Tournament days: why are they so iconic for Free Play?
Every Thursday, something special happens in Free Play. If you follow us on social media and look at our Free Play Insiders, you might notice a lot of pictures of kids playing together in one space. Chances are, you are likely seeing photos from a tournament day!
Tournament Days are one of the biggest traditions in the Free to Play program. But they are about much more than just sports.
They are about belonging.
What Are Tournament Days?
Tournament Days are organized game days where kids from different Free Play schools come together to compete in sports like soccer, basketball, ball hockey, and more.
Throughout the week, students practice and play at their own schools during Free to Play programming. Then on Thursdays, schools travel to compete against one another in regional tournaments, and once a month, they come together to participate in a ‘Super Tournament’, a tournament day that brings all Free Play schools together!
Why so Iconic?
These game days give kids the chance to:
represent their school,
compete as a team,
and build friendships with new kiddos!
For many kids, Tournament Days are their first experience playing in real games with a team environment and tournament-style competition!
But what really makes them stand out is the atmosphere. On Tournament Days, if you find yourself at the venue, you can feel the energy from a mile away. From buses arriving to an atmosphere full of excitement, cheering, and kids experiencing what it means to be part of something outside their own school.
Especially on super tournaments, if you take a moment to look around, you can instantly feel: This is Free Play
