappointment? What strategies can parents use to help a child bounce back?

The first step is normalizing failure as part of learning. Too often we rush to fix the problem or shield them from disappointment, but those moments are actually where growth happens. With my own daughters, I’ve learned to validate their emotions first and make sure they feel heard — not just give solutions. When they come to me with a problem, I’ll even ask if they want me to help fix it or just be there to listen to them. From there, parents can ask simple, reflexive questions, like “What did you learn?” or “What would you try next time?” It’s also important to celebrate the effort vs. the outcome. Focus more on the character development than the trophy. Keep the moment small and make sure your child sees that you’re composed and can be that rock for them to learn from.

What role does parental modeling of resilience play in the development of emotional strength in children? Can you share an example of a resilient parenting moment that you experienced directly or that you have come across in the course of your work?

I often say that kids either borrow your chaos or borrow your calm. It’s hard to talk someone into being resilient, but when parents model it, or kids see their siblings and friends make it through a challenge and find the courage to move forward, then they’ll learn and internalize it more. I see this often in parent-and-child sport classes. When a young child becomes frustrated with a new skill, a calm parent who kneels down to their level, makes eye contact and says, “Let’s try this together,” can completely change the moment. The child often mirrors that calm energy and becomes motivated to try again. As children age and can better express their feelings with words, you just have to make sure you meet them where they’re at and that your behavior corresponds with their development level.

What approaches do you recommend to foster a growth mindset in children, encouraging them to see challenge as opportunities to learn?

When kids are given an opportunity to succeed, they are more willing to put in the effort to learn and grow, so they can keep succeeding. That’s how we like to structure our multi-sport sessions, especially with the younger kids. We kick off with something easy and fun, like throwing around a bunch of colored balls and having the kids pick them up and toss them back in a bucket. It seems simple and maybe a little silly, but it’s deeper than that. It’s something that all of them can do, so everyone starts off with a high five and a feeling of accomplishment. Then, when we move onto a more difficult skill lesson, they’re riding on that confidence and know that the coach with the high fives has their back to support them through whatever they try next. While kids tend to only see the finish line as success, we like to celebrate wins in between start and finish with things as small as keeping both hands on the hockey stick. You can scaffold success and build in moments of victory before the finish line to show kids that there are multiple opportunities to be successful along the journey. It also helps to remove unnecessary barriers to their success. For example, we don’t start young kids with regulation-sized basketballs and net heights. We start with smaller balls and hula hoops, so they can be successful at a skill level that’s right for their size and be motivated to build up from there. Growth also begins with curiosity, so encourage that. Always give them a chance to try new ways to figure something out. It can be as simple as saying, “Let’s see what happens if we try this.” Giving something a try without knowing what the outcome will be helps build curiosity to stimulate that growth mindset.

How can parents balance providing support with allowing their children to experience and overcome difficulties on their own?

The idea is to support them enough to keep them safe, but not so much that you remove the challenge all together. Failure is a part of success, so rather than giving answers, parents can ask guiding questions that help children think through solutions themselves. This leads kids to ask the questions they need to be successful and helps them learn that they are capable of solving problems and navigating challenges.

What self-care practices would you recommend for parents to maintain their own resilience while going through the everyday challenges of raising children?

Parenting is demanding, and one of the best things parents can do for their children is take care of themselves. Simple self-care rituals like going for a walk, practicing mindfulness, exercising, deep breathing or even enjoying a quiet coffee can help recharge your emotional reserves. Give yourself permission to do something for yourself. Seeing that will model for your children how to self-regulate. Plus, if you want your child to be active, go out and be active yourself, whether that’s hitting the gym or playing sports with other adults. It’s also important to connect with other parents. Sharing experiences reminds us that we’re not alone in this journey. Perhaps most importantly, parents should extend the same compassion to themselves that they give their children. There is no such thing as a perfect parent. It’s in our right to pursue perfection, but attaining it is not our business. We try our best and learn along the way.

