Last week was no ordinary week for our Wolves U17 Boys soccer team, as Olympic gold medallist and Member of Parliament serving as the Secretary of State for Sport, Adam Van Koeverden, came to visit!

He brought along colleagues and fellow MPs as well as some wisdom, and soccer skill on the pitch, he took part in training drills and a scrimmage at the East Soccer Centre!

Barrier-Free After-School Sport & Social Development
Free to Play is a no-cost, daily after-school program for Grades 3 to 6 at 26 high-needs schools in Edmonton. Each session combines sport, mentorship, and Social Emotional Learning (SEL), with a focus on physical literacy, mental wellness, and equity.

Daily: Sport, SEL, and snack until 5:00 PM.
Weekly: Food literacy with take-home hampers.
Always: Free registration, coaching, equipment, and transportation.

Free to Play creates inclusive, nurturing environments where all children—regardless of background, ability, or neurodiversity—can grow and belong.

Fueling Kids Through Food Literacy and Security

Food to Play addresses food insecurity by integrating nutrition education into Free Play’s after-school programming. Children take part in a weekly food literacy class where they learn foundational food knowledge, dietary habits, and lifestyle habits. In the food literacy class, they learn how to make a recipe and take home a food hamper with ingredients and recipes they can recreate at home. Every child also receives a daily healthy snack!

• Impact: Teaches kids critical food skills, fosters independence, and supports family food security.

Welcome to Play supports recently arrived refugee families during their first stages of resettlement in Edmonton. For children, youth, and parents in hotels or transitional housing, the program provides safe, trauma-informed daily adventures—from recreation centres to museums—that help families feel welcome and build belonging.

Children (6–12): Daily outings with games, crafts, and exploration.
Youth (12–18): Connected to leadership opportunities through Play to Lead.
Parents/Adults: Join activities and access referrals to adult programs.

We aim to reduce stress, support mental health, and create community connections through play!

Competitive Sport Meets Community & Leadership
The Wolves Athletic Club, an evolution of Free Play’s Play to Lead program, brings together youth in Grades 6–12 through organized teams in basketball, soccer, and ball and ice hockey. Competing in city-wide leagues, Wolves blend high-quality coaching with leadership development, mental health support, and pathways to employment.

Belong: Inclusive, no-judgment community.
Lead: Mentorship, youth leadership, and coaching experience.
Succeed: Resume-building, job skills, and connections to post-secondary and employment.

With 7 soccer teams, 4 ball hockey teams, 3 ice hockey teams, and 4 basketball teams, Wolves engage 300+ youth—building confidence, identity, and lifelong friendships on and off the field.

Outdoor soccer takes our Wolves Athletics U17 T2 all over #YEG including Matt Berry park in the North East for a perfect night in a tight 2-1 win over Inter. ⚽️

This summer, join us at the Clareview Rec Centre on Tuesday nights from 6:30 pm-8:00 pm for our FREE Girls Multi-Sport Program (Ages 9-13) . A fun and empowering space where girls can get active, build confidence, and connect through sport.

Led by female mentors and role models, participants will be coached by passionate leaders who create a space that encourages teamwork, growth, and self-belief.

 Play for Kids is seeking enthusiastic Head Coaches to join our Free to Play program on a part-time basis starting at the end of August 2025 for the 2025–2026 elementary school year. If you excel at engaging with children and possess exceptional interpersonal skills, we want you on our team.

METRO ZOOMIN EDMONTON is a welcoming social running group based in downtown Edmonton. The group meets every Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Royal Glenora Stairs; both new and experienced runners are invited to join for fitness, friendship, and fun! 

This initiative is not managed by us, but it can be an interesting option if you so choose!

The Wolves Hockey Club kicked off their summer practices this week in preparation for the Ice District Classic tournament! We are excited to have our Wolves playing on the Oilers' doorstep at Fan Park later this summer!

While the U11 North team came out on top 🏆, our U13 North and U11 West/South teams also had strong showings, battling hard but falling just short in their semifinal matchups.

All of our teams showed heart, hustle, and growth throughout the BHE Season and now are setting their sights on the upcoming Ice District Classic 3-on-3 Tournament this August!

The journey continues — Go Wolves!

Congratulations to the U11 North Team on winning the BHE U11C Championship! 🏆

7 of today’s 10 players came through our Free to Play program at St. Francis of Assisi—including Nika, a longtime participant who had a goal, a few assists, and sealed the 8–7 win with a clutch faceoff in the 3rd!

Shout-out to our Wolves and St. Francis Free to Play coaches, Dorian Hall and Amitpaul Grewal, who’ve been with most of this group since September!

Congratulations to our U11 Girls South team and our U11 Boys South team for advancing to the City Finals, taking place June 30 – July 6, 2025, at EMSA Main complexes! We're proud of your hard work and dedication — good luck!

As the year comes to an end, the kids got to celebrate their fellow teammates and their coaches at our year end ceremony. All of us at Free Play look forward to seeing many familiar and new faces when we return in September!

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!