Full-Time Head Coach - Welcome to Play, Free to Play, and Jr. Wolves
Job Summary
Free Play for Kids uses sport to build healthier, more connected communities. We deliver multi-sport programming in Edmonton schools, develop young athletes through Jr. Wolves, and make sport accessible to kids who need it most. Our programs are growing and we're building the team to match.
We're hiring a full-time Head Coach to lead programming across three of our core streams: Welcome to Play, Free to Play, and Jr. Wolves.
Mornings, you're in schools — delivering Welcome to Play in-school sessions, running our lunch-hour sport league, and building the kind of relationships with kids and school staff that keep our programs thriving. Afternoons, you're on the court as a Free to Play Head Coach, coaching flag football, ball hockey, soccer, and basketball for youth ages 7–12. Coaches with strong team sport experience may also be designated as Jr. Wolves Coaches, leading in-house school teams through practices and game nights as athletes develop toward the Wolves Athletic Club.
This is a 6-hour-per-day, full-time role — one of the most complete coaching positions we offer.
What You'll Do
Deliver Welcome to Play in-school activations and lead the daily Free to Play lunch league across Edmonton school sites
Build and maintain relationships with school staff and administrators to support program growth
Lead after-school coaching sessions in flag football, ball hockey, soccer, and basketball using Free Play's Sport to Life curriculum
Supervise youth, maintain attendance records, and model strong coaching practices for assistant coaches
Where designated: lead Jr. Wolves teams through practices and game nights
Communicate regularly with your Regional Manager and participate in weekly sport-planning sessions
Complete required training through the Free Play training program
What We’re Looking For
Required:
Coaching or playing experience across multiple sports — flag football, ball hockey, soccer, and basketball are our core four
1–2 years of experience working with children or youth in sport, recreation, or school settings
Comfortable engaging large groups of children in school environments (assemblies, class visits, gym sessions)
Valid driver's license and reliable vehicle — you will travel to multiple Edmonton school sites
Standard First Aid Certification and CPR, or ability to obtain quickly
Clear Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Check
Assets:
NCCP or sport-specific coaching certification
Post-secondary education in Physical Education, Kinesiology, Education, or a related field
Experience mentoring or supervising other coaches
Proficiency with TeamSnap, Connecteam, or Google Suite
Position Details
Full-time, approximately 30 hours per week
Morning hours: ~11:00 AM – 12:30 PM (Welcome to Play in-school sessions)
Afternoon hours: 2:30–5:30 PM M/T/W/F, Thursday 2:30-6:00PM (possible extended hours to start 12:00PM).
Why Free Play for Kids
Full-time hours with a consistent, meaningful daily schedule
Paid training and professional development through the Free Play training program
A team that genuinely believes sport changes lives — and builds programs that prove it
Free Play for Kids is an equal-opportunity employer. Diversity and inclusion are values of Free Play for Kids. Free Play for Kids welcomes applications from qualified individuals from all backgrounds.
Free Play for Kids respectfully operates on Treaty 6 territory, a traditional gathering place for diverse Indigenous peoples including the Cree, Blackfoot, Métis, Nakota Sioux, Iroquois, Dene, Ojibway/Saulteaux/Anishinaabe, Inuit, and many others whose histories, languages, and cultures continue to influence our community.