Ok. Here is the main question of our discussion. Can you please share “5 Strategies To Raise Children With Resilience and Emotional Strength”? If you can, kindly share a story or example for each.

1. Celebrate effort over outcome

At Sportball, we often have a child look up at us with that classic “I can’t do it” face. My response is always the same. I smile and say, “I love how hard you’re trying. That’s exactly what Kobe [or insert their favorite athlete] would do.” Their whole expression changes. They take a breath, give it another go, and even if the skill doesn’t click right away, they keep trying because they know the effort is what truly matters.

2. Create safe spaces for failure

In a multi-sport class, we were practicing overhand throws. One of my nine-year-olds missed the target completely and shouted, “I’m terrible at this.” Before the frustration could take over, I tossed my own ball and missed by a mile on purpose. The kids burst out laughing, and I shrugged and said, “Looks like I need practice too.” He tried again but this time smiling, and the rest of the group followed. Suddenly, missing wasn’t embarrassing; it was just part of the game.

3. Build confidence through small wins

Because children develop at their own pace, it’s important to recognize what “winning” looks like for each of them. In our Parent and Child classes and programs for 3–5-year-olds, sometimes “winning” is joining the group for the first time. Sometimes it’s holding the bat correctly or remembering a skill from last week. When we celebrate those small steps, kids start to see themselves as capable, and that confidence fuels everything that comes next.

4. Model calm, regulated behavior

When I’m giving instructions, and the group’s attention starts to drift, I use a class management strategy called the power of silence. Instead of raising my voice or giving a consequence, I simply pause mid-sentence and wait. The silence gets loud in the best way. One by one, the kids notice, settle and self-regulate. When everyone is with me again, I thank them and continue. It teaches them that calm is contagious, and that they can find it themselves.

5. Encourage problem solving and independence

In basketball classes, older kids often ask me to fix their form. After offering a few pointers, I’ll say, “Let’s try something. What do you think feels off?” They look down, adjust their stance, try again, and it’s almost always better. I’ll say, “See? You’re coaching yourself.” For the rest of class, they experiment, make adjustments and even help their peers. Their confidence grows because they realize they can self-correct and figure things out on their own.

How can mindfulness and emotional regulation techniques be incorporated into daily routines to support children’s emotional resilience?

I’ve actually taken some of the things from our adaptive programming at Sportball and integrated it into my home life. We do short breathing exercises before school or bedtime, and I like to do a lot of positive affirmations with my daughters before dropping them off at school. I’ll have them say “I am kind. I am strong. I am independent,” and I always say to them, “Be kind and make good choices.” The goal is for these repetitions and reminders to be stuck in their heads like a Bruno Mars song, so they always feel that they are their best, most confident selves. We also practice naming their emotions to help them better identify and communicate how they’re feeling, and sometimes we just take a pause. It’s OK to not always have the answer and to take a beat to self-regulate. Also, just model mindfulness yourself, so kids can see it in action. Movement is another powerful tool for releasing stress, anxiety and pent-up energy, especially with school-aged kids who sit in desks most of the day. Activities like sports, gymnastics and dance are great for that.

Are there any specific tools or resources (books, apps, courses) you recommend for individuals looking to improve in this area?

For kids, my obvious answer would be getting them into multi-sport youth programs that lead with fun over competition. Aside from the physical benefits, it’s an impactful way to teach kids valuable interpersonal skills, like following directions, taking turns and teamwork. Many parents also benefit from it too. They learn tools and strategies to help their children succeed and grow in a nurturing way. Any activity or class with parents and children can help build positive relationships with your kids. For parents, local parent groups on social media or through schools, hospitals or local organizations can be really beneficial communities of folks who have kids the same age and can share supportive resources. Sharing experiences and strategies helps parents see that they’re not alone. I recommend meeting up in person with other parents. Join an adult sports league, where you can enjoy the games and talk shop about parenting with others going through it. Hidden Opponent is a mental health organization that focuses on athletes, which is something I’m passionate about, and Sportball is very aligned with. It’s for athletes older than the ones we serve, but they provide really great resources for student athletes and their parents. It gives me hope to see other organizations prioritizing the emotional wellbeing of young athletes as they age and become the adults they’re meant to be.

