This information is from 2016. Check out the Family Fun Calgary Lessons Guide.

Presented by Sport Chek.

For kids, September doesn’t just signal the return to school – it also offers the excitement of getting back to their favourite fall/winter sports and activities! As parents, we’re in charge of registering our youngsters in great programs and making sure they have all the clothing and gear they need. This ultimate guide to fall/winter athletic programs for kids in Calgary will connect you with some excellent options for Soccer, Gymnastics, Basketball & Volleyball, Climbing & Bouldering and Swim Clubs, plus great gear they’ll love to wear while playing.

Durable enough for both school books and athletic gear, the Under Armour Hustle II Backpack from Sport Chek is a great first purchase during your back to school shopping!

While we haven’t specifically listed their programs in the categories below, City of Calgary Recreation also offers many excellent (and frequently affordable) athletic programs for kids! Build your City of Calgary custom recreation guide online.

Soccer

With a nickname like ‘the beautiful game’ who wouldn’t want to learn to play soccer? Soccer is great for improving physical fitness and coordination and learning all about the value of sportsmanship and team play.

We North Americans may call it soccer, but he’ll look and feel like a European football player in these stylish and cozy adidas Urban Football Tiro Boys’ Pants.

 

Soccer Genius

A SoccerGenius class challenges your child to become a better player and help them for their long-term athletic and soccer development. Offering proprietary programs for children 18 months old and up, in their 20,000 square foot indoor soccer centre.

Calgary Minor Soccer Association

The Calgary Minor Soccer Association is the parent organization that oversees all of the area’s minor soccer clubs. Their website has a great page outlining how to register your child in local soccer. The outdoor season in Calgary is on the short side, but indoor soccer is very popular over the winter!

Gymnastics

Flexibility, grace, strength and focus… all part of learning and practicing gymnastics. If your child has been wowed by the gymnasts at this summer’s Olympic games in Rio, why not get them learning some moves of their own at a local gym?

When it’s cold outside, she can throw these cute Firefly Granby All-Over Print Girls’ Leggings over her leotard and then stash them in her adidas Pace Backpack when she gets to the gym!

 

Calgary Gymnastics Centre

Now with two locations in Calgary (Canada Olympic Park and Country Hills Blvd NE), Calgary Gymnastics Centre strives to develop physical literacy and create a life-long love for health and physical fitness in their students. With gymnastics programs starting as young as 4 years old.

Gymtastics Gym Club

From preschool to recreational to competitive programs, the coaching philosophy at Gymtastics concentrates on each individual’s personal growth: emotionally, mentally and physically. Kids can start as young as 18 months old.

Basketball & Volleyball

Both team sports, basketball and volleyball are great options for cold-weather indoor sports, plus kids will enjoy the social benefits of being part of a team. Starting early will give your kids an advantage when they want to join school teams later in their school years!

She’ll feel light on her feet in the Nike Revolution 3 Girls’ Grade-School Running Shoes, thanks to flex grooves channeled in the full-length foam midsole; they promote natural motion.

 

STRYKER Sports

STRYKER Sports, with its SUNS Basketball Academy, SUNS Higher Hoops advanced basketball, STARS (Basic) and Rising Stars (Advanced) Volleyball programs has programs for every level of player from 6 to 14 years old. Their programs are offered in locations across Calgary and in Okotoks.

STARS Basketball

Stars Basketball, located in the South Fish Creek Recreation Complex, offers multi-week basketball programs for kids in Kindergarten through Grade 9. STARS prides itself on fair play, positive attitudes, and character building related to self-esteem, self-respect and teamwork.

Genesis Basketball

Located in SE Calgary, Genesis Basketball is a grassroots program that offers player development programs for boys and girls 5 and older. Their coaches are not only former University and College players but also teachers, mentors and role models; the club has a great mini training facility called The LAB.

Climbing & Bouldering

Kids climbing the walls at home? Put all that energy to good use with a course in climbing or bouldering. These sports, in addition to being great physical exercise and strength builders, will teach your kids valuable lessons in self-confidence, creative problem solving, focus and taking reasonable risks to achieve their goals.

Kids will work up a sweat climbing, so keep them in cool in this Firefly Blackstone Boys’ Graphic Tee or Under Armour I Do All Things With Heart Girls’ Tank.

 

Calgary Climbing Centre

With four locations in Calgary, the Calgary Climbing Centre offers a myriad of climbing classes for the whole family. And if your kids aren’t ready to commit to a full program, they can try it out during a 2-hour drop-in for 4-14 year olds. Registered programs start at age 6 and the centre has competitive teams too.

YMCA Calgary

Climbing is available at YMCA Calgary‘s Saddletowne, Shawnessy and South Health Campus locations. From 4 years old up to teens, kids and youth can learn all there is to know about this great sport and strive for personal improvement!

The Crux Climbing & Bouldering

One of the tallest climbing gyms in North America, The Crux still caters to the shorter set, offering kids’ programs like introductory lessons, kids’ drop-in times (complete with supervision) and even a recreational/developmental Junior Climbing Team.

Aquatics

In addition to being excellent cardiovascular exercise and easy on the joints (so you can do it your whole life long), the ability to swim is critical to staying safe when you love to spend recreation time on or around any body of water. Get your kids on the right track with swim lessons, and/or recreational or competitive swim clubs.

If your son is a bit chilled by the time he climbs out of the water, warm him up in the soft but stylish Under Armour Storm Fleece Highlight Boys’ Hoodie.

 

Recreational & Competitive Swim Clubs

Swim clubs abound in Calgary. Whether focused on producing competent swimmers who love to compete against their own personal goals, or competitive swimmers who live to race others to the other end of the pool, they will all help your kids become better swimmers. Swim Alberta has a great list of Swim Clubs in Alberta, sorted by city.

Calgary Aquabelles Synchronized Swimming Club

With 50 years of synchronized swimming excellence (including producing a number of world and Olympic champions!), the Aquabelles coaches are some of the best in the sport and the Club prides itself on teaching proper technique and fundamentals to ensure your child reaches their personal best. For kids aged 7+.

Calgary Elite Synchro

From pre-competitive (introductory) to national competitive programs, Calgary Elite Synchro strives to develop technically sound, well rounded synchronized swimmers. The club fosters a positive and competitive environment where all girls are given the tools to reach their own specific goals. For ages 6+.

 

1. Under Armour girls’ “I Do All Things with Heart” Tank,  2. Firefly girls Granby all over print legging, 3. Nike Revolution Sneakers, 4. adidas Pace Backpack, 5. UA Hustle II Backpack,  6. adidas boys’ urban football tiro pant, 7. Firefly boys blackstone graphic tee,  8. Armour Fleece Storm Highlight Hoodie