RETURN TO PLAY SAFETY PROTOCOLS

At Sportball, the health and well-being of our children and families will always be our number one priority. COVID-19 has presented new challenges, however, we remain committed to ensuring that our programs are SAFE. We will always ensure that we follow best practices and that we listen, understand, learn and are BRAVE together!

Public health officials continue to provide best practices to ensure our health and safety.

As such, we have undertaken to update and improve all safety protocols and procedures associated with the delivery of Sportball programs. We will continue to adjust and follow best practices as more information becomes available to us.

We ask that you read through the following information so that you are aware of the steps we are taking to ensure the safety and health of our Sportball community as we return to play.

Mask Wearing

Masks are highly recommended if you are immunocompromised or feeling ill.

Parents & Caregivers

We ask that our Sportball parents and caregivers support us in our efforts to keep children safe. If you or your children exhibit any symptoms of illness, please refrain from attending programs.

Parents/Caregivers attending indoor parented classes are required to attest to being fully vaccinated.

For Outdoor programs: When attending Sportball programs, we ask that ONLY one designated caregiver be present for the duration of the class to support your child when necessary. Please follow the instruction of your coach to understand where you are to sit during program time.
Use the washroom before attending your Sportball program as facilities may not be accessible at your program location.
Ensure that your children have washed their hands before participation. Please provide your own hand sanitizer. We do not know what allergies children may have.
Please always maintain two metres of social distance when visiting or attending Sportball programs. This is particularly important during arrival and dismissal.
Review your current community policies regarding health, safety, and PPE (i.e. face masks) and prepare accordingly.

Sportball Coaches

All coaches complete a training course, reviewing best practices and new protocols for health and safety as outlined by Public Health.

Coaches are required to be vaccinated.
Coaches are expected to monitor their health for any Covid-19 symptoms.
Before each class, coaches will review safety rules with children and will demonstrate how to create a safe distance during practice and play.
Rules are presented in a developmentally appropriate way so that children are not afraid and are able to understand best practices expected at Sportball.

Program Delivery & Equipment

Hoops/cones/field paint or markers will be used to ensure children are appropriately distanced (2m) during instruction & skill practice time.
Parent volunteers or teachers will be asked to support their children if required in a program.
Class ratios will respect the indoor/outdoor social gathering guidelines provided by public health.
Where equipment kits are not included in program fees, children will be given their own equipment to use throughout each class.
Sportball coaches will be responsible for distributing and collecting equipment throughout the class.
We coach very young children and establishing a two-metre distance will thus not always be possible.
Coaches will collect and sanitize Sportball provided equipment after each use.

We believe that our collective effort and commitment to these safety standards and practices will ensure that Sportball programs continue to be safe, fun, and enjoyable for all of us!

Welcome home Sportball families, welcome home!

Refund Policy:

For an Indoor or Outdoor in PERSON program, refunds apply when a de-registration is requested in writing 2 weeks prior to the start of any season.
A $25.00 administration fee will be applied to each session withdrawn by the registrant. Any camp (or clinic) week or day is regarded as one session.
For a Private, a Virtual Live or Pre-Recorded Program, refunds are not offered
Refunds will not be offered if programs are cancelled due to a pandemic, however, a credit will be applied to your Account which never expires and can be used towards the purchase of any program.
Should Sportball find it necessary to de-register a child, a refund will be issued after deduction for classes already attended.

Make-Up Classes & Cancellations:

Make-up classes are not offered if Sportball cancels the class due to extreme or unsafe weather conditions.
For Outdoor programs, our coaches are on the field run rain or shine. In the case of severe weather conditions (i.e. lightning, high winds etc.), Coaches will decide if it is safe to run at the time of your program
Sportball reserves the right to cancel any program due to insufficient enrollment. Upon cancellation, a full refund will be made within 10 business days. In the event of a program cancellation, our office will contact you within the week prior to your program start date.

Private Programs:

A mandatory parent volunteer is required to assist the coach with procedures such as drop off and pick up, ensuring that health safety guidelines are followed and with washroom breaks.
If you have booked a group Private program our coach will accommodate ONE make-up class per session should a program be cancelled due to extreme weather conditions
Make-up classes are not possible if a coach has already arrived at your location and the class is then cancelled.
If you have booked a one on one Private Session, a make-up will be accommodated provided we are given at least 48 hours notice.

Sportball at Home (Virtual Portal):

Credits from in-person programs cannot be used for Sportball at Home purchases. (The registration processing systems are separate). https://www.sportball.ca/sportball-at-home/

ZOOM Classes:

It is NOT possible to Pro Rate into a ZOOM Subscription program.
It is possible to pro-rate into a ZOOM weekly program.
If you or your child have any medical conditions that may be affected by physical activity, you must consult your Physician for approval before participating in Sportball ZOOM programs.
To ensure safety during participation, you are responsible for supervising and assisting your child. Before starting any Sportball ZOOM program, you must ensure that the playing area is clear of furniture and other objects to protect your child during the class.