Wonderful. We are nearly done. Is there a person in the world, or in the US, with whom you would like to have a private breakfast or lunch, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂

The chance to connect with Dr. Becky Kennedy would be pretty cool, to talk about resilience, emotional regulation and how it helps transform kids. I think we’d have a lot to talk about on how to coach parents and coaches on how to interact with kids in a positive way. From the sports world, I’m a big basketball fan, so I have to say Steve Nash, because he’s a huge supporter of youth sports, and Steve Kerr because of his ability to coach. He won championships in his playing days, but he’s also won four for the Golden State Warriors. He gets the best out of his players who might not be the tallest or fastest, and it’s inspiring to watch.

How can our readers further follow your work online?

They can find me on LinkedIn and learn more at Sportball.com.

This was very meaningful, thank you so much. We wish you only continued success on your great work!

– Authority Mag Editorial Staff, Medium. Link to article: https://medium.com/authority-magazine/raising-resilient-kids-jason-drocha-of-sportball-on-strategies-for-nurturing-emotional-strength-ec33f6c709fb

The post Raising Resilient Kids: Jason D’Rocha Of Sportball On Strategies for Nurturing Emotional Strength in Children appeared first on Sportball.

Founded in Toronto in 1995 by husband and wife Mark and Carmella Gelgor, Sportball was built around a belief that felt almost radical for a sports program: that kids do not need to compete to grow. Movement, joy, and a coach who greets them at the door, that is the starting point. Thirty years later, that belief has grown into a franchise system with more than 900 activity sites across four countries, reaching more than 70,000 children each year. The brand already has locations in Austin, Boston South, Brooklyn, Dallas, Katy, North Houston, Phoenix, San Antonio East, and Southern California. With U.S. expansion now accelerating, the brand is bringing its research-backed, fun-first approach to American families who are increasingly looking for something different.

Jason D’Rocha, Vice President of Sportball and a 20-year veteran of the company, sat down with Franchise Brief to tell the story of how the brand was built, what makes its methodology distinct, and why the ideal Sportball franchise owner might not have a sports background at all.

Where It All Begins: Meeting Kids Where They Are

Sportball’s founders arrived in Canada with a concept, not a playbook. Their multi-sport approach had roots in South Africa, but not everything translated to North American culture and climate. So they spent years rethinking which sports would resonate, how young they could start, and what the experience should feel like for a 2-year-old encountering a soccer ball for the very first time.

What emerged was a curriculum built around eight major ball sports, delivered in developmentally appropriate stages starting as young as 16 months. Earliest classes are parent-participation programs, where parents join their children on the gym floor. That choice was deliberate. For toddlers, sport is not yet about skill. It is about building positive associations with movement, with coaches, and with the adults who brought them there.

“When you’re thinking of teaching kids how to play sports, they’re not going to go play pickup basketball or hockey,” D’Rocha said. “But what they’re going to do is build up really positive association with sports, physical activity, and mom and dad or their caregiver.”

As children grow, the structure evolves with them. Drop-off programs begin around age 3 and a half, introducing independent play and giving children their first experience with an authority figure who is not a parent. By the time kids reach 6, 7, and 8, Sportball has layered in skill development, team play, and gentle introductions to competition, all within a framework where mistakes carry no real stakes.

The Case Against Early Specialization

Across North America, children are being funneled into single-sport programs earlier and earlier, and the consequences are visible. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, 70% of kids quit sports by age 13. Overuse injuries are rising and burnout is common. For every child who reaches a collegiate or professional level, thousands more walk away from sport entirely before ever finding out whether they actually enjoyed it. Sportball has spent three decades working to interrupt that pattern, and the urgency has never felt more relevant.

When Winning Becomes the Wrong Goal

D’Rocha draws a pointed analogy. He references Andre Agassi, one of the greatest tennis players in history, who famously admitted he never loved the game he mastered. Specialization without passion, D’Rocha argues, can produce skill without fulfillment, and sometimes resentment.

