Guides and pathways
Practical guides from our editors, each with a last-reviewed date and sources. Editor visits never count toward parent ratings.
- 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
- GearBasketballHow to Choose Kids' Basketball Shoes by Age and SizeSelection criteria, not model picks: how to measure, how much growth room to leave, indoor vs. outdoor outsoles, what research says about high-tops, when to replace, buying used, and a checklist.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
- PathwaysSports and School Pathways in BC: High School Teams, Academies and University SportHow BC high school sport and district academies work, how U SPORTS and CCAA compare with NCAA, NAIA and NJCAA, and the realities of athletic scholarships and recruiting.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