Getting kids active through sports is the focus of the latest edition of the Calgary Conversations podcast.
Sport Hub is a new, community-centered program that brings fun, inclusive and coach-led sport lessons directly to schools and communities for kids and teens aged 5 to 18.
“It’s all about reducing barriers to access,” said Brett Wittingham, leader of recreation programs at The City. “We acknowledge that families, kids and teens might experience barriers around accessing recreation opportunities, whether that’s transportation or financial and this aims to help them through our free or low-cost programs.”
Sport Hub is designed to reduce common barriers to sport participation, including cost, equipment and limited opportunities to try different activities. Working alongside sport organizations, school boards, community collaborators and funders such as United Way of Calgary and Area and Jumpstart, the program delivers high-quality sport lessons where kids and teens already learn and play – right in their neighbourhood.
Monique Blough, director of children and youth strategies at United Way, said the benefits of the program go beyond physical well-being.
“Sport and recreation are strong prevention aspects and increase well-being and connection,” said Blough. “It also creates a sense of belonging. It helps kids increase their confidence.”
Wittingham says the popularity of the program is taking off.
“We launched in May 2025 in about ten communities,” said Wittingham. “This year we’re adding 36 more communities. We have made some tremendous impact in quite a short period. We soft-launched in May 2025 and since then, we’ve actually reached 20,000 kids and teens through over 100 programs.”
What makes Sport Hub unique is its collaborative delivery model. The City works closely with sport organizations to provide lessons in the sports they specialize in. By bringing coaching expertise and sports equipment into community settings, the program helps kids and teens build skills, confidence and a lifelong connection to sport.
The range of sports for participants to explore is vast and includes basketball, soccer, badminton and tennis but also some sports that many would never have a chance to try out including cricket, fencing, wrestling and lacrosse.
Check out the full podcast here or wherever you download your favourite podcasts. Check out past episodes at calgary.ca/our-city/podcast.html.
For more information about Sport Hub or to register kids and teens for upcoming lessons, visit calgary.ca/SportHub.