Physical Literacy

Exposing children to up to eight sports within a single season, the program builds what the brand calls physical literacy: the foundational movement skills, including balance, coordination, timing, and hand-eye tracking, that allow a child to enter any sport with competence and confidence. Producing elite athletes is not the goal. Producing kids who love being active, and who carry that love into adulthood, is.

“If you can introduce children to sport and physical activity at a young age and they have developed positive associations with parents, with a coach, with friends, with teammates,” D’Rocha said, “well, then when they get older, maybe they’ll start to see it as necessary as brushing their teeth.”

Screen Time

Physical literacy is only part of the picture. Growing sedentary behavior driven by screen culture is a concern that runs parallel to early specialization, and Sportball addresses both. D’Rocha, who has two daughters of his own, is candid about the challenge. Children communicate on screens, do homework on screens, and entertain themselves on screens.

When “Counting Sleeps” Becomes the Metric

That phrase, “count their sleeps,” comes up more than once, and it matters because it captures the emotion Sportball is trying to create: anticipation, not obligation. When a child asks their parent, “how many more days until the next Sportball class?”, the parent knows they found something special. The joy and excitement in that question are akin to counting down the nights before a special holiday or number of school days before a fun vacation.

D’Rocha connected that anticipation to the broader realities of digital screens and sedentary routines. Sportball, he suggested, gives parents a consistent weekly reason to show up. That helps establish routine and reinforces that movement belongs in the rhythm of life.

In the same breath, he framed routine as a life lesson. Many adults know the feeling of not wanting to do the thing that is good for them, then doing it anyway because the habit is established. Sportball’s role is to create that habit early, but in a way children experience as fun and relationship-driven.

What Actually Happens Inside a Sportball Class

Walking into a Sportball class for the first time, a parent might be surprised by how much structure lives beneath what looks like organized chaos. Sessions run about 60 minutes and follow a deliberate sequence that coaches are trained to deliver consistently, because for young children, knowing what comes next is half the battle. Predictability reduces anxiety, and reduced anxiety means kids are ready to learn.

Structure That Feels Like Play

Opening with a 10 to 15 minute warm-up that is as much social as it is physical, coaches introduce turn-taking, following instructions, and skill combinations, sometimes asking children to balance on one foot while holding a ball, layering challenge without raising anxiety. Consider a game called Popcorn, where a coach dumps a bucket of colorful balls into the air and children race to return them to the basket. Simple by design, every child can succeed, and that first moment of success becomes the foundation for everything that follows.

“If I can play a game where they can have success, then when I put a tennis racket in their hand, they’ll think, ‘Coach J already gave me a chance to be successful. Let me see what else he’s got,’” D’Rocha said.

Built to Progress, Not to Judge

From there, class moves into skill practice, individual exploration, and group activity. Coaches are trained to offer progressions for children who are ready for more challenge, and refinements for those who need more time. Sessions close with a low-energy activity to bring the group back down before a structured, hand-to-hand dismissal that ensures every child is safely returned to their caregiver. Coaches then brief parents on what was covered and offer ideas for practicing at home, because as D’Rocha puts it, “refine, rehearse, and repeat” extends well beyond the gym floor.

For families who want more flexibility, or have children who are not drawn to team sports, Sportball also offers a Fit Kids program built around functional fitness games and activities that develop strength and endurance without a sports-specific focus. Birthday parties and private events round out the menu, making Sportball a program families tend to grow into rather than out of.

A Franchise Model Built for Purpose

Sportball’s franchise model is built around low overhead and geographic flexibility. Rather than requiring brick-and-mortar locations, franchisees run programs inside gymnasiums, multi-purpose rooms, schools, and community centers, paying only for the hours they occupy the space. Costs stay predictable, and growth comes from adding locations and registrations rather than managing a lease. It is a structure designed to let owners focus on building relationships and delivering great programs, not on managing real estate.