Registration:

It is the parent’s responsibility to ensure that all necessary emergency information (i.e. medical and/or additional needs) has been disclosed. We encourage parents to speak with Coaches on the first day of the program.
If you have a credit on Account, this can be used towards the purchase of any program
For the safety of all children with allergies, we require that no food is brought to any Sportball location. Nut-free snacks are only permitted at our half-day and full-day camps.
PLEASE NOTE: N.S.F. cheques are subject to a $25.00 service charge.

Arrival & Dismissal Policy:

Parents/Caregivers must sign children in and out of programs*. No child can be left unattended before class!
*After-school programs are sign-out only
If your child is to be picked up by someone other than yourself, you must provide a note to your child’s Coach. Children will not be released to anyone unknown to the Sportball Coach.

Transfer Policy:

Transfers may be accommodated within the same season registered, subject to approval, unless you are registered at a Community Centre or School. Transfers cannot be made between Indoor programs and Outdoor Soccer programs or Camps.
Sportball does not recommend transfers once a season has begun as children take time to settle into the new routine of a structured program. Transfers will not be accommodated in programs if requests are received 1 week prior to a program starting where 5 or less children are enrolled.

Privacy Policy:

Sportball Head Office and its franchisees collect information to provide the best and most appropriate care for its registrants.
All personal family information is processed and stored in a secure database with access controls.
Sportball Head Office and its franchisees use this data for statistical analysis to develop future programs.
Sportball Head Office and its franchisees do not sell or rent your family information to any person or organization. Information is only given to those directly involved in providing a service to your child, or as required by law. Forms are destroyed at the end of each season.
Sportball Head Office and its franchisees retain your contact information to communicate with you if we have new information that may be of interest to you. To opt-out of marketing messages, please contact the local Sportball office using the email address at the foot of this page.
To learn more about our privacy policy, please visit http://www.sportball.ca/privacy-policy/ or contact our Head Office at our toll- free number 1.877.678.5437.

Program Requirements

General Program Requirements:

Drop Off Programs: We encourage parents to attend our Parent Participation Week, held once each session.
Parent Participation Programs (e.g. Parent & Child, Me & My Dad): Only one parent or caregiver per child is permitted.
- Newborns, toddlers and older siblings not registered in classes cannot accompany parents and siblings in the program. Please contact your local Sportball office for more assistance if you have any questions.

Filming, Photography and Privacy during Programs:

Families are welcome to use still photography to capture their child’s Sportball experience, however, we ask that no photos or videos are taken during our programs that may also include other children without their parents’ knowledge or consent.
Please note that filming/photography policy may be subject to change, if Sportball programs are hosted at community centres or private locations.

Safety at Outdoor Programs:

Parents are required to remain with their children at the field or park at all times. If you have more than one child registered at the same time in a different group, each child must be supervised by an adult.

Program-Specific Equipment & Clothing:

For Drop Off and parent participation programs, please provide your child with a drink in a non-breakable container, as there will be a short drink break.
Children should wear non-marking shoes and gym clothes. No street shoes or boots will be allowed in the playing area.
Details of equipment and clothing included in your program can be found on our website at www.sportball.ca and will also be available in your confirmation email.
In Toronto, the GTA and Calgary, where children are registered for both Spring & Summer Soccer/T-Ball, only one Soccer Ball/Baseball Cap, Jersey & Socks will be provided. In this event, a refund will be paid after the start of the Summer program.

Ball Hockey Just the Game programs: For Ball Hockey Just the Game programs, parents must provide their own Hockey Helmet with cage (CSA approved), Hockey Stick, Shin & Elbow Pads, and Hockey Gloves.

Summer Camps:

Each child must bring a small nut-free snack as well as a drink in a non-breakable container for snack time.

Outdoor Camps:
- Please provide your child with a labelled hat and labelled sunscreen. Ensure that sunscreen is generously applied prior to each camp day.
- Camp will run on rain days; rain day activities will be scheduled and may be held indoors. Rain day indoor activities will include sports, co-operative games and arts & crafts.
Full-Day Camps:
- Parents must provide children with a nut-free lunch and snack as well as a drink for the camp day.

Other Camps & Clinics (Holiday Season, Winter, Spring Break):

Each child must bring a small nut-free snack as well as a drink in a non-breakable container for snack time.

Register

Winter 2023

Your browser is out-of-date!