Guides and pathways
Practical guides from our editors, each with a last-reviewed date and sources. Editor visits never count toward parent ratings.
- GuideIce hockeyHow Minor Hockey Works in BC: Associations, Age Divisions, House and RepLower Mainland kids register with the minor hockey association for their address and play by birth year. 2026–27 house fees run $300–$1,490 a season, and rep (A) teams add tryout and rep fees. Structure, calendar, entry programs, equipment and extra costs explained.Reviewed 2026-10-30
- GuideSwimmingHow Youth Swimming Works in BC: From City Lessons to Swim ClubsGreater Vancouver city pools teach the Lifesaving Society's Swim for Life levels ($26–$245 per set), and Swim BC clubs take new swimmers after an assessment ($80–$519 a month). Levels, club entry, the meet calendar and costs explained.Reviewed 2026-10-30
- GuideWhat Sport at What Age? A Stage-by-Stage Guide for Ages 3–18 (with Greater Vancouver Prices)Using Canada's Sport for Life Long-Term Development stages: what kids should focus on at each age, where true beginners can start in Greater Vancouver, how much weekly time it takes, typical prices, and when it makes sense to specialize. Prices come from our October 2026 survey.Reviewed 2026-10-30
- Guide8 Youth Sports Myths Parents Believe (and What to Do Instead)Specializing early, rep teams only, expensive gear, more training, skipping sleep, picking clubs by trophies, tryouts as the only path, and fees that seem all-in. Each myth is checked against Canadian official guidance and our October 2026 survey of Greater Vancouver programs.Reviewed 2026-10-30
- GuideChoosing a Sport for Your Child: Basketball, Soccer, Volleyball, Swimming or Badminton?Compare five popular youth sports in Greater Vancouver on starting age, weekly time, cost, equipment, team vs. individual play, injury considerations and local availability.Reviewed 2026-10-20
- GuideBasketballHow Youth Basketball Works in BC: A Parent's Guide for Greater VancouverCommunity programs, house leagues, academies, club teams with tryouts and school teams: how youth basketball fits together in BC, how age groups work, and what to ask a club.Reviewed 2026-10-20
- GuideSoccerHow Youth Soccer Works in BC: House League, Select Teams and BCSPLA plain-language guide to youth soccer in Greater Vancouver: birth-year age groups, small-sided games, house vs. select levels, the BCSPL, seasons and what to ask a club.Reviewed 2026-10-20
- GuideVolleyballHow Club Volleyball Works in BC: Tryouts, Age Groups and OffersBC club volleyball runs January to May, tryouts happen in November–December, and accepting an offer commits you for the season. Here's the timeline, age groups, school and beach volleyball.Reviewed 2026-10-20
- GuidePaying for Youth Sports in Greater Vancouver: Grants, Subsidies and Ways to SaveHow KidSport, Canadian Tire Jumpstart and city programs in Vancouver, Richmond, Burnaby and Surrey work, what fees to expect, and practical ways to lower the cost of youth sports.Reviewed 2026-10-20
- GuideBefore You Sign Up: 10 Questions to Ask a Youth Sports ClubA checklist for Greater Vancouver parents: full costs, refunds, coach checks, practices, playing time, tryouts, communication, safe sport, trial classes, and what if your child isn't picked.Reviewed 2026-10-20
- GuideUnderstanding Coach Credentials in Canada: NCCP, Police Checks, Safe Sport and the Rule of TwoWhat NCCP 'trained' and 'certified' mean, how criminal record and vulnerable sector checks differ, what Safe Sport training and the Rule of Two cover, and what our coach badges show.Reviewed 2026-10-20