A Model That Works for Everyone in the Room

Pricing is seasonal, with families registering for 10-week sessions at rates that typically range from $15 to $25 per child per class, depending on the market. That range is not arbitrary. It sits comfortably within what families already spend on enrichment programs, and that pricing integrity leaves franchisees room to invest in what matters most: the coaches who show up every week and make the experience worth coming back for.

Paying coaches well is not just good culture, it is good business. When a child counts their sleeps until their next Sportball class, that loyalty belongs as much to the coach as it does to the brand. Retaining great coaches means retaining families, and retaining families means a stronger, more predictable business.

Setting Franchisees Up to Win

Each new franchisee goes through a structured discovery process that builds a full business plan for their territory, including competitive analysis, revenue modeling, and identification of program locations, before any commitment is made. As D’Rocha puts it, “We’re awarding territories. We’re not just selling them.”

From there, a support model connects new owners with a corporate team member who provides dedicated hours each week covering registration platforms, marketing assets, business development playbooks, HR, and training.

Once a franchisee is ready to launch their first season, one of the model’s most valuable advantages kicks in: registration opens before the doors do, so families are signing up and deposits are arriving before a single class is ever delivered, giving new owners early financial visibility and a running start from day one. After opening, Monthly Growth Labs bring the franchise network together to share best practices, and bi-weekly calls with a dedicated growth coach keep momentum building from there.

The Person Sportball Is Looking For

Becoming a Sportball franchisee doesn’t require a background in corporate finance or operations; they have designed systems and playbooks to teach those aspects of the business. When asked what they are looking for, the message was clear:

“We’re looking for people who are passionate about our mission and willing to put the work into their community.”

Charisma, comfort with people, and a willingness to follow a proven system all matter. But what D’Rocha describes most often is someone who has reached a turning point; a person with real-world experience who is ready to use it for something that feels meaningful. He sees that shift happening across the corporate world right now.

“There are so many ways to earn a dollar in this life,” D’Rocha said. “Maybe I want to do something that actually makes a difference.”

Coaching Knowledge, Career Path and Impact

Most youth sports programs treat coaching as a transactional role: show up, run the drills, go home. Sportball treats it as a development opportunity, and that distinction runs through every layer of how the brand hires, trains, and promotes the people who deliver its programs. It is also one of the reasons the model works as well as it does for franchisees, because a coach who is growing tends to stay, and a coach who stays builds the kind of relationships that keep families coming back season after season.

That weight on the coach is why Sportball invests heavily in training. D’Rocha described a coach onboarding system, including the Coach’s Journey and Coach’s Academy, built to train coaches not only on sport delivery but also on how to engage families, manage classes, redirect behavior, and support children who feel nervous or experience separation anxiety.

From Rookie to Master

Every new hire enters through the Coach’s Journey and Coach’s Academy, moving through a graduated system from rookie to lead, lead to mentor, and mentor to master. Most Sportball coaches are university and college students, many studying kinesiology, occupational therapy, or education, and for those young professionals a coaching role at Sportball is a formative experience that builds skills they will carry long after they leave.

Sportball also sets what D’Rocha called “table stakes” for working with children: coaches are expected to have a nationwide clearance appropriate for working with the vulnerable sector, and to be CPR and first aid certified. D’Rocha also said Sportball has had very few injuries over its years of operation, which he attributed to the program’s non-competitive, low-impact approach and the young ages served.

What makes that investment particularly smart is where it leads. At the top of the ladder, Master Level Coaches become candidates for area management and even franchise ownership, creating a pipeline that benefits everyone in the system. Coaches who have lived the program from the inside make some of the most effective franchise owners, because they already understand the methodology, the culture, and what families expect when they walk through the door. Several current franchisees, including owners in Austin, Katy, Vancouver, and the Okanagan, began as part-time coaches before buying their territories. D’Rocha himself started as a part-time coach in 2004, a detail he shares not as a footnote but as proof of what the journey can look like.

