Food to Play had an amazing year of learning and trying new foods, recipes and learning the impact of nutrients on our bodies and minds. I was super proud of all the kiddos who "Tried New Things" and always came to sessions with questions, input and most of all their appetites.I hope they continue to use their knowledge and make great choices through the summer to help them play, belong and grow!

This week, our U11 Wolves West/South suited up for a Main Event rematch against Wolves North. A high-energy night filled with lights, goals, and a packed crowd. Although trailing heading into the third period, West/South battled back, led by Slade’s 3 goals and 1 assist. His standout effort fueled a dramatic comeback and sealed a huge win. Best of luck to all 3 teams as they kick off their playoff runs this week!

Welcome to Play hit it out of the park with MLB Day at RE/MAX Field! Kids enjoyed baseball drills and wrapped it up with a slice of pizza fun!

Mike Dufresne, lead coach of the FreePlay program at Balwin School, is a recipient of this year’s Division Recognition Award for his outstanding commitment to creating an inclusive and supportive environment for students.

From the Free Play family, we would like to send Mike our most sincere congratulations. You deserve it, your impact hasn't gone unnoticed - WAY TO GO!

Our Wolves ball hockey teams stepped in front of the camera for Media Day — plenty of poses, team pride, and big smiles all around!

As the year comes to an end, the kids learned about hydration and electrolytes while enjoying their BioSteel drinks. Sponsored by Alberta Blue Cross! 

The kids celebrated each other while giving out the Leader of the Week certificate - what makes a good leader? They say being kind, passing to teammates, and trying your best!

This week, we explored our lesson: Thinking of Others. Through this lesson, we aim to help kids grow in compassion by encouraging them to consider the thoughts, ideas, and feelings of those around them. By learning to think of others, young athletes begin to build empathy, leadership, teamwork, and stronger communication skills—on and off the field.

Our U15 and U13 Wolves soccer teams spent the day downtown at Louise McKinney Riverfront Park for a fun team exploration and bonding experience. As part of the Downtown Vibrancy Grant, train tickets and staff wages were covered. This provides kids with exposure to downtown so they can return with friends and family!

This week, we explored our lesson: Knowing Myself. With this lesson, we aim to help young athletes reflect on what makes them unique, recognize their strengths, and take small steps toward growth.

To celebrate our incredible volunteers and thank them for helping us grow stronger this past year, we hosted a flower and seed potting party. Guests got to pot their own flowers or seeds and take home a fun reminder of the positive impact they’ve made. We couldn’t have done it without you—thank you for being such a vital part of our team!

As the Year comes to an end - the kids are showing how much they have learned about nutrition during the food sessions. Understanding that carbohydrates fuel the body - giving them energy to play!

Our Wolves Ball Hockey teams are gathering momentum as they prepare for the upcoming BHE playoffs! Get ready for some thrilling playoff action—Go Wolves!

We had such a great Food Session in the North! We started off with juicy watermelon which is always a treat for the kids and then learn how easy Pita Pizza's are to make. With the Pepperoni being Halal, everyone was able to participate!

U15 Wolves soccer player Iranzi I. was named Player of the Game after the team’s massive 12–1 win over the Drillers. Iranzi showed tremendous goal-scoring prowess—scoring not one, not two, but four goals. Unreal!

Congratulations to Iranzi I. and the U15 Wolves on an outstanding performance!

This Monday, our U15 Wolves soccer team ran wild with a 12–1 victory over the Drillers! Outstanding performance, boys — GO WOLVES!

On June 6th, the Wolves Athletic Club will be present for an AMA event and will provide fun soccer challenges!  Get ready to test your skills and have a blast with a Juggle Contest, Shooting Station, Rings Challenge (aim for 6 shots through targets), Free Play Grid, and the ultimate 1v1 showdown against a coach!

This week, we explored our lesson: Playing with Others. Every day, we encourage young athletes to step outside their comfort zones by teaming up with new friends, building trust, and showing kindness—all while having fun through play!

Only two more weeks left of Free to Play! The year-end celebration is on June 19th.

Kids are sharing phone numbers and social media handles to stay in touch over the summer. They've made new friends thanks to Free Play—connections that might not have happened otherwise. It’s awesome to see how the program brings kids together through play and helps kids build a sense of belonging through new friendships!