Head Coach - Free to Play Edmonton
Job Summary
Free Play for Kids is seeking enthusiastic Head Coaches to join our Free to Play program on a part-time basis. If you excel at engaging with children and possess exceptional interpersonal skills, we want you on our team. As a Free to Play Head Coach, you will be the coaching lead at one of our elementary school sites, responsible for delivering our four core sports — flag football, ball hockey, soccer, and basketball — on a rotating weekly basis.
A successful candidate will spend the majority of their time delivering high-quality, sport-specific programming for kids, with a focus on hands-on coaching and multi-sport delivery. Using sport as the primary tool, the role emphasizes skill development, physical literacy, teamwork, and confidence-building in a fun and inclusive environment. Coaches are expected to go beyond traditional instruction by incorporating social-emotional learning into sport activities, while serving as positive role models and mentors. This role is ideal for individuals with playing and/or coaching experience across multiple sports who are passionate about working with kids and youth, building relationships through sport, and inspiring the next generation through meaningful play experiences at Free Play for Kids.
Head Coaches who are well versed in, and have experience coaching, soccer, basketball, or ball hockey teams may be identified to also serve as a Jr. Wolves Coach. Jr. Wolves is a transitional program that develops athletes ages 7-12 through in-house Free to Play school teams, with the aim of preparing them for the Wolves Athletic Club — Free Play's more external-facing, higher-level playing teams. Jr. Wolves Coaches lead Jr. Wolves Soccer, Basketball, and Ball Hockey teams, running practices at Free to Play schools and coaching games in gymnasiums and city facilities. This designation involves extended hours, including game days that run into the evening (see Position Conditions).
Education & Qualifications
Coaching and/or playing experience in one or more of flag football, ball hockey, soccer, or basketball; experience across all four sports is a strong asset.
1-2 years minimum experience working with children or youth, preferably in sport or recreation settings such as coaching, camps, or community-based sport initiatives.
Experience leading, mentoring, or supporting other coaches is considered an asset, as you will supervise and support assistant coaches.
Comfort planning and adapting practices for four different sports across a season, including adjusting drills for space, age, and skill level.
Ability to set expectations and model positive coaching practices.
Post-secondary education in Physical Education, Sport and Recreation, Kinesiology, Education, Sociology, Psychology, Early Childhood Education, or a related field is an asset, but not required.
Standard First Aid Certification and CPR training, or the ability to obtain quickly.
Valid driver's license with a reliable vehicle.
Availability to begin work at 12:00 pm on Thursdays (required for placements at ECSD schools).
Clear, up-to-date Criminal Record and Vulnerable Sector check.
Experience playing a variety of sports is considered a major asset.
NCCP (National Coaching Certification Program) training or sport-specific certification in flag football, ball hockey, soccer, or basketball is considered a major asset.
Experience in customer service and maintaining positive communication is considered a major asset.
Proficiency with TeamSnap, Connecteam, Google Suite, and related applications is considered a major asset.
For Head Coaches identified as a Jr. Wolves Coach: demonstrated coaching experience with soccer, basketball, or ball hockey teams, and a strong understanding of the rules, strategies, and player development approaches in those sports.
Key Responsibilities
Lead and deliver high-quality coaching sessions across all four Free to Play sports — flag football, ball hockey, soccer, and basketball.
Coach and lead the execution of Free Play's Sport to Life curriculum and lesson plans for youth ages 7-12 alongside assistant coaches, adapting drills and progressions for each sport.
Supervise all children in the session, ensuring the Rule of Two is maintained at all times.
Maintain accurate daily attendance, ensuring proper check-in and check-out procedures.
Participate in weekly curriculum and sport-planning meetings, contributing coaching insight and feedback across flag football, ball hockey, soccer, and basketball.
Support and model strong coaching practices for assistant coaches, helping set expectations for quality sport delivery in each of the four sports.
Complete required training and certifications through the Free Play training program to strengthen coaching, leadership, and youth-development skills.
Communicate regularly with the Regional Manager regarding scheduling, special events, participant needs, equipment needs, and any incidents or behaviour concerns.
Follow all organizational policies and procedures, including sport-specific safety protocols, emergency response, and incident reporting, to ensure a safe and a well-run program.
Adhere to the company's clothing policy by wearing the provided name tag and vest at all times while on duty.
If identified as a Jr. Wolves Coach: lead and coach an in-house Free to Play school team in Jr. Wolves Soccer, Basketball, or Ball Hockey, running practices at Free to Play schools and coaching games in gymnasiums and city facilities, in alignment with the Jr. Wolves program and Free Play's Sport to Life curriculum, and support athletes in their development toward the Wolves Athletic Club.
Understand the power of sport as a tool for social good.
Skills & Knowledge
Strong knowledge of flag football, ball hockey, soccer, and basketball fundamentals, with the ability to teach new skills in each.
Fun, approachable, and supportive leader.
Team player with a service mindset.
Adaptable and solution-focused, able to shift between sports and age groups.
Organized and manages time well, particularly across a multi-sport rotation.
Culturally respectful and inclusive.
Position Conditions
Hours of work are determined by the program schedule and are typically:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 2:30 pm - 5:30 pm.
Thursdays from 2:00 pm - 5:30 pm.
Coaches assigned to ECSD schools must be available to begin work at 12:00 pm on Thursdays.
Head Coaches identified as a Jr. Wolves Coach will instead typically work:
Monday through Friday from 2:00 pm - 6:30 pm.
Game days, which run into the evening and may require working up to 9:00 pm, based on program and league schedules.
Attendance at mandatory training sessions held on school PD (professional development) days is required.
The job is performed in schools and recreation settings, but work settings may vary depending on the project and which of the four sports is in season.
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.