Proof in the Pudding

Perhaps the most powerful illustration of what Sportball’s model can do comes from a story D’Rocha tells with quiet pride. A child with special needs arrived at Sportball barely able to catch a ball, terrified of what might come his way. His mother was ready to pull him out after the first class. D’Rocha asked for one season. The child stayed, grew from apprehensive to confident, from confident to competent, and eventually his mother asked whether he could train as a junior coach. He joined the staff. He became a mentor-level coach.

“The proof is in the pudding,” D’Rocha said. “We were able to move kids on this journey through physical literacy, sports development, and social development, to a point where hopefully not only do we pay them, but they can actually come back and contribute themselves.”

The Right Brand at the Right Time

Youth sports in North America is a $37.5 billion market, valued in 2022 and projected to reach $69.4 billion by 2030. That growth creates real commercial opportunity, but D’Rocha frames Sportball’s expansion in terms that go well beyond market size. He talks about a generation of kids being failed by a system that prioritizes winning over wellbeing, and a brand that has been quietly solving that problem for three decades. As the team expands its footprint in the U.S., Sportball is not chasing a trend. It is meeting a need that has been building for years.

A Market Ready for Something Different

Pressure points in U.S. youth sports are well documented. Seventeen percent of parents expect their children to go pro, even as less than 2% of NCAA athletes ultimately reach that level. Sedentary behavior driven by screens is accelerating. Early specialization, travel teams, and year-round training cycles are producing a generation of kids who quit by 13. Sportball was built for exactly this moment, and its track record across cultures suggests the model travels well.

Singapore offers a telling example. In a culture that had long prioritized academics over recreation, the brand reframed its value proposition around research showing that physically active children perform better academically. More than 5,000 children now participate in Sportball programs there, a result that speaks to the brand’s ability to find the right message for the right market.

More Than a Business

Above all else, D’Rocha returns to the same idea when describing what makes Sportball different from any other franchise opportunity. It is not the model, the methodology, or even the market size. It is the feeling of knowing that the work you do each day is shaping someone’s life in ways you may never fully see.

“You may not be famous on social media, you may not have a billboard with your face on it,” he said. “But sometime down the road, someone will look back and say, ‘If it wasn’t for that person, I may not be here today.’ You do have the opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives in a way you may never even know. And I think that’s the beauty of having a business like this.”

For families, Sportball offers something increasingly rare: a place where kids can simply play. For franchisees, it offers a business built around something that outlasts any single season. For the coaches who grow through its ranks, it offers a start. And for the children counting their sleeps until the next session, it offers exactly what it always promised.

– Tim Katsch, publisher of Franchise Brief

Link to article: https://franchisebrief.com/sportball-early-movement-lifelong-advantage/

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What Is the Multisport Advantage for Young Athletes?

The multisport advantage refers to the physical, psychological, and social benefits young athletes gain from participating in multiple sports instead of specializing early. Research shows that multi-sport participation improves motor skill development, reduces injury risk, lowers burnout rates, and increases long-term athletic success and lifelong physical activity.

What happens if young athletes don’t embrace a varied athletic approach? Let’s break down the potential downsides of early specialization and explore the multisport advantage for young athletes. Keeping the athletic menu diverse offers benefits.

Below, we map out a progression that shows how Sportball’s multi-sport classes grow skills and spark confidence.

First Steps & Fundamentals. Age Range 16 months–3 years What It Looks Like:

In this phase, your child is experiencing movement for the joy of it. They’re introduced to a variety of fundamental movements: from running to kicking and throwing to jumping. Sports are taught through a playful and supportive environment.

Skill Benchmarks:

• Engages happily in group activities
• Develops gross motor basics (running, stopping, balance)
• Starts to follow simple instructions

This stage is all about building physical literacy, the bedrock of athletic confidence that’s transferable to every sport.

Practicing Independent Movement & Gaining Confidence. Age Range 3–5 years What It Looks Like:

Your little athlete starts recognizing patterns across different sports: how eyes track a ball, how feet work when running and changing direction, how to wait their turn and celebrate others. 

Skill Benchmarks

• Improved coordination and balance
• Can follow multi-step instructions
• Beginning sport-specific skills (passing, kicking with intent)

Sport Awareness & Playful Exploration. Age Range 5–12 years What It Looks Like:

With a solid foundation of general skills in place, kids begin to show preferences, maybe soccer sticks out more than basketball this week, or they absolutely love the way a golf swing feels.

Skill Benchmarks

• Better decision-making during play
• Awareness of teammates and sharing equipment
• Fundamental sport skills emerging across multiple sports
• Can stay focused through a full class 
• Plays cooperatively and listens to simple game cues
• Understands cooperation and rotation
• Game awareness (Where should I be? What should I do with the ball?)
• Solid control of sport-specific skills
• Can participate in full games with consistent effort
• Positive communication and sport understanding

This is the transition zone. Kids at this age can start sampling structured team play, like recreational leagues, while continuing multi-sport classes for the physical, social, and behavioural benefits.

Why Keeping Multi-Sport in Rotation Works

Across each stage above, research and experience agree on three big truths:

Broad motor skills=better athletes

Exposing kids to many movement patterns helps them develop strength, balance, coordination, and agility that transfer across sports. Studies from the European Journal of Sport Sciences and the Journal of Athletic Training state that, “most Olympians demonstrate better performance after youth multi-sport engagement.”

Lower risk of injury

Multi-sport programs, like ones at Sportball, are designed with fun first programming across multiple sports. According to research published by the Journal of Athletic Training, sport specialization often requires increased training hours and may predispose young athletes to social isolation, poor academic performance, increased anxiety, greater stress, inadequate sleep, decreased family time, and burnout. 

Dodge Dropout

Multi-sport play spreads movement loads and keeps sport fun, as opposed to focusing on one sport for most of the year. Project Play surveyed young kids, asking why they played sports. Winning ranked 48th. Fun? Number one. Multi-sport builds love of play for life. Kids who explore more sports are more likely to stay active because sport doesn’t feel like pressure: it’s just fun.

When Should Young Athletes Specialize?

Can multi-sport athletes still become elite?

Yes, many elite athletes played multiple sports in their youth. Your child can still become an elite athlete without early specialization. Did you know most Olympians didn’t start practicing their main sport until they were 10, and didn’t specialize until 15 years of age? On average, most Olympians spend the first 10 years of their life playing multiple sports, discovering what they enjoy, what they’re good at, and becoming well-rounded athletes.

Starting specialization

At Sportball, our non-competitive multi-sport approach is about confidence, teamwork, and resilience. Our coaching and programming are grounded in child development science, and designed to help every kid find a love of movement for life. 

After age 12, your child may be ready for the next step into specialization. Their path from Sportball beginner to confident league player doesn’t happen overnight, and it shouldn’t. It happens through play, exploration, and growing confidence. By keeping multiple sports integrated in that journey, even through specialization, you’re giving your young athlete the best chance to thrive physically, socially, and emotionally on any field they choose later in life.

References

1. Aspen Institute. (2019, August 1). Survey: Kids quit most sports by age 11. Project Play. https://projectplay.org/news/kids-quit-most-sports-by-age-11
2. Brenner, J. S., LaBotz, M., Sugimoto, D., & Stracciolini, A. (2019). The psychosocial implications of sport specialization in pediatric athletes. Journal of Athletic Training, 54(10), 1021–1029. https://doi.org/10.4085/1062-6050-394-18
3. Blake, S. (2025, November 24). More than a ball: How Sportball is nurturing healthy youth development built on confidence and community. USA Today. https://www.usatoday.com/story/special/contributor-content/2025/11/24/more-than-a-ball-how-sportball-is-nurturing-healthy-youth-development-built-on-confidence-and-commun/87449404007/
4. Mukhopadhyay, K., LeBlanc, M., Porter, M., & Zhang, Q. (2023). Starting and specialisation ages of elite athletes across Olympic sports: An international cross-sectional study. European Journal of Sport Sciences, 2(5), 9–19. https://eu-opensci.org/index.php/sport/article/view/9100